Description
Presenter: Kristen Wesbecher
Overview.
Functional neurological disorder (FND) is a common and often disabling condition characterized by neurological symptoms arising from altered brain functioning rather than structural damage (Hallett et al., 2022). Despite advances in diagnosis and treatment, patients frequently experience delayed recognition, misunderstanding, and limited access to specialized care. Psychologists are increasingly central to FND treatment, yet formal training remains limited.
This webinar provides psychologists with a contemporary understanding of FND, emphasizing diagnosis through positive clinical signs, predictive-processing models, shared mechanisms across symptom subtypes, and the distinction between FND and feigning (Aybek & Perez, 2022; Silverberg & Rush, 2024). Using a biopsychosocial framework and clinical case example, we identify perpetuating factors that serve as targets for intervention. We review the evidence for cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and multidisciplinary rehabilitation, highlighting both promising outcomes and limitations (Goldstein et al., 2020; Gutkin et al., 2021; Macías-García et al., 2024; Poole et al., 2025).
Finally, we translate these concepts into practical clinical strategies, including communicating the diagnosis, developing individualized formulations, retraining attention, addressing maladaptive symptom predictions, and promoting functional recovery. Common treatment challenges, including psychiatric comorbidities, diagnostic disagreement, and relapse prevention, are also addressed.
Objectives.
- Describe the shared mechanisms of FND and explain how positive clinical signs support a rule-in diagnosis that is distinct from feigning.
- Apply the biopsychosocial 3P model (predisposing, precipitating, perpetuating factors) to formulate an FND case and identify perpetuating factors as treatment targets.
- Utilize evidence-informed CBT- and ACT-based strategies, including the diagnosis conversation, to treat patients with FND.
About the Presenter.
Kristen Wesbecher, PhD, is a clinical neuropsychologist with the Brown University Health Neuropsychology Service, where she conducts neuropsychological evaluations and supervises postdoctoral fellows, interns and practicum students. Her clinical and teaching work in FND focuses on treatment, including biopsychosocial case formulation, delivering the diagnosis, and CBT- and ACT-informed intervention, and she is developing a six-session brief-intervention manual for FND for trainees and clinicians. [Add degree/training institutions, licensure, and years of practice.
CE Information
1 hour of CE
Cost
FREE for MEMBERS
$40.00 for Non-Members
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