| UCAS code | 1234 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 1 year part time |
| Entry year | 2023 (January start) |
| Campus |
Online: remote delivery |
| Discipline | Psychology |
| Contact |
| Typical offer | For NHS employees working in community mental health services with people who have a psychosis, bipolar or personality disorder diagnosis |
|---|---|
Overview
- If you have significant Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) knowledge and experience with non-SMHP clients, this programme will support you to add CBT-SMHP to your clinical competencies.
- Our course is suited to people working in teams providing clinical care and interventions for people with severe mental health problems.
- You’ll be supported to develop your practical competency in CBT for psychosis and bipolar disorder or people with a diagnosis of personality disorder within the context of community mental health services.
- You will develop critical knowledge of the theoretical and research literature relating to CBT in the context of psychosis and bipolar disorder or people with a diagnosis of personality disorder.
This training was developed in response to the UK government initiative to achieve access to NICE-recommended care packages for individuals experiencing these problems.
Clinical Education Development and Research (CEDAR)
This programme is delivered by Clinical Education, Development and Research (CEDAR): an applied psychological practice centre of excellence, focussed on training the new psychological therapies workforce of the future.
Competency-based training, delivered according to the latest evidence-informed clinical pedagogic approaches
Dedicated training facilities equipped with video and audio recording
A strong emphasis throughout the programme is placed upon your personal and professional development
Competency-based training, delivered according to the latest evidence-informed clinical pedagogic approaches
Dedicated training facilities equipped with video and audio recording
A strong emphasis throughout the programme is placed upon your personal and professional development
Entry requirements
This postgraduate certificate is for people working in community mental health services with people who have a psychosis, bipolar or personality disorder diagnosis. You need to be able to demonstrate significant knowledge and skill in CBT, and be ready to build on this and develop SMHP knowledge and skills.
Course content
The course includes supervision sessions, teaching sessions, clinical skills sessions, and self-study. A reflective stance is encouraged throughout. The evidence-based NICE recommended SMHP models will be covered, and the skills identified in the UCL competency maps will be taught. All content is underpinned by the research evidence.
The course includes academic submissions and assessments of therapy using competency measures such as the CTS-R. At the end of the Certificate, you will submit a portfolio to evidence your work.
60 credits of compulsory and non-condonable modules.
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PYCM107 | Working with Complexity: Essential Competencies for Working with People with Psychosis and Bipolar Disorder | 20 |
| PYCM108 | Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for Psychosis and Bipolar Disorder - Theory | 20 |
| PYCM109 | Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for Psychosis and Bipolar Disorder - Clinical Practice | 20 |
60 credits of compulsory and non-condonable modules.
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PYCM110 | Working with Complexity: Essential Competencies for Working with People with Personality Disorder | 20 |
| PYCM111 | Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for Personality Disorder - Theory | 20 |
| PYCM112 | Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for Personality disorder - Clinical Practice | 20 |
“Studying on this programme will allow you to develop and update your knowledge of the fundamental principles of CBT theory, research and practice and gain advanced clinical skills for working with people who have a diagnosis of psychosis, bipolar or personality disorder.”
Dr Hayley Keeble, Programme Lead
Clinical Psychologist & BABCP accredited CBT Therapist
How to apply
Applications to this programme may only be made through NHS services recruiting trainees and not directly through the University of Exeter. Posts are typically advertised internally within NHS services. Following this, applicants will apply to the University. Applicants who meet the criteria will be invited for interview.
We welcome applicants from diverse cultural and personal contexts, mature applicants with extensive life experience, and applicants with disabilities. Candidates with disabilities are welcome to contact us to discuss the programme's capacity to meet their training needs. Please contact the Programme Administrator or the University AccessAbility department for further details.
Fees
£8,000 per year, funded by Health Education England, so fees are not payable by candidates.
Scholarships
The University of Exeter has many different scholarships available to support your education, including £5 million in scholarships for international students applying to study with us in the 2025/26 academic year, such as our Exeter Excellence Scholarships*.
For more information on scholarships and other financial support, please visit our scholarships and bursaries page.
*Terms and conditions apply. See online for details.
Teaching and research
How you'll learn
Teaching will consist of full and half-day workshops delivered online, as well as a small number of teaching blocks taking place in-person in Exeter, Devon. All sessions will include a theoretical and clinical skills component. Role play practice, practical exercises and small group discussions will occur regularly. There will also be guided independent study.
Assessments
Assessments will include:
- Oral presentation
- Written case report
- Completion of CTSR competency assessments and accompanying documentation
- Clinical portfolio
Time commitment
The course requires a minimum of two days per week, usually consisting of one day attending university online and one day delivering CBT-SMHP. There are some block weeks of teaching throughout the year.
To complete the programme students must complete:
- A minimum of 20 hours of university individual equivalent clinical supervision
- A minimum of 100 hours of attendance of teaching hours
- A minimum of 100 hours of supervised 1:1 CBT practice with people with diagnoses/presentations of psychosis/bipolar or personality disorder
- Four ‘completed’ CBT clients, including two closely supervised university clients
Careers
This programme is training people already in a career within the NHS. It will provide you with an outstanding opportunity to develop your competencies and knowledge associated with practice as a CBT Practitioner.
A strong emphasis throughout the programme is placed upon your personal and professional development.
Advantages of the programme are that:
- You will study within a vibrant, stimulating and internationally-recognised research environment, where members of your teaching team have first-hand experience within the clinical setting.
- Your learning experience will be enriched by nationally-recognised, innovative, clinical teaching approaches, designed to develop you on your terms.
