Evaluation of a Trauma-Focused CBT Training Programme for IAPT services

Area of Science:

• Psychological Therapies
• Trauma-Informed Care
• Clinical Training

Background:

• Therapists in Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) services face challenges treating complex post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to limited training.
• Research-practice gaps exist, as randomized controlled trial recovery rates for PTSD are not always replicated in routine clinical settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the outcomes of a therapist training program focused on treating PTSD with trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT).

Main Methods:

• A 6-month training program involving workshops, webinars, and consultations was delivered to twenty therapists across ten IAPT services.
• Therapist knowledge, self-rated competence, supervisor-rated competence, and client outcomes were assessed before and after the training.

Main Results:

• The training was highly acceptable to participants, leading to significant improvements in PTSD knowledge and TF-CBT competence.
• These improvements in knowledge and competence were sustained one year post-training.
• Client outcomes for PTSD improved following the therapist training, and participants attempted to disseminate their learning within their teams.

Conclusions:

• The training program effectively enhanced TF-CBT knowledge, skills, and outcomes for IAPT therapists treating PTSD.
• The findings tentatively support training 'trauma experts' within IAPT services.
• Institutional factors like constraints and staff turnover may impact the long-term sustainability of this training model.