The Multimodal Brief Systemic Training Programme (Mbstp) for Primary Care: An Alternative Intervention Tool

This textbook presents an innovative educational and training protocol for treating mental health patients in primary care: the Multimodal Brief Systemic Training (MBSTP). Blending theory with practice, this manual offers a rigorous, versatile, and integrative approach, grounded in research, that can be easily adopted by primary care professionals--including general practitioners, nurses, social workers, and psychologists. It is not only invaluable for psychotherapy students but also serves as a vital resource for physicians and other non-mental health professionals seeking to support individuals facing cancer, chronic pain, palliative care, and other conditions that intertwine emotional, mental, and behavioural challenges within their close relational systems.

The MBSTP is a compelling alternative to existing evidence-based training programs, which often centre on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. Designed as a continuing education course led by a team of mental health specialists, this training provides a structured pathway for professional development. This book will help to reignite practitioners’ interest in systemic thinking, encouraging them to revisit its significance in their work, or, for those new to the concept, to embrace it as a crucial aspect of their professional growth and contribute meaningfully to their evolution in the field.

Carles Barcons PhD is a Clinical Psychologist at Hospital Sagrat Cor, Martorell, Barcelona, Spain. He gained his PhD at the Universidad Autònoma de Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. He is currently working in an adulthood ambulatory mental health service and an Addiction treatment center in a rural area close to Barcelona. In addition, he collaborates with the Epi4Health (Research Group in Epidemiology and Public Health in the Digital Health context), from the University of Vic, Central University of Catalonia, Spain. He is the author of several psychopathology and primary care publications. Finally, he is a former associate professor at the Department of Clinical Psychology and Health, Universidad Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain, as well as at the National University of Distance Education (UNED).

George W. Saba is Professor Emeritus of the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, USA, where he served as Director of Behavioral Sciences, Associate Program Director and Endowed Chair at the Family and Community Medicine Residency. He co-edited Minorities and Family Therapy (Routledge, 1990) and the Handbook of Systemic Therapy Approaches to Manuals (Springer, 2022).

Mauro Mariotti is a Psychiatrist, Child Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist, and the founder and Director of The Iscra Institute, Modena, Italy. He was a Professor at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia and Director of the Maternal and Child Department for Reggio Emilia public health services. He co-edited the Handbook Of Systemic Approaches To Psychotherapy Manuals (Springer, 2022).

Cory Johnson is Director of Behavioral Sciences and Assistant Professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, USA. He provides direct therapy services in the primary care setting and primary care for all ages as a family physician.