Level 2 training: Focussed Psychological Strategies Skills Training (FPS ST)

Focussed Psychological Strategies (FPS) are specific mental health care treatments, derived from evidence-based psychological therapies. At the time of publication, they include:

• cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), including behavioural interventions and cognitive interventions
• interpersonal therapy (ITP)
• psychoeducation, including motivational interviewing
• relaxation strategies, including progressive muscle relaxation and controlled breathing
• narrative therapy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
• eye-movement desensitisation reprocessing (EMDR)
• skills training, including training in problem-solving, anger management, social skills, communication, stress management and parent management

For an up-to-date list of recognised FPS interventions, visit MBS online http://www9.health.gov.au/mbs/fullDisplay.cfm?type=note&qt=NoteID&q=AN.0.57

Under the Better Access initiative, GPs who are registered FPS providers can use a range of these recognised FPS interventions.
 

Objectives of FPS ST

In the context of general practice, FPS ST aims to:

• enhance your knowledge and skills attained in MHST
• develop your skills in providing evidence-based psychological interventions for common mental health illnesses
• give you insight into the perspective of people who have a lived experience of a mental illness
• give you insight into the perspective of non-professional carers caring for people living with mental illness

 

FPS ST courses based on CBT and IPT

Table 3 shows the skills that are covered in GPMHSC-accredited FPS ST.

 

Table 3. Focussed Psychological Strategies skills training courses

Courses based on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)

Courses based on interpersonal therapy (IPT)

These courses will provide skills in the following strategies, and may provide those shown as optional: psycho-education motivational interviewing theory and principles underlying CBT behavioural interventions: behaviour modifications activity scheduling (optional) exposure techniques (optional) cognitive interventions: cognitive analysis, thought challenging and cognitive restructuring self-instructional training, attention regulation and control (optional) relaxation strategies skills training (such as training in problem- solving, communication, parent management and stress management)

These courses will provide skills in the following strategies, and may provide those shown as optional: psycho-education motivational interviewing (optional) theory and principles underlying IPT, mental illnesses linked to four types of relationship difficulties (loss, role dispute, role transitions and interpersonal deficits) IPT training: explores consumer’s perceptions, expectations of others and relationships identifies problems with relationships uses the patient’s affect to bring about change problem-solves to achieve a resolution of relationship issues includes communication analysis and training includes role-play changed behaviour looks at use of the therapeutic relationship

 

Prerequisite

MHST Primary Pathway or MHST Modular Pathway.
 

Requirements

You must complete:

• a minimum of 12 hours of face-to-face or live/interactive contact time (delivered over consecutive weekdays or a weekend)
• an additional interactive structured learning course of a minimum of eight hours
• a predisposing component
• a reinforcing component

 

Learning outcomes

After completing the FPS ST, you will be able to, in the context of general practice:

• select and demonstrate evidence-based FPS interventions appropriate to consumer issues and needs outlined in the GP MHTP
• provide FPS that incorporate the lived experience and needs of consumers, their carers and others in their network
• use practice systems and strategies to provide safe and holistic mental health care, including strategies that acknowledge and support your own self-care and wellbeing