The Promise of Online Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Training for Rural and Remote Mental Health Professionals

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to indicate how online cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) training for rural and remote health professionals can enhance access to evidence-based treatments in rural communities and address psychotherapy training shortfalls for rural practitioners treating Australians with high prevalence psychological disorders. Issues of cost, distance and disruption to services have meant that, until now, it has been very difficult to provide really effective training in evidence-based therapies (in the main, CBT) for Australian rural and remote health professionals. The recent development of online CBT training provides new opportunities. Online training, supplemented by regular supervision, can fulfil many of the functions of face-to-face training at significantly reduced cost. While face-to-face residential workshops will still be necessary to embed new skills, we estimate that online training can reduce the face-to-face time required by at least 50%.