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Event Information

Title

Understanding CBT and grief: Guide to Grief Focussed CBT in Practice - 01/01/2026 - 15/12/2026

Dates

01/01/2026 to 15/12/2026

Cost

Contact Provider

CPD hours

15.5 Educational activity
7 Performance review
 Addressing health inequities
 Professionalism
 Ethical practice
 Culturally safe practice

MOPS hours

Mental Health - FPS ST
22.5 MOPS (AST - Mental Health) hours

Procedural grant

Emergency Mental Health
Online

Curriculum domains

Practice medicine within an ethical, intellectual and professional framework

Curriculum learning areas

Mental health (MH)
Communicator (COM)

Understanding CBT and grief: Guide to Grief Focussed CBT in Practice - 01/01/2026 - 15/12/2026

This blended online training aims to provide participants with the knowledge and skills needed to competently undertake Focussed Psychological Strategies (FPS) in practice. The training is based on Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), and it has a focus on loss and grief. General Practitioners commonly assist patients who are impacted by grief. A sound understanding of grief theories, along with specific training and skills in grief counselling and grief focused CBT will significantly enhance management in practice.

It is delivered in a blended online format, and is an interactive program involving:

  1. 6 interactive modules (plus completion of a workbook alongside the modules) (12 hrs)
  2. Live Consumer and Carer representative interview via Zoom (1hr).
  3. 3 x 2 hr case discussion groups via Zoom (6 hrs).
  4. 1 x 1hr individual supervision session via Zoom (1hr).

The six online modules cover: 

  1.  Introduction to Mental Health and Focussed Psychological Strategies (FPS)
  2.  Understanding Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
  3. The Cognitive Components of CBT
  4. The Nature of Grief and Management Theories
  5. About CBT and Grief
  6. CBT/Grief-focussed-CBT & FPS in practice.

 

Contact hours:
20.00
Pre activity hours:
2.50
Total hours:
22.50
 
Total hours includes:
Case study hours:
7.00
 
Learning objectives

On completion of the training, participants will be able to:

  • Distinguish the perspectives and needs of consumers and carers to inform care.
  • Identify appropriate Medicare Benefits Schedule item numbers relating to the provision of Focused Psychological Strategies.
  • Outline psychoeducation and lifestyle measures to incorporate into FPS sessions with consumers and carers.
  • Implement the use of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy relevant to consumer needs as outlined in the GP Mental Health Treatment Plan.
  • Demonstrate key skills from Cognitive Behaviour Therapy.
Assessment information

There is no formal assessment. However, the online modules include several quizzes, and a workbook is completed alongside the modules, and handed up and checked.

There are 7 hours of case discussion / supervision, and hence knowledge can be informally checked along with skills. 
Additional information

GPs are often the first health professionals that patients with mental health problems will seek out, and their ability to respond appropriately is critical in engaging patients in care and assisting them with issues related to grief, such as prolonged grief disorder (RACGP, 2022; Boelen et al., 2021).  

Prolonged grief can result in an alteration of the grieving process, impair global functioning, and impact cognitive development in children and adolescents (Saladino et al., 2024).

Management options related to grief, according to evidence-based guidelines, include assessment using the bio-psycho-social model, psycho-education and lifestyle measures (LO3), psychological treatments, such as cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) (LO4 & 5), and pharmacological interventions (Rosner & Comtesse, 2022; Szuhany et al., 2021). 

GPs can train in Focused Psychological Strategies (such as CBT), so that they can guide their patients through evidence-based strategies as part of the treatment plan. Specific MBS item numbers are available, and GPs undertaking the training must be aware of the relevant criteria for their use (LO2).

 

Provider Information

Provider

Dr Cate Howell Mental Health Education & Wellbeing

Contact

Dr Cate Howell

Phone

61 61 0417867815

Fax

61 08 85555880

Email

cate.howell@gmail.com

Address

31a Cadell Street
Goolwa
SA, 5214

Registration link

https://www.drcatehowell.com.au/product/understanding-cognitive-behaviour-therapy-cbt-and-grief-guide-to-grief-focussed-cbt-in-practice/

Preferred registration method

Online