Module Objective: To develop the competencies necessary to therapeutically engage with people and their family, friends and/or supporters within the context of a holistic mental health assessment & to learn to identify appropriate, evidence-based approaches when working with people who experience mental distress. An emphasis will be placed on the importance of applying theory to inform therapeutic skills, advanced assessment strategies, formulation of shared treatment goals, and effective inter-disciplinary communication in a clinical context.

Module Content: Advanced assessment skills: use of effective communication and engagement skills, bio-psycho-social-spiritual and cultural assessment, integration of recovery principles, standardised methods and tools of assessment, strengths based assessment, multi-disciplinary assessment, risk assessment, recovery assessment ,understanding the application, meaning and impact of diagnosis & working with medication. Formulation of collaborative treatment plan, presentation skills and multi-disciplinary working. This module will also examine attitudes values and responses towards people who experience mental distress and will examine the involvement of different agencies and family, friends and/or supporters in caring with the person who experiences mental distress.

 

Content in this module incorporates assessment approaches and interventions in the following areas: 

• Trauma informed care
• Strengths based assessment, power threat meaning framework 
• Substance misuse and dual diagnosis
• Shared decision making and medication management
• Self-harm and suicide
• Bio-psycho-social assessment and diagnosis