There is a growing provision for supporting the needs of those with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This masterclass is designed to support qualified PWPs to develop clinical competency and confidence with the effective assessment and treatment of mild to moderate mental health difficulties of patients with ASD. A range of engaging teaching methods are used throughout the day to provide an optimal engaging experience and to cater for different learning styles including lectures, small and large group discussions, individual reflection and skills practice. The content of the masterclass will cover understanding ASD and the unique needs of this patient group, the clinical presentation of patients with ASD and a common mental health disorder and how this may be different, what to look for in a step 2 assessment and how to differentiate common disorders patients with ASD can experience. It explores the evidence base, and adaptations needed for this patient group and different rationales for treatment, including therapeutic endings. It will also support practitioners to determine when a patient with ASD may need to be stepped up for step 3 interventions, or when they need external or even secondary care specialist support, and common difficulties encountered by patients and practitioners and how to overcome them.

The PWP training gives a solid basis for providing a structured, thorough step 2 assessment. This masterclass is designed to support qualified PWP’s to expand on these skills to a more advanced level, to provide optimal care for all patients, but particularly those whose presentations may not be straightforward. A range of engaging teaching methods are used throughout the day to provide an optimal engaging experience and to cater for different learning styles including lectures, small and large group discussions, individual reflection and skills practice. The content of the masterclass will cover the context and evidence-base surrounding the topic and defining complexity and understanding its development. A focus will be on recognising complex presentations and severe mental health disorders, how to effectively differentiate between them and how these can present in the context of a step 2 assessment. It will explore effective information gathering, information giving and resourcing when there is a complex or significant mental health/risk history, in a context of delivering trauma-informed care. Many PWP’s will need to make referrals to other services, like secondary care, so there will be exploration through reflecting on this experience and preparation for making effective referrals. It will also focus on some of the interpersonal difficulties PWP’s can encounter and struggle within the unique context of step 2 assessments, such as dealing with interpersonal difficulties within an assessment, knowing how to effectively give information if you aren’t sure the service can meet their needs, managing expectations and having difficult conversations.

The Panic disorder masterclass is designed to support qualified PWP’s to develop clinical competency and confidence with the effective assessment and treatment of mild to moderate presentations of panic disorder, utilizing two key step 2 interventions; cognitive restructuring and behavioural experiments. A range of engaging teaching methods are used throughout the day to provide an optimal engaging experience and to cater for different learning styles including lectures, small and large group discussions, individual reflection and skills practice. The content of the masterclass will cover what is panic disorder and the evidence surrounding its treatment in a Talking Therapies setting, the clinical presentation of patients who indicate panic disorder, what to look for in a step 2 assessment and how to differentiate it from other disorders. It explores the evidence-base, the rationale and the different stages of cognitive restructuring and behavioural experiments at Step 2, including the importance of effective psychoeducation. Finally, it will explore when cognitive restructuring and behavioural experiments are clinically indicated to use at step 2 (inclusion/exclusion criteria), when to step up for step 3 interventions and common difficulties encountered by patients and practitioners and how to overcome them.

Psychoeducational groups are an integral part of effective step 2 delivery. It is essential that groups are evidence-based and tailored to their audience and are delivered confidently by PWPs in a way that gives patients confidence and assurance they are getting a good quality treatment intervention for their difficulties. This masterclass is designed to support qualified PWPs to develop and expand skills with running groups to a more advanced level, and examine the key components needed to effectively run groups to provide optimal care for all patients. A range of engaging teaching methods are used throughout the day to provide an optimal engaging experience and to cater for different learning styles including lectures, small and large group discussions, individual reflection and skills practice. The content of the masterclass will cover topics like the background and evidence-base for groups at step 2, how to determine whether someone will benefit from a psychoeducational group, how to confidently ‘sell’ groups to a patient, how to deal with anxiety and ambiguity around groups (for patients and practitioners). It will also focus on how to develop your own evidence-based, engaging and effective group sessions and how this can help with an effectively run service. It will look at groups used in other contexts and what we can learn for a low-intensity context. There will be sections on how to upskill other PWPs to run groups and how to ensure group facilitation is part of all PWPs’ job role. It will examine some of the interpersonal difficulties PWPs can encounter in a group environment, managing expectations, having difficult conversations and common difficulties encountered by patients and practitioners and how to overcome them.

There is a huge focus nationally on supporting the needs of perinatal mental health, whether that be perinatal women, or their partners. This masterclass is designed to support qualified PWP’s to develop clinical competency and confidence with the effective assessment and treatment of mild to moderate mental health difficulties of perinatal patients. A range of engaging teaching methods are used throughout the day to provide an optimal engaging experience and to cater for different learning styles including lectures, small and large group discussions, individual reflection and skills practice. The content of the masterclass will cover: the underpinning knowledge and skills to consider with this patient groups and understanding the perinatal period and the unique needs of perinatal patients. It will look at common mental health difficulties faced, the clinical presentation of perinatal patients with a common mental health difficulty and how this may be different, what to look for in a step 2 assessment and how to differentiate common disorders perinatal patients can experience. There will be a focus on managing risk and understanding ‘red flags’. It explores the evidence base, and adaptations needed for low-intensity working for this patient group and different rationales for treatment. It will also support practitioners to determine when a perinatal patient may need to be stepped up for step 3 interventions, or when they need external or even secondary care specialist support, and common difficulties encouraged by patients and practitioners and how to overcome them. 

The Cultural Competency Masterclass is designed to support qualified PWPs in developing clinical competency and confidence in understanding the complexity of culture within the realm of talking therapies. This masterclass covers the principles of culture, anti-racism, intersectionality, equality, and diversity, helping PWPs gain confidence in initiating complex conversations, addressing initial anxiety around this sensitive topic, and understanding why this area of knowledge is fundamental. We explore the outcomes of a lack of awareness and the repercussions already identified within the realms of mental health and NHS Talking Therapies. A variety of engaging teaching methods are employed throughout the day to provide an optimal learning experience and cater to different learning styles, including lectures, small and large group discussions, individual reflection, and case studies. The masterclass's content also explores change processes at therapeutic, service, supervision, and management levels. These methods are established and proven to work, while also addressing areas that still need improvement.