Course Spotlight: ASPM Focused Psychological Strategies Skills Training (Level 2)
August 11, 2024
Australian Society for Psychological Medicine
Imagine a medical community where practitioners are not only skilled in diagnosing physical ailments but are also adept at addressing the psychological and emotional dimensions of their patients’ health. This is the vision of the Australian Society for Psychological Medicine (ASPM). ASPM is a dynamic and responsive organisation that values trauma-informed, strengths-focused, and culturally respectful approaches to patient care.
ASPM believes in the power of generalist care that encompasses the whole person—body, mind, and spirit. Its members, ranging from GPs and medical specialists to those with advanced training in mental health, are committed to holistic, relationship-centred practice. Practitioners who have joined ASPM align themselves with a community that honours the wisdom of its senior members while fostering innovative, peer-led learning experiences.
ASPM’s upcoming professional development courses are designed to enhance practitioners’ skills and support them in the emotionally demanding work of general practice. These courses are not just about gaining new knowledge; they are about connecting with peers, sharing experiences, and growing together in the ability to provide compassionate, comprehensive care. Whether seeking to deepen understanding of psychological medicine or looking for new strategies to support patients’ overall well-being, ASPM’s offerings are tailored to meet diverse needs.
Focused Psychological Strategies Skills Training (Level 2)
ASPM offers an acclaimed and accredited Focused Psychological Strategies Level Two Training developed for GPs by GPs with a primary focus on the practical aspects of mental health care delivery in general practice. Coming up in August 2024, this course features the likes of Dr Naomi Rutten and Dr Susan Barnett with tailored and impactful professional development for your everyday practice.
The training is delivered online over 14 hours, with an additional 6 hours of predisposing activities and 1 hour of reinforcing activities. The 14 hours of workshop sessions are conducted via Zoom across Saturday and Sunday. Numbers are capped to ensure good quality small group discussion and practical learning – so register as soon as you can. Your registration enables us to continue to offer high quality training ‘for GPs by GPs’, and to build the strength of our organisation to serve GPs who highly value whole person care and Generalist Mental Health clinical skills training.
Their training introduces foundational knowledge and skills that are important for providing psychological care to your patients. We also recommend various resources for further learning. Participants are eligible to receive 21 hours of CPD in the current triennium.
A wide variety of resources and self-help activities are provided, all of which are high quality, online and free to access; most of these come from the rich suite of resources produced by universities and other Mental Health Research and Advocacy organisations in Australia. In addition, a comprehensive reading list is provided for those who wish to develop greater depth in particular areas of interest.
The training is highly interactive and very practical. It is suitable for all GPs with an interest in Mental Health from Registrars to the very experienced, and many of the skills are also transferable to other areas of General Practice. We encourage contributions from and interaction between our participants, and we always learn from attendees at each workshop. Our trainers are GPs and ASPM is dedicated to supporting our GP colleagues in this way.
CPD for Your Practice
The Focused Psychological Strategies Skills Training (Level 2) equips GPs with essential skills for providing effective psychological care. Participants will learn to select and demonstrate evidence-based FPS interventions tailored to the consumer issues and needs outlined in the GPMHTP. The course emphasises the importance of incorporating the lived experiences and needs of consumers, their carers, and their network, ensuring a comprehensive approach to mental health care.
Participants will also discuss the use of practice systems and strategies to deliver safe and holistic mental health care within the general practice context. The training encourages the engagement in regular supervision and other professional development activities to maintain and extend skills in FPS provision. Additionally, the course covers the appropriate use of MBS item numbers related to mental health care in general practice.
To participate in this training, you must have completed Mental Health Skills Training Level 1. Full attendance across both days of the workshop is required, along with the completion of compulsory Predisposing and Reinforcing activities.
The cost for ASPM members is $1450 plus GST, while non-members will pay $1650 plus GST. This course is accredited with both the RACGP and ACRRM for CPD hours, offering participants a valuable opportunity to enhance their professional qualifications.
This training, designed for GPs by GPs, not only provides foundational knowledge and skills but also offers a range of high-quality, online, and free resources from universities and mental health organisations in Australia. With interactive and practical sessions, it is suitable for all GPs interested in mental health, from registrars to experienced practitioners. The skills gained are also transferable to other areas of general practice, making this an invaluable course for any GP committed to whole-person care.
For more information or to register your interest, head to https://app.medcpd.com/courses/4142
