Education in cognitive-behavioural therapy for mental health professionals

Since 1998, videoconferencing has been used to provide training in cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) for mental health practitioners in rural and remote Western Australia. A preliminary study of the outcomes found significant improvements in knowledge of the therapy among participants. In this study, data from 48 participants were collected over a seven-year period. Each participant completed the Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy Knowledge Questionnaire before and after training, as well as a questionnaire about satisfaction. The sample included different training groups, made up of different mental health practitioners with varying levels of motivation and experience in mental health. There was a significant improvement in the participants' knowledge of CBT from pre- to post-training (P < 0.001) as well as high levels of satisfaction with the content and delivery of the programme. The majority of participants had used CBT principles learned in the course during their clinical practice. A range of patients had been treated, from those with anxiety disorders to those with bipolar disorder, i.e. the training was applicable to professionals working at the more severe end of the disease spectrum.