National BPD Training & Professional Development Strategy
BPD core competency workshops and train the trainer program
National BPD Training & Professional Development Strategy
Spectrum collaborated with the Australian BPD Foundation during 2019-21 to deliver Stages 3 and 4 of the National BPD Training and Professional Development Strategy (National Training Strategy). This entailed the development and delivery of borderline personality disorder (BPD) core competencies workshops, a train the trainer program and the provision of post-training clinical support and mentoring.
The overall aim of the National Training Strategy was to improve the capacity of clinicians to recognise, respond to and treat people with BPD, and be inclusive of families.
Stage 1 (webinars) and Stage 2 (eLearning program) are available from the Australian BPD Foundation.
Spectrum continue to offer the BPD core competency workshop and the Train the Trainer Program, as outlined below.
BPD core competency workshops
The emergence of generalist treatments for borderline personality disorder (BPD) was accelerated by the recognition that all evidence-based psychological treatments for BPD share particular core features. These are referred to as the ‘common factors’ in psychological treatment for BPD.
The 2-day BPD core competency workshop was developed to highlight and guide health workers in the use of these common factors to work more effectively with people who have BPD. Spectrum, in collaboration with the Australian BPD Foundation, conceptualised ten core competencies based on the common factors approach:
understanding BPD (including symptoms, prevalence, causes, and evidence-based treatments)
co-existing disorders in BPD
treatment principles
treatment structure
the therapeutic relationship
skills development focus
partnering with families, partners and carers
working with suicidal and non-suicidal self-injury behaviours
clinician self–awareness, and
focus on recovery
The BPD core competency workshop includes content to improve health professional's knowledge, skills and attitudes to detect, diagnose, and provide therapeutic interventions. The skills can be used during every interaction, even in the absence of formal long-term psychotherapeutic treatments. We believe all mental health professionals have the capacity to learn the core competencies for the treatment of BPD. An understanding of the core competencies is designed to assist clinicians to positively contribute to the recovery journey of people with BPD.
Attend a BPD core competency workshop
If you would like to attend a BPD core competency workshop either:
- Register for a BPD core competency workshop which is part of our education and training calendar, or
- Make a training request for your service. We may be able to offer the workshop and/or post-training support to your service upon request.
Train the trainer program
The train the trainer program enables health professionals, clinicians and trainers to deliver the 2-day BPD core competency workshop. Trainer endorsement requires:
Previous attendance of a 2-day BPD core competency workshop (mandatory)
Satisfactory completion of a 2-day online train the trainer workshop (mandatory)
Endorsement as a National BPD Training Strategy trainer by the Australian BPD Foundation to deliver the BPD core competency workshops (mandatory).
Endorsed trainers will be able to electronically access all training materials for use when they deliver BPD core competency workshops, including the participant handbook, slides, session plans, activities, and role plays. They will also have access to ongoing support from Spectrum trainers. There may be opportunities for endorsed trainers to be contracted by Spectrum to deliver workshops, depending on available funding.
There is a formal application process to register for the program. The application process involves the completion of an online form and submission of the applicant’s curriculum vitae. Please subscribe to our mailing list to be notified when the application period opens.
2024 applications for the train the trainer program NOW OPEN
- Are you passionate about improving the availability of treatment for people with BPD?
- Are you seeking to further develop your professional skills and deliver BPD core competency workshops to other health professsionals in your workplace/state?
The Australian BPD Foundation and Spectrum are seeking applications from appropriately skilled mental health clinicians to participate in our train the trainer program to enable you to deliver 2-day BPD core competency workshops.
The train the trainer program is open to health professionals from any discipline who are able to demonstrate the following:
at least 5 years’ clinical experience in mental health, particularly in the treatment of people with BPD
at least 3 years’ experience delivering training
completed (or registered to complete) the 2-day BPD core competency workshop
capacity to attend the 2-day train the trainer workshop on 23rd & 24th October 2024, and
a commitment and the capacity (either through their workplace or independently) to deliver BPD core competency workshops in their state or territory
Apply for train the trainer program
- Please complete the application form by clicking the button below by the closing date.
- A curriculum vitae briefly outlining your qualifications and interest should be attached to your application.
- A selection panel will review all applications. Applicants may be interviewed.
- All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application four weeks in advance of the train the trainer workshop.
PLEASE NOTE: If you do not work in a public mental health service in Victoria, you will be charged an attendance fee of $550 (inc GST) once your application is successful and you accept the place.
Contact education and training
Phone: (03) 8413 8750
Email: [email protected]
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