Rumination: Managing
Over-analysis Without Action
Live Online 3hr CPD Workshop for Mental Health Professionals
Course Overview
This 3-hour interactive workshop supports practitioners to work effectively with clients who present with overthinking, indecision, self-criticism, and perfectionism.
Rather than viewing rumination as simply “overthinking,” this training introduces a psychologically informed framework that understands rumination as a threat-based protection response — where thinking is used to manage uncertainty and maintain control.
You’ll learn how excessive analysis, fear of getting it wrong, and intolerance of uncertainty can block action and reinforce distress. The focus is practical and clinically grounded — helping you interrupt cognitive spirals, reduce paralysis, and support clients to move into meaningful behavioural change without triggering overwhelm or shame.
What will this training give you?
Clear understanding of rumination as a coping pattern
Practical strategies to interrupt overthinking cycles
Confidence working with indecision and perfectionism
Skills to shift clients from analysis into action
Tools to support “good enough” decision-making
A framework to differentiate productive reflection from unhelpful rumination
Learning Objectives
Identify rumination and distinguish it from problem-solving
Recognise behavioural and cognitive indicators of over-analysis and indecision
Assess how fear of uncertainty and imperfection maintains inaction
Apply structured, action-focused communication to reduce paralysis
Demonstrate containment and redirection strategies in-session
Integrate behavioural experimentation into clinical practice
Assessment / Evidence of Learning
Learning is evidenced through active participation in guided reflection activities, clinical discussion, and practical exercises during this live workshop.
Participants demonstrate learning through:
Identification of coping patterns in vignette material
Appropriate formulation of over-care and self-neglect dynamics
Use of values-aligned, guilt-sensitive language in role-play
Demonstration of boundary-supportive communication skills
Participants receive a certificate of attendance for 3 CPD hours.
About the Presenter
Karen Bartle is a postgraduate in Health Psychology, Advanced Clinical Hypnotherapist, clinical supervisor, co-founder of the Academy of Advanced Changework, founder of HealthTalk Psychology, and co-author of The Advanced Hypnotherapist.
With 25+ years’ experience, Karen supports practitioners working with complex behavioural and relational patterns. She is known for translating psychological depth into practical, usable clinical skills.
Who is this course for?
Practitioners working with clients who:
Overthink decisions or go “in circles”
Struggle with indecision or second-guessing
Experience high self-criticism or perfectionism
Feel stuck despite high insight or knowledge
Delay action due to fear of getting it wrong
Especially relevant for work with anxiety, stress-related behaviours, eating patterns, and high-functioning clients who appear “capable but stuck.”
Course Feedback
"Thank you for an excellent and informative and affirming workshop. It was so good to notice how the interventions largely stacked with how I have learnt to manage my own struggles in this area - right down to "write anything" to start a uni assignment. I've had my days where I could not start writing unless I began by writing about the frustration of not being able to start writing and what it was I was trying to convey!"
"I've really enjoyed your training, and how you present the topics. Very Professional, calm and insightful."
"I really enjoyed the workshop and have two coworkers attending your next one!"
"The training was rich in content and strategies, was also interactive which is always good. I enjoyed it and found it beneficial."
"Thankyou for such an amazing webinar. It was extremely helpful and informative."
"Thank you for the PD Session and the subsequent handouts/resources and certificate; much appreciated."
“Thanks so much for the workshop. I really enjoyed it. I got a lot of great tips and skills to use”
"An interesting presenter and gentle presentation and that in itself taught me something about her values and how to be with clients. I was reminded of the care that is needed to assist vulnerable clients hoping for some changes."
“I really enjoyed learning more about this topic of creating a safe space for clients. It allowed me to reflect upon the clients I have worked with as a therapist, also as a client myself - working with therapists who were not safe, and who also broke rapport with me.”
"Thankyou, Karen. This session was excellent!"
“The quality of content, course organisation, course documents, and ability to sustain my interest were all great.”
“An interesting and thought-provoking session”
“The course developed my skills…and the quality of communications and explanation of what was expected were very good”
"Thank you for your authentic presentation, affirming discussions and inclusive time with this group. Beautiful values and ideas presented today and modelling of what a safe and genuinely person-centred therapist is like."
“Clients can feel gaslit that it was somehow their ‘fault’ things didn’t work with their therapist. Clients come to therapists for help, and the gravity of this shone through with this cpd.”
"I genuinely enjoyed the speaker and appreciated the material, thank you."
"Practical, relatable and immediately applicable. This training has transformed the way I work with clients who seem 'checked out'."
“Tutor approachability was very good and I felt valued during the workshop”
“I enjoyed learning about and reflecting on all the reasons why clients are ‘resistant’ (which I see now can be a brilliant subconscious protection mechanism) …and how I cannot control all of these reasons, but I can remember the importance of creating a safeherapy space.“
"I learned the importance of your own regulation and the ability to sit in the stillness and silence."
"I feel I know how to recognise this now and that I .have so many things I can say (or not say!?)"
"I learned the importance of helping them stay safe."
"I feel I know how to recognise this now and that I have so many things I can say (or not say!?)"
"I learned to remember to reaffirm autonomy"
"I recognise that silence is not always a bad thing"
"I'll remember to not to worry if we go slow & the client stops talking."
"Love the idea of lowering urgency in a session to rebuild trust."
"Not to be in a rush to ease their discomfort but always make them feel safe"
"Use some non-threatening phrases rather than questions to move the session along
Debbie Hill
Paul and Karen operate their business with sincerity and integrity. They are professional, warm, embracing, fun and brave individuals with a wealth of shared training, education and therapeutic experience.
Kirstie Nicholson
I can't speak highly enough of both Karen and Paul. They're very experienced, knowledgeable and SO supportive.
Clare Longstaffe
Karen and Paul have a down to earth, friendly approach and are experts in their field. Their work is infused with professional integrity and I can thoroughly recommend their courses to those interested in this path.
