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

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

What are Focussed Psychological Strategies (FPS)?

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
• 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.

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
• know and understand the value of:
  • regular professional supervision with a more experienced mental health professional
  • completing other professional development to maintain and extend your skills in providing FPS
• use MBS item numbers when providing mental health care.

Registering as a GP provider of FPS

After successfully completing FPS ST, you can register with Medicare as a GP provider of FPS and claim the relevant MBS item numbers for providing FPS in general practice.

Figure 2 outlines the steps to complete to register with Medicare as a GP provider of FPS and maintain your registration.

CPD, continuing professional development; FPS, Focussed Psychological Strategies; FPS ST, Focussed Psychological Strategies Skills Training; MBS, Medicare Benefits Schedule

Figure 2. Education required to be a registered GP provider of FPS
 

Useful GPMHSC resources Focussed Psychological Strategies Skills Training.  Registering with Services Australia (Medicare) as a GP provider of FPS.