CNWL Psychotherapy Familiarisation Placement

Understand how psychotherapy works within and alongside mental health services for those who have 'extraordinary' needs. 

Observe multidisciplinary team working in secondary care community mental health hub in North Westminster.

Attend once weekly (1.5 to 3 hours) in person

Sit in and observe weekly team meeting of the Complex Emotional Needs Pathway Team

Sit in and observe daily zoning team meeting of a PCN (Primary Care Network) Team

Day/Time: Thursdays, start at 9:30 or 11:00, end at 12:30 or 1:00pm

APPLICATION ONLY

(January - June 2025 observational placement)

Skills You will Learn

1. Understand the role of patient and community organisations or mental health advocacy organisations (processes, ways of working, provision, scope etc)
2. Exposure to one model of mental health assessment, diagnosis and safe guarding. Experience of multidisciplinary practice. Understand the role of the psychotherapist/psychiatrist/ et al.
3. How NICE guidelines are used, the role of the guidelines. Types of intervention and treatment and the rationale behind.
4. Experience of the Mental Health Act 2007 and the Equality Act 2010
5. Understand how referrals are made to interdisciplinary professionals and agencies
6. How to work in a client-centred way which safeguards the wellbeing of the person (& dependents). Recognise the limits of psychotherapy
7. Able to recognise people with more complex, enduring needs and how to differentiate between severe mental illness and the range of human responses to life, such as trauma, shock, bereavement etc.
8. Understand the societal context of attitudes and approaches to mental health and mental health care including the impact of intersectionality and how this intersects on diagnosis, treatment and views of mental illness. (this may be something I reflect on rather than gain through direct experience).
    

Structure of the Day

Suggested delivery could include but not limited to...

1. Discussion with staff dealing with the impact of diagnosis and treatment
2. Case conferences, ward rounds and initial assessment interviews