Relationship Health Matters: in Clinical Settings
All successful journeys start with noticing new details that have been overlooked
Relationship health is a key but often overlooked issue in the work of clinical practitioners in child and adult mental health and paediatric services including psychologists, psychiatrists, paediatricians, therapists and counsellors.
Though decades of research evidence has demonstrated that relationship health underpins healthy child development, mental health and physical health and community health and recovery from trauma, the skills on which relationship health depends have not been anyone's priority. Unfortunately an overly individualised and increasingly medicalised approach can exacerbate underlying relationship challenges
Our view is that all clinical practitioners should have a basic understanding of Relationship Health principles and of the I Matter Framework.
We also believe that every clinical service provider should be equipped with the skills to recognise, assess and support the development of relationship health skills in young people and adults including an understanding of the importance of roles in relationships
This training need is to support
+ understanding of everyday practice issues seen in clinics, teams and community
+ ability to recognise relationship illhealth presentations
+ ability to recognise relationship health needs and skills gaps in young people and adults
+ personal and professional wellbeing at work and
+ matters involving work-home life interactions.
For this intention we would advise at least supported Level 1 training.
Some will wish to progress to learning more or to certification for helping others.
Some clinics will be interested in working with local GP's and primary care networks to develop a community hub starting off with a community connector account.
Clinics interested in taking forward the Relationship Health Skills Development Programme and Curriculum can join our network