Skills Training Modules

Purpose and Design 

Teaching consumers the skills they need to achieve their goals is the CORE treatment of Psychiatric Rehabilitation. Consumers can direct their own lives when they know what to do, when to do it, and have practiced it to precision. But, identifying the specific skills that must be taught, and developing methods of teaching them, is no easy task. What specific skills should be taught? How should they be taught?  How can the teaching be equally effective regardless of the teacher's experience and education? Who has the time to spend doing all of this development work?

PRC has taken the time to do  this development work, and we've  produced 9 skills training modules that will help clients learn the skills to achieve their  goals to function more effectively in the community. Importantly, ALL of the modules use the same techniques to teach the skills, so that ALL clinicians can easily and accurately conduct a module, and smoothly transfer their skills as trainers from one module to another. Below are brief descriptions of the modules'  teaching techniques, content, costs,   components, and how to conduct them.

Teaching Techniques

Each module teaches from 4 to 9 skills in a major domain of community living, and each skill in each module is taught with seven highly structured and thoroughly specified "learning activities."

1. Introduction: The trainer describes the skill that will be taught and the consequences that can result from its use, and then reads a prepared script and asks prepared questions to assess participants' comprehension.
2. DVD (or VHS tape) Demonstration: We demonstrate the skill. "Stops" are used by the trainer to ask prepared questions to assess participants'  comprehension.
3. Role-Played Practice: Participants practice the skill. The trainer assesses accuracy of the role-play, and performance is corrected by modeling, and coaching.
4. Resource Management: The trainer uses a standardized 7-step method to teach how to solve obstacles that participants might encounter as they try to get resources needed to perform the skill.
5. Outcome Problems: The trainer uses the 7-step method to teach participants how to solve obstacles that might impede use of the skill or spoil its expected outcome.
6. In-Vivo Assignments: Participants complete standardized assignments in their living environments with trainer's assistance.
7. Homework Assignments: Participants complete standardized assignments in their living environments without trainer's assistance.

Content - Prospectus

The skill areas taught in each module are listed below. Click on the name of each module for details.

1. Medication Self-Management teaches how to use antipsychotic medicine.
2. Symptom Self-Management teaches how to monitor and cope with symptoms.
3. Recreations for Leisure teaches how to implement recreational activities for leisure time.
4. Basic Conversation Skills teaches how to engage in brief and friendly conversations.
5. Community Re-entry teaches how to collaborate and follow through with discharge plan after inpatient/ transitional care.
6. Workplace Fundamentals teaches how to maintain successful and satisfying employment.
7. Substance Abuse Management teaches how to  prevent drug or alcohol relapse and live a satisfying, sober lifestyle.
8. Involving Families step-by-step instructions for staff use to develop collaboration with families.
9. Friendship and Intimacy I teaches how to develop network of close friends.

Costs and Components

Each module is distributed with a professionally produced Trainer's Manual, Participant's Workbook, and Demonstration DVD (VHS tape optional).

• Trainer's Manual tells the trainer exactly what to say and do.VHS or DVD Demonstration shows the correct way to perform the skill being taught.
• Participant's Workbook exercises, checklists, worksheets to help participants learn the material.

Each module costs $350.00 (plus shipping, handling, and sales tax, CA only) and includes 1 Trainer's Manual, 1 DVD, 1 User's Guide, 10 Participant's Workbooks, and 1 Poster Packet (Workplace Fundamentals, Basic Conversation modules only). Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

Starting and Conducting a Module Group

A module is usually conducted in a group format with 4 to 6 participants. To begin a module group, you will need the proper space, equipment, participants, and staff.

Obstacles to Treatment

Demonstration Modules: The best way to learn and master a new treatment and rehabilitation innovation is to watch "master clinicians" conduct the innovation in action with real patients.

Your Input

We welcome your suggestions, comments, and feedback. Contact customerservice@psychrehab.com

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