Is there a role for Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners and Primary Care Mental Health Workers in the delivery of low intensity cognitive behavioural therapy for individuals who self‐harm?

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to explore how the role of low intensity cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) could be incorporated as a treatment option for individuals who engage in non‐suicidal self‐injury. Primary Care Mental Health Workers (PCMHWs) and Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners (PWPs) are employed to assist patients experiencing common mental health problems through CBT‐based self‐help materials; this is commonly referred to as low intensity CBT.

Design/methodology/approach

This article reviews the literature in order to investigate how these workers could incorporate their skills to offer support to those who self‐harm as means of coping with psychological distress.

Findings

The findings from this review identify a call for research into the efficacy of low intensity CBT, to enable the dissemination of clear guidance into the treatment of non‐suicidal self‐injury, considering the role of PWPs and PCMHWs.

Originality/value

At present, there is a lack of guidance into the treatment options for people who participate in non‐suicidal self‐injury. There is ambiguity into how PWPs and PCMHWs should manage this client base and training courses designed for these workers do not address the issues of self‐harm. It is hoped that this article may promote the development of such protocols.

Citation

Williams, H. (2011), "Is there a role for Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners and Primary Care Mental Health Workers in the delivery of low intensity cognitive behavioural therapy for individuals who self‐harm?", The Journal of Mental Health Training, Education and Practice, Vol. 6 No. 4, pp. 165-174. https://doi.org/10.1108/17556221111194509