Expanding Access to Evidence-Based Mental Health Treatment: An Expert-Driven Training Model

Abstract

ABSTRACT The increasing acuity of mental health needs amongst youth coupled with a dwindling and lesser trained workforce (e.g., bachelor level and dependently licensed, early career providers) means that those with less experience and training in the delivery of evidence-based treatments (EBTs) are more likely to provide services to youth with the highest level of needs. EBTs for common pediatric mental health conditions are well documented in the literature. However, standardized and consistent implementation of EBTs do not exist at a systems level. Psychologists have expertise in the theory and clinical application of EBTs, developed through years of coursework and clinical rotations supervised by licensed doctoral level psychologists. Therefore, it is fruitful for psychologists to take leadership roles to ensure that the workforce is appropriately prepared to deliver and maintain the fidelity of EBTs. This paper will provide an overview of the six levels of mental health care delivered across our system (Levels 0–5), as well as outline five core components of an effective training and case consultation model designed to scale and spread EBTs across the system. These five core components include: (1) content experts as leaders, (2) institutional commitment, (3) intentionality in hiring and onboarding providers receptive to the model, (4) data driven approach, and (5) ongoing training and case consultation that includes modeling, role-playing and/or direct observation. Application of the model to multidisciplinary teams and sustainability at each level of care is addressed, as well as plans for further spread in scale and scope of this model.