Behavioural psychotherapy training for nurses in Australia: a pilot program

This paper describes a pilot program that examined the feasibility of training for qualified mental health nurses in behavioural psychotherapy in response to the perceived need for improved client access to services. A 6-month course was conducted with four nurses from the in-patient mental health unit at Flinders Medical Centre, South Australia. They received a combination of workshop training and supervised practice by qualified and experienced nurse behavioural psychotherapists and were assessed throughout the period for clinical competency and level of knowledge in the subject. All four nurses completed the training satisfactorily. Each trainee treated four clients who presented with a range of anxiety disorders. The implications for further training of suitably qualified mental health professionals in the area are discussed.