Postgraduate Certificate Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner

PWPs assess and support people with common mental health problems in the self-management of their recovery. To do so they must be able to undertake a range of patient-centred assessments and be able to identify the main areas of concern relevant to the assessment undertaken. They need to have knowledge and competence to be able to apply these in a range of different assessment formats and settings as well as via a range of delivery methods. These different elements or types of assessment include screening/triage assessment within an IAPT service; risk assessment; provisional diagnostic (problem descriptor) assessment; psychometric assessment (using the IAPT standardised symptom measures); problem focused assessment; and intervention planning assessment. In all these components of assessment they need to be able to engage patients and establish an appropriate relationship whilst gathering information in a collaborative manner. PWPs must have knowledge of mental health disorders, including complex and severe presentations and the suitable care pathways for these in order to facilitate onward referral. PWPs must also have knowledge of the evidence-based therapeutic options available for common mental health disorders and be able to communicate this knowledge in a clear and unambiguous way so that people can make informed treatment choices, within and beyond IAPT services. In addition, they must have knowledge of the COM-B behaviour change model and how this can inform choice of goals and interventions. This module will, therefore, equip PWPs with a good understanding of the incidence, prevalence and presentation of common mental health problems and evidence-based treatment choices. Skills teaching will develop PWPsÊ core ?common factorsÊ competencies of active listening, engagement, alliance building, patient-centred information gathering, information giving and shared decision making. Trainees will need to understand the benefits to patients of the IAPT metrics and be able to use the IAPT national outcomes monitoring system (which includes session-by-session symptom measures). Teaching in module 1 should include how to use anxiety disorder specific measures to support correct problem identification, and why the use of these outcome measures is important. Teaching should focus on taking a broad perspective when it comes to the use of IAPT measures to gain a holistic picture of the client.

This module aims to equip trainees as workers with a good understanding of the process of therapeutic support, and the basic skills and evidence-based techniques to enable patients to improve their psychological well-being, and to minimise the negative impact of symptoms associated with anxiety and depression. Trainees will be introduced to a range of low intensity interventions, including CBT based approaches to introductory level. These intervention skills will enable the trainees to operate as workers in a setting with high demand. The focus in this module is on promoting collaborative engagement between workers and their patients towards self-help, including self-management of prescribed medication. The importance of recognising the thresholds for “stepping up” and referring on is highlighted with the emphasis on the conceptual and practical means for supporting these decisions.

PWPs assess and support people with common mental health problems in the self-management of their recovery. To do so they must be able to undertake a range of patient-centred assessments and be able to identify the main areas of concern relevant to the assessment undertaken. They need to have knowledge and competence to be able to apply these in a range of different assessment formats and settings as well as via a range of delivery methods. These different elements or types of assessment include screening/triage assessment within an IAPT service; risk assessment; provisional diagnostic (problem descriptor) assessment; psychometric assessment (using the IAPT standardised symptom measures); problem focused assessment; and intervention planning assessment. In all these components of assessment they need to be able to engage patients and establish an appropriate relationship whilst gathering information in a collaborative manner. PWPs must have knowledge of mental health disorders, including complex and severe presentations and the suitable care pathways for these in order to facilitate onward referral. PWPs must also have knowledge of the evidence-based therapeutic options available for common mental health disorders and be able to communicate this knowledge in a clear and unambiguous way so that people can make informed treatment choices, within and beyond IAPT services. In addition, they must have knowledge of the COM-B behaviour change model and how this can inform choice of goals and interventions. This module will, therefore, equip PWPs with a good understanding of the incidence, prevalence and presentation of common mental health problems and evidence-based treatment choices. Skills teaching will develop PWPsÊ core ?common factorsÊ competencies of active listening, engagement, alliance building, patient-centred information gathering, information giving and shared decision making. Trainees will need to understand the benefits to patients of the IAPT metrics and be able to use the IAPT national outcomes monitoring system (which includes session-by-session symptom measures). Teaching in module 1 should include how to use anxiety disorder specific measures to support correct problem identification, and why the use of these outcome measures is important. Teaching should focus on taking a broad perspective when it comes to the use of IAPT measures to gain a holistic picture of the client.

This module aims to equip trainees as workers with a good understanding of the process of therapeutic support, and the basic skills and evidence-based techniques to enable patients to improve their psychological well-being, and to minimise the negative impact of symptoms associated with anxiety and depression. Trainees will be introduced to a range of low intensity interventions, including CBT based approaches to introductory level. These intervention skills will enable the trainees to operate as workers in a setting with high demand. The focus in this module is on promoting collaborative engagement between workers and their patients towards self-help, including self-management of prescribed medication. The importance of recognising the thresholds for “stepping up” and referring on is highlighted with the emphasis on the conceptual and practical means for supporting these decisions.

PWPs must be able to respond to people’s needs sensitively with regard to all aspects of diversity. They must demonstrate a commitment to equal opportunities for all and encourage people’s active participation in every aspect of care and treatment. They must also demonstrate an understanding and awareness of the power issues in professional / patient relationships and take steps in their clinical practice to reduce any potential for negative impact this may have. This module will, therefore, expose PWPs to the concept of diversity, inclusion and multiculturalism and equip workers with the necessary knowledge, attitudes and competencies to operate in an inclusive, values driven service. PWPs must be able to manage caseloads, operate safely to high standards, and use supervision to aid their clinical decision-making. PWPs need to recognise the limitations to their competence and role and direct people to resources appropriate to their needs, including step-up to high-intensity therapy, when beyond their competence and role. In addition, they must focus on social inclusion – including return to work and meaningful activity or other occupational activities – as well as clinical improvement.

PWPs must be able to respond to people’s needs sensitively with regard to all aspects of diversity. They must demonstrate a commitment to equal opportunities for all and encourage people’s active participation in every aspect of care and treatment. They must also demonstrate an understanding and awareness of the power issues in professional / patient relationships and take steps in their clinical practice to reduce any potential for negative impact this may have. This module will, therefore, expose PWPs to the concept of diversity, inclusion and multiculturalism and equip workers with the necessary knowledge, attitudes and competencies to operate in an inclusive, values driven service. PWPs must be able to manage caseloads, operate safely to high standards, and use supervision to aid their clinical decision-making. PWPs need to recognise the limitations to their competence and role and direct people to resources appropriate to their needs, including step-up to high-intensity therapy, when beyond their competence and role. In addition, they must focus on social inclusion – including return to work and meaningful activity or other occupational activities – as well as clinical improvement.