CRAFTING AN EVIDENCE BASED PRIVATE PRACTICE: WHY I DO WHAT I DO AS A MENTAL HEALTH (CLINICAL) SOCIAL WORKER IN PRIVATE PRACTICE

CREDENTIALS TO PRACTICE Psychotherapist & Accredited Mental Health (Clinical) Social Worker – 2001 and Allied Mental Health Provider (Medicare) - Better Access to Mental Health Care Contracted Allied Mental Health Provider with Division of General Practice – Better Outcomes in Mental Health Care Initiative Outreach Counsellor with Veterans & Veterans Families Services – Other

SERVICES UNDER MEDICARE (BAMH) These services can only be provided to individuals with ‘an assessed mental disorder’ who have been referred by a GP, psychiatrist or paediatrician. These professionals provide a Mental Health Treatment Plan for the following eligible mental disorders: *Chronic psychotic disorders*Dissociative disorders *Acute psychotic disorders*Eating disorders *Bipolar disorder*Panic disorder *Phobic disorders*Alcohol use disorders Contd:- next slide

ELIGIBLE MENTAL DISORDERS CONTD: - *Generalised anxiety disorder*Drug use disorders *Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder*Sleep problems *Mixed anxiety & depression*Adjustment disorders *Depression *Hyperkinetic disorder# *Conduct disorder (children)*Neurasthenia# *Unexplained somatic complaints*Schizophrenia *Obsessive Compulsive Disorder*Bereavement disorder *Mental disorder, not otherwise specified *Enuresis (non organic)#*Stress disorders^ # Provide definitions if requested

FOCUSED PSYCHOLOGICAL STRATEGIES (FPS) A range of evidence-based psychological strategies known as FPS’s have been shown to be effective for a number of psychological disorders and have been approved for use by Allied Mental Health Providers. They are: 1. Psycho-education# 2.Motivational interviewing# 3.Cognitive Behavioural Therapy including: * Behaviour interventions *Behaviour modification (children) # * Exposure techniques# *Activity scheduling (time manage) * Cognitive intervention# *Cognitive analysis (Challenging/restructuring) * Self-instructional training * Attention regulation # Are also Better Outcomes in Mental Health Care Initiative approved evidence-based strategies. Atten: CPD providers.

FOCUSED PSYCHOLOGICAL STRATEGIES (FPS) 4. Relaxation strategies# including: Guided imagery, deep muscle# and isometric relaxation, controlled breathing# 5. Skills training# 6. Problem-solving skills training# 7. Anger management# 8. Stress management# 9. Communication training# 10. Social skills training# 11. Parenting training# 12. Interpersonal therapy (especially for depression)# # Are also Better Outcomes in Mental Health Care Initiative approved evidence-based strategies. Atten: CPD providers.

WHY M. H. (CLINICAL) SOCIAL WORKERS MAKE EXCELLENT ALLIED HEALTH PROVIDERS * We have a breadth of experience in assessing and working to bring about positive change for people experiencing mental health problems. A recovery orientation is integral to our work, with an emphasis on building on strengths and creating social supports. We work collaboratively with MH consumers, carers, GPs and other members of MH teams to resolve psychosocial problems associated with MH disorders and to improve quality of life. * Definition provided by AASW brochure entitled: “What is a Mental Health Social Worker?”

MENTAL HEALTH SOCIAL WORKERS CONTD:- * AASW Accredited Mental Health (Clinical) Social Workers have a particular expertise in helping individuals whose mental health difficulties coexist with other problems such as family distress, drug and alcohol abuse, unemployment, disadvantage, disability, poverty and trauma. Social workers also give priority to knowing about relevant community resources, and advocating for consumer access and expanded resources and services. # This is what sets us apart from many other Allied Mental Health Providers. Many other AMHP’s work only from ‘the individual’, rather than from the context in which the individual exists. Many other AMHPs don’t concern themselves with connecting consumers to available services or advocating and or expanding resources & services. AMHSWers do. * Definition provided by AASW brochure entitled: “What is a Mental Health Social Worker?”