Practice strategies for formulation

This course is designed for practitioners who work with children and who draw on case formulation processes to inform their practice.

This includes accredited mental health professionals, such as psychiatrists, psychologists, paediatricians, mental health social workers, mental health nurses, mental health speech therapists and mental health occupational therapists.

This course recognises that these specialist practitioners:

• work with children and families in a variety of settings
• commonly have extensive experience with case formulation processes
• have diverse theoretical perspectives and practice approaches that inform these processes; and
• may be subject to agency or funder requirements when it comes to documenting case formulations.

As you progress through this course, you will reflect upon the elements of your own case formulation practices and develop your skills in:

• strengthening the current case formulation practices that reflect your interest in children’s participation
• identifying further opportunities for engaging children in case formulation
• drawing on a range of strategies for facilitating children’s participation in case formulation, including:

– how to create space for children’s perspectives on their presenting concerns

– how to ensure children’s strengths, skills, know-how and resiliencies are uncovered when considering predisposing, precipitating and perpetuating factors

– understanding the child’s perspective on what is preventing them from living their best life; and

– collaboratively documenting case formulations in ways that honour children’s experience.

It is estimated that this course will take you approximately two-and-a-half hours to complete, including reading material and watching videos.

You can undertake the course across multiple sessions at your own pace. The last screen you visit before logging off will be bookmarked and you will have the option of returning to that screen when you next log in.

The following video introduces you to the Practice strategies suite of online courses. It’s recommended that you complete Practice strategies for assessment and engagement before beginning this course, and finish this course before commencing Practice strategies for implementation.

A summary of the strategies covered in the three courses can be downloaded below.

As you work through the course, it is important to be aware of your own emotional responses. Please follow the self-care tips below and seek help if needed:

• We do not recommend undertaking the entire course in one sitting. Give yourself some breaks. Even if you don’t feel that you need a break, it’s a good idea to take one anyway and come back later.
• Be aware of your emotions as you progress through the course, and take action if you are starting to feel stressed or upset. For example, consider taking a break and doing something for yourself that you enjoy.
• Be aware of your emotional responses after you complete the course.

If at any point you find you are struggling, please talk with your supervisor, seek help, or call Lifeline on 13 11 14, Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, or SANE Australia on 1800 18 7263.

For the purposes of this course, the term parent encompasses the biological and adoptive parents of a child, as well as individuals who have chosen to take up a primary or shared responsibility in raising that child.

Social and emotional wellbeing refers to the way a person thinks and feels about themselves and others. It incorporates behavioural and emotional strengths and is a facet of child development.¹

In broad terms, social and emotional wellbeing is the foundation for physical and mental health for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It is a holistic concept which results from a network of relationships between individuals, family, kin and Community. It also recognises the importance of connection to Land, culture, spirituality and ancestry, and how these affect the individual.²

‘Social and emotional wellbeing’ is also used by some people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, who may have differing concepts of mental health and mental illness.³

Social and emotional development involves the development of skills required to:

• identify and understand one’s feelings
• read and understand the emotional states of other people
• manage strong emotions and how they are expressed
• regulate behaviour
• develop empathy; and
• establish and maintain relationships.⁴

This course draws on the latest research, clinical insights, and the lived experience of our child and family partners. We’d like to thank the professionals and families who played an integral role in shaping this course, generously offering their time, wisdom and unique perspectives.

Watch the following video for a quick guide on how to navigate Emerging Minds Learning courses.