| UCAS code | |
|---|---|
| Duration | 2 years part time |
| Entry year | 2023 (January start) |
| Campus | Streatham Campus |
| Discipline | Psychology |
| Contact |
| Typical offer | At least two years of post-qualification experience with psychosis and/or bipolar disorder or personality disorder, plus some knowledge of CBT |
|---|---|
Overview
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If you have at least two years’ experience of working (or volunteering) with psychosis and/or bipolar disorder or people with a diagnosis of personality disorder, this programme will support you to pursue a career as a Cognitive Behaviour Therapist.
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You might be a mental health professional with a BABCP-recognised core profession, or you may have the equivalent knowledge, skills and attitudes to train as a CBT therapist (see entry requirements).
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This training was developed in response to the UK government initiative to achieve access to NICE-recommended care packages for individuals experiencing these problems.
- We will support you to develop practical competency in CBT for psychosis and bipolar disorder or CBT for people with a diagnosis of personality disorder within the context of secondary care services. You will also develop practical competency in CBT for depression, anxiety disorders and PTSD, as well as develop critical knowledge of the theoretical and research literature relating to CBT in the context of these difficulties.
Post-course accreditation with the BABCP
The British Association for Behavioural & Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) is the accrediting body for CBT psychotherapists and for CBT training courses. This course adheres to the BABCP minimum standards for CBT training, its good practice guidelines, and its Professional Code. The course is not yet accredited but provides all of the criteria for BABCP Individual Practitioner Accreditation. The Clinical Portfolio required to complete this award is designed to easily support post-course accreditation with the BABCP.
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 is a programme for clinicians who’ve only had minimal CBT training and require formal training in CBT for depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD as well as in CBT for Severe Mental Health Problems.
Applicants need to meet the below entry criteria, as stipulated by NHS England:
- To be qualified in one of the core mental health professions as outlined by the BABCP or equivalent
OR
- The ability to complete and submit a Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes (KSA) portfolio
The below criteria are also essential:
- At least two years’ experience of working with psychosis and/or bipolar disorder or people with a diagnosis of personality disorder
- Some introductory knowledge and experience in CBT
- Successful completion of an undergraduate degree (or equivalent) or evidence of previous successful study at third year undergraduate degree level
Please note that all applicants will need to ensure that they adhere to the 2-year psychological professions funding rule.
Staff should have the support of their manager to attend the teaching programme and be able to practice as a CBT therapist post-training.
Entry requirements for international students
Please visit our entry requirements section for equivalencies from your country and further information on English language requirements.
Course content
Cognitive Behavioural Therapists working in NHS secondary care services will assess and treat clients with psychosis and bipolar disorder or personality disorder, and comorbid common mental health problems using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).
CBT is recommended in the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines as part of the evidence-based care packages for people with a diagnosis of psychosis. CBT for personality disorder is one of the therapies recognised within the NICE guidance for people with a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder. The approach works to reduce distress, enhance understanding, alleviate symptoms and have a positive impact on social inclusion, employment and productivity.
Studying on this programme will allow you to:
- Develop and update your knowledge of the fundamental principles of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) theory, research and practice.
- Develop an advanced knowledge and understanding of how scientific principles inform cognitive behavioural clinical practice.
- Develop an advanced knowledge of core clinical skills necessary for CBT practice with people experiencing psychosis, bipolar or personality disorder.
- Develop the capacity to reflect critically on CBT theory, research and practice.
- Be able to demonstrate how you meet the competencies required to deliver NICE-concordant CBT for psychosis and bipolar or personality disorder.
- Develop a portfolio of training, assessment and supervised practice that would allow you to apply for accreditation as a Cognitive-Behavioural Therapist with the BABCP.
60 credits of compulsory and non-condonable modules.
a Modules PYCM104, PYCM105 and PYCM106 are taken in Year 1, modules PYCM107, PYCM108 and PYCM109 are taken in Year 2.
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PYCM104 | The Fundamentals of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy [See note a above] | 20 |
| PYCM105 | Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for Anxiety and Depression - Theory [See note a above] | 20 |
| PYCM106 | Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for Anxiety and Depression - Clinical Practice [See note a above] | 20 |
| PYCM107 | Working with Complexity: Essential Competencies for Working with People with Psychosis and Bipolar Disorder [See note a above] | 20 |
| PYCM108 | Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for Psychosis and Bipolar Disorder - Theory [See note a above] | 20 |
| PYCM109 | Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for Psychosis and Bipolar Disorder - Clinical Practice [See note a above] | 20 |
Year 1: 60 credits of compulsory and non-condonable modules.
Year 2: 60 credits of compulsory and non-condonable modules.
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PYCM104 | The Fundamentals of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy [See note a above] | 20 |
| PYCM105 | Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for Anxiety and Depression - Theory [See note a above] | 20 |
| PYCM106 | Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for Anxiety and Depression - Clinical Practice [See note a above] | 20 |
| PYCM110 | Working with Complexity: Essential Competencies for Working with People with Personality Disorder [See note a above] | 20 |
| PYCM111 | Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for Personality Disorder - Theory [See note a above] | 20 |
| PYCM112 | Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for Personality disorder - Clinical Practice [See note a above] | 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 & Academic 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.
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.
The course requires a minimum of two days per week, usually consisting of one day attending university (online) and one day delivering CBT. There are some block weeks of teaching throughout the year.
To complete the programme students must complete:
- A minimum of 40 hours of university individual equivalent clinical supervision.
- A minimum of 200 hours of attendance of teaching hours.
- A minimum of 200 hours of supervised CBT practice.
- Eight ‘completed’ CBT clients, including three closely supervised university clients. In year 1 trainees maintain a caseload of a minimum of four clients per week and so will very likely work with more than eight clients across the two years.
Assessments
Assessments will include:
- oral case presentations
- essays
- written case reports
- completion of CTSR competency assessments and accompanying documentation
- and a clinical portfolio.
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.
