This programme trains Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners (PWP) working within Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) services. During the training you will gain the knowledge and skills to assess and engage patients who may present in IAPT services through referral from a Health Professional or through Self-Referral. You will learn how to undertake a disorder specific patient-centred assessment and how to support patients to use evidence-based Low Intensity CBT interventions in face to face, telephone, group and cCBT formats. You will also be taught about respecting and valuing individual differences and focus on diverse groups. Towards the end of the training you will consider your practice in context by understanding the differences between high and low intensity interventions.
Module 1: Engagement and Assessment in Low Intensity CBT
Module 1 is focused on developing the knowledge and skills of assessing and engaging patients who may present in IAPT services through referral from a Health Professional or through Self-Referral. You will learn: how to undertake a disorder specific patient-centred assessment; how screenings are undertaken in some services; how to conduct a comprehensive risk assessment; how to administer standardised assessment tools; how to give a probable diagnosis; how to come to a shared decision with the patient about next steps and how to give appropriate information about relevant treatment options. This module will teach you the necessary common factors to engage with patients and build therapeutic relationships. It will also instruct you in the specific factors required to assess in a Low Intensity CBT way. You will undertake skills practice for each phase of the assessment before engaging in roleplays of full sessions, beginning with introductory material before moving onto more challenging scenarios. This staggered approach will gradually introduce you to situations that you will experience in real life clinical practice, enabling you to feel confident and competent in your abilities.
The assessments in this module are:
- an OSCE undertaking a patient assessment,
- a 2,000-word reflective commentary assignment on your performance on the OSCE,
- an exam on disorder recognition, coding, and evidence-based treatment planning,
- outcomes that you will undertake in your clinical practice in IAPT, signed off by your supervisor and submitted in module 3.
Module 2: Evidence-Based Low Intensity CBT Interventions
Module 2 is focused on developing the knowledge and skills required to support patients to use evidence-based Low Intensity CBT interventions in face to face, telephone, group, and CBT formats. You will learn to undertake a patient intervention session, from the first session of an intervention, through to each subsequent session and through to discharge. You will also learn how to use the COM-B model of behaviour change to inform treatment planning. The module aims to help you to feel confident and competent in managing any difficulties faced by patients in carrying out these interventions and maintaining the therapeutic relationship.
The assessments in this module are:
- an OSCE undertaking a patient intervention session at a stage in their treatment,
- a 2,000-word reflective commentary assignment on your performance on the OSCE,
- an in-class exam on evidence-based treatment intervention delivery and behaviour change,
- and outcomes that you will undertake in your clinical practice in IAPT, signed off by your supervisor and submitted in module 3.
Module 3: Diversity, Values and Context in Low Intensity CBT
Module 3 is focused on respecting and valuing individual differences, focusing on diverse groups and ways in which we may need to augment our role to meet individual needs and overcome any barriers towards accessing services. To consider the context in practice, you will learn the differences between high and low intensity interventions as well as considering the use of supervision and power within the therapeutic relationship. You will learn how to augment your interventions and assessments when working with patients with long term conditions (LTCs), sensory impairments, those over 65, people from BAME groups or where there are language, cultural, employment, or sexuality considerations. It aims to equip you with an understanding of the complexity of people’s health, social and occupational needs and the services which can support people to recovery. It will develop your decision-making abilities and enable you to use supervision and recognise when and where it is appropriate to seek further advice, a step up or a signposted service. The module retains the interactive feel of the first two modules, with a balance of skills practice to enhance your confidence in working with these groups.
The assessments in this module are:
- A live recording from practice (audio or video) of a full LI-CBT treatment session with a patient from your caseload with an area of diversity.
- a 2,500-word reflective diversity case report of how you have worked with the patient from the live diversity recording,
- In addition, to complete the training, the portfolio you have been building throughout the course will be submitted. The portfolio will contain: the log of your clinical practice time which is now recorded electronically. The log of your hours of case management and clinical skills supervision. The practice-based outcomes for each module and evidence for how you have achieved these; your updated SP/SR blogs with an action plan for your future practice as a qualified PWP.
