Evidence Based Low Intensity Treatments for Common Mental Health Disorders

Teaching Responsibility

LJMU Schools involved in Delivery:

Psychology

Learning Methods

Lecture

Tutorial

Module Offerings

6112PSYPWP-DEC-CTY

6112PSYPWP-JAN-CTY

6112PSYPWP-MAY-CTY

Aims

In 6112PSYPWP (Module 2) - Trainee Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners (tPWP) will have the meta-competencies as outlined in the Digital Health Skills framework7 such as knowledge of psychological frameworks specific to the online therapeutic relationship (e.g., the online disinhibition effect, screen presence).

6112PSYPWP (Module 2) will equip tPWPs with a good understanding of the process of therapeutic support and the management of individuals and groups of patients and should include engagement where appropriate with families and carers. Skills teaching will develop tPWPs general and disorder- defined ‘specific factor’ competencies in the delivery of low- intensity treatments informed by cognitive-behavioural principles and in the support of medication concordance. Where trainees deliver groups, these should be based on evidence-based guided self-help linked to the interventions listed in the NHS Talking Therapies Manual.

PWPs must also be able to manage any change in risk status as introduced in 6111PSYPWP (Module 1) and in accordance with NICE Guidance. 6112PSYPWP (Module 2) will further help trainees understand the benefits to the patient of the NHS Talking Therapies metrics and be able to use the NHS Talking Therapies national outcomes monitoring system (which includes session-by- session symptom measures). This 6112PSYPWP (Module 2) will include how to use anxiety disorder specific measures to assess outcome and guide therapy and why the use of these outcome measures is important.

Learning Outcomes

Critically evaluate a range of evidence-based interventions and strategies to assist patients in managing their emotional distress and disturbance.

Demonstrate knowledge of, and competence in developing and maintaining a therapeutic alliance with patients during their treatment programme, including dealing with issues and events that threaten the alliance

Demonstrate competence in planning a collaborative low-intensity psychological treatment programme for common mental health problems, including appropriate frequency of contacts, managing the ending of contact and development of relapse prevention strategies.

Demonstrate understanding of and competence in selection of appropriate cases for low- intensity treatment, aligned to NICE guidance and the NHS Talking Therapies Manual. For example, people whose primary problem is social anxiety disorder or PTSD should only be offered a high intensity intervention

Demonstrate in-depth understanding of, and competence in, a range of low-intensity, evidence-based guided self-help psychological interventions where these are NICE recommended for anxiety disorders and depression, selecting one or more of these intervention strands10 delivered in an adequate dose for work with patients, linked to their goals: o Behavioural activation o Graded exposure o Cognitive restructuring (including behavioural experiments) o Worry management o Problem-solving o Promoting good Sleep o Promoting physical activity o Medication support

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of, and competence in using the COM-B behaviour change model and strategies in the delivery of low-intensity interventions.

Critically evaluate the role of case management and stepped care approaches to managing common mental health problems in primary care including ongoing risk management appropriate to service protocols and NICE guidance

Demonstrate knowledge of, and competence in supporting people with medication for common mental health problems to help them optimise their use of pharmacological treatment and minimise any adverse effects.

Demonstrate competence in delivering low-intensity interventions using a range of methods including one-to-one treatment (in person, via video consultation, via telephone, interactive text or computerised cognitive behavioural therapy (cCBT)) and guided self - help groups (in person and via video).

10.

Demonstrate competence in selecting and revising mode of delivery, as necessary on an ongoing basis depending on patient choice, suitability, etc.

11.

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding to map core skills into text-based interventions.

12.

Demonstrate competence in succinct and accurate note-taking skills

Module Content

Outline Syllabus:
Evidence based low Intensity interventions for depression and anxiety. Examples of interventions include providing support for a range of low-intensity self-help interventions (often with the use of written self-help materials) informed by cognitive-behavioural principles, such as behavioural activation, exposure, cognitive restructuring, panic management, problem solving, CBT-informed sleep management, and computerised cognitive behavioural therapy (cCBT) packages as well as supporting physical exercise, self-help groups and medication adherence. Methods of delivery which includes: support specifically designed to enable people to optimise their use of self-management recovery information and pharmacological treatments and which may be delivered individually or to groups of patients (psychoeducational groups) and through face-to-face, video, telephone, email or other contact methods. PWPs must also be able to manage any change in risk status. Session planning and subsequent sessions. Maintaining therapeutic alliances. Decision making. Case Management. Stepped Care. Managing the ending of contact.

Module Overview:
6112PSYPWP (Module 2) teaches Trainee Psychological Well Being Practitioners (tPWPs) to provide support for low-intensity psychological and pharmacological treatments for common mental health issues, emphasising patient self- management and behaviour change models. Trainees develop knowledge and competence in delivering these treatments and managing patients, including families and carers. They also learn to support medication adherence through various communication methods and understand the therapeutic support process, including risk assessment and management.

Course Catalogue