In the field of Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures (PNES, also known as functional or dissociative seizures), nothing is more important or necessary than delivering treatments that actually work, that therapists can learn quickly and confidently, and that remain truly accessible — both financially and in terms of the time commitment required.
What is one of the biggest problems in the field of PNES?
Too many patients receive a PNES diagnosis without receiving a simultaneous referral, only to face long waits and limited therapist expertise. As for therapists, many are treating their first and maybe their only PNES patient and would rather not have to invest in expensive, and time-consuming trainings and certifications.
This leaves individuals struggling with seizures, anxiety, depression, trauma, and daily functioning for so much longer than necessary.
A new treatment option is now available
Today, I’m excited to announce two new publications designed to resolve this problem in a number of ways:
PsychoEd for PNES Therapist Guide
PsychoEd for PNES Patient Workbook
What exactly is PsychoEd for PNES?
PsychoEd for PNES is a structured, 12-session psychoeducational program that provides clear education about PNES alongside practical skills for emotional regulation, seizure tracking and management, and psychological health. It was developed and refined through years of clinical work and was used as the comparison treatment in a recent pilot randomized controlled trial for patients with PNES and comorbid PTSD.
This program stands out because it delivers exactly what the field needs most:
- An effective treatment— It helps improve symptoms of anxiety, depression, and emotional dysregulation which are important in PNES improvement.
- Easy for therapists to learn and implement — The Therapist Guide offers session-by-session outlines, scripts, and practical tools so clinicians (even those new to PNES) can deliver the program with confidence.
- Accessible for patients — The Patient Workbook is filled with ready-to-use exercises, explanations, and worksheets that support self-paced learning and skill-building between sessions. The price has purposefully been kept low to reduce the financial burden on therapists and patients purchasing them.
Who These Resources Are For
- Therapists & Clinicians — Psychologists, neuropsychologists, counselors, social workers, psychiatrists, and other mental health professionals who want a ready-made, evidence-informed framework for treating PNES.
- Patients — Individuals diagnosed with PNES and PTSD who want a clear, empowering workbook to guide their recovery (alongside a therapist using the Guide).
- Treatment Programs & Clinics — Programs looking to expand their PNES services with a practical, scalable approach.
These companion books make it possible for more therapists to start working effectively with PNES patients and thus, fulfill the need of making tailored treatments for PNES available to more and more patients.
In the works: translations of the Therapist Guide and Patient Workbook in Spanish!