New online course: Supporting children in general practice using focused psychological strategies

General practitioners (GPs) are often the first point of contact for families when they have concerns about their children’s mental health. This makes GPs well-placed to engage with children and parents about children’s wellbeing.

This new course is designed for GPs who wish to enhance their knowledge and skills in use of focused psychological strategies (FPS) to support children aged 5–12 years where mental health concerns are present. In addition to key techniques for establishing collaborative relationships with children and parents, the course explores implementing interventions and formulating treatment plans based on the FPS of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, psychoeducation and transdiagnostic approaches.

The course has been created for GPs who have completed their level two FPS skills training (FPS ST) and are registered GP providers of FPS. It will provide GPs with the continuing professional development (CPD) hours required to maintain FPS registration and ensure continued use of the Medicare (MBS) item numbers related to the provision of FPS. If you are yet to complete FPS ST, our online course Focused psychological strategies for children (5–12 years) will help you to obtain this registration.