SilverCloud Health, a digital and mental health platform has partnered with the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) to deliver training in the use of digital therapy for Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners.
The partnership sets to define for PWPs the use and delivery of digital therapy as part of the IAPT training courses and to play a larger part in the curriculum.
Dr Lloyd Humphreys said “This is an important development for the skilling up of the next generation of PWPs. When one considers that the cohorts of people coming through training now could be delivering low intensity therapy in the year 2040 and beyond, it is essential we provide them the right competencies in the use of digital tools. SilverCloud is honored to be investing in the future of IAPT and working with UCLan which is a truly innovative and forward-looking University.”
Liz Kell, Senior Lecturer in Psychological Interventions and Course Lead for PWP training at UCLan, said “Internet-based treatment is now the mainstay of mental health service delivery models and it is important to recognise this important contribution to a PWPs toolkit of techniques.”
“Working alongside the developers of these approaches is key to creating a competent workforce for the future. The course was unanimously well received and feedback has been positive, with trainees. commenting on how useful it was to understand the history and development of digital therapies, and to have time to explore which client groups may best benefit from this approach, including how it can be integrated into different ways of working.”
The next steps are to embed this in future UCLan PWP training and expand to cover other therapy courses, along with sharing this learning with other universities wishing to do the same.
The partnership also hopes there will be an opportunity to trial trainee PWPs using the resilience and self-care tools to support their own wellbeing and gain a better understanding of the experiences of engaging with digital health.
