Co-production at our Psychological Therapies Training Centre
For the last two years, the Psychological Therapies Training Centre has been hosting a cohort of individuals who have previously been through a course of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. These people are referred to as Experts by Experience (EbE) and their contribution is to inform and improve the training of the next generation of therapists.
From the beginning, the approach taken with this project has been one of co-production whenever and wherever that is appropriate. As a result of this, the EbE Group co-designs its own working methods, terms of engagement and future policies.
The EbE group has written a set of guidelines for programme leads and tutors to use when working with service users and a code of conduct for the trainees to consult when engaging with the EbE group. The group also holds monthly meetings where new approaches are discussed and new ideas generated.
This co-produced approach has meant that the group is very supportive of its members with everyone looking out for everyone else. It also means that the EbE’s have a genuine sense of “owning” the work that they do. This contributes greatly to the ongoing mental well-being of group members and gives everyone involved a sense of pride and a real sense of accomplishment. An additional benefit is the boost to self-esteem that comes from belonging to an enterprise where everyone is equal and everyone is heard.
