Overview

This webinar examines impulsivity as a multidimensional process rather than a single trait or isolated behaviour, drawing together personality, cognitive, and behavioural perspectives into one working framework.

Participants are introduced to the distinction between functional and dysfunctional impulsivity, and to why the same underlying mechanisms that drive dysregulated behaviour can, in different contexts, support adaptive rapid decision-making.

The session traces impulsivity across its transdiagnostic footprint, examining its role within DSM-5 criteria for conditions including Binge Eating Disorder, Substance Use Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, ADHD, and Intermittent Explosive Disorder, while also situating it within every day, non-clinical experience. Two contrasting case comparisons anchor the clinical material: one exploring why identical diagnostic presentations can respond very differently to the same evidence-based intervention, and one illustrating how acute and quieter, more normalised impulsive patterns can both reflect the same underlying process operating at different intensities.

The webinar covers the pain-pleasure principle, delay discounting, and episodic future thinking as mechanisms behind impulsive choice, and introduces validated measurement tools, including the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, the Eysenck I7, and the UPPS-P, with an emphasis on assessing mechanism rather than severity alone.

The clinical throughline is formulation-led: matching intervention to the specific process maintaining the behaviour, rather than applying a general evidence-based protocol without first understanding what function the impulsivity is serving.

APS CPD-Approved

This activity has been assessed against the APS Standards for CPD activities and approved for its education quality. Learn more about the APS CPD Approval process.

Target audience

This webinar is suitable for psychologists, allied health professionals, and individuals interested in gaining a deeper understanding of impulsivity and its impact across both clinical and everyday contexts.

Level of Learning

Foundational/Intermediate. This activity is targeted to those new to the topic and those with some previous learning on the topic. This activity engages with transdiagnostic clinical models, formulation frameworks, and psychometric tools, and is best suited to practitioners with some existing clinical assessment experience.

Professional competencies for psychology

The Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) have updated the Professional competencies for psychology, effective 1 December 2025. This activity addresses Competency 1.

Duration of access

This webinar will be recorded and made available to registered participants at the conclusion of the session. Information on how to access the recording will be provided at the conclusion of the webinar.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this webinar, participants should be able to:

• differentiate functional from dysfunctional impulsivity and identify when rapid responding reflects adaptive capacity rather than dysregulation,
• recognise impulsivity as a transdiagnostic process, identifying its role across mood, personality, substance use, and impulse-control presentations, and
• apply a mechanism-based formulation approach, using measurement tools and case-level reasoning to match intervention selection to the specific process maintaining a client's impulsive presentation.

Presenter(s)

Dr Yuliya Richard

About the presenter(s)

Dr Yuliya Richard is a clinical psychologist and director of Blue Horizon Counselling, where she works with individuals in her private practice. She holds a Professional Doctorate in Clinical and Health Psychology from the University of Newcastle, alongside postgraduate qualifications in Psychology, Counselling and Psychotherapy, and Applied Psychology.
With more than 15 years of clinical experience, Dr Richard specialises in emotional, adjustment, and relationship challenges, with a particular focus on the psychological and physiological impacts of chronic stress and impulsive behaviour in high-responsibility, caregiving-intensive professions.
Dr Richard is also the creator of Impulsivity.com.au, an online training program supporting individuals experiencing impulsive behaviours, including addiction-related patterns. Originally from Ukraine, she brings a diverse academic background in philology, cross-cultural communication, and sociology, complemented by extensive experience working with charities and NGOs. Her practice is underpinned by a holistic approach to wellbeing, integrating social, emotional, physical, cultural, occupational, spiritual, and psychological dimensions. She is passionate about helping individuals build sustainable wellbeing while fostering longevity, resilience, and fulfilment in both their personal and professional lives. Dr Richard is an Associate Member of the Australian Psychological Society, a member of the Australian Clinical Psychology Association, and serves on the APS Interest Group for Culture and Psychology Committee.

Website/s

https://bluehorizoncounselling.com.au/