CBT for Psychosis & Bipolar Disorders Pathway - Postgraduate Diploma in CBT

The aims of the programme are as follows:

In the first year:

To provide high quality training in the basic skills relevant to cognitive and behavioural therapies for students aiming to work with clients with disorders of depression and anxiety. It aims to do this by presenting the relevant theoretical bases of the therapies alongside research evidence of their effectiveness. It endeavours to enable students to develop an understanding of the links between research in the relevant areas of psychological science and practical applications of these therapies.

To provide practical support, guidance and supervision in the practice of therapies delivered to clients with disorders of depression and anxiety, and to help programme participants to develop the clinical skills necessary for working with their client group.

To ensure that all graduates of the programme meet recognised minimum clinical competence in working using CBT with clients with disorders of depression and anxiety, consistent with the relevant competencies framework for psychological interventions with people with anxiety and depression developed by Roth & Pilling (2007) https://www.ucl.ac.uk/pals/research/cehp/research-groups/core/competence-frameworks/cognitive-and-behavioural-therapy.

In the second year

To equip participants with the knowledge necessary to go on to develop skills in the application of cognitive behavioural theory and therapy to a broader range of clinical presentations.

The programme aims to provide high quality training in the application of CBT to psychosis and bipolar disorder.

The programme aims to enable students to develop competencies consistent with the competencies framework for psychological interventions with people with psychosis & bipolar disorder developed by Roth & Pilling (2013) https://www.ucl.ac.uk/pals/research/clinical-educational-and-health-psychology/research-groups/core/competence-frameworks-10

Applicants for this programme will predominantly be current staff within Early Intervention in Psychosis Services (EIS) and Community Mental Health Teams (CMHT), who have the support of their Manager/Clinical Lead. Each programme has specific eligibility criteria and service support requirements, which vary across the different programmes.

Priority will be given to staff working within EI/CMHT Services, however staff outside these Services (public sector services which specialise in working with service users with psychosis & bipolar disorder) may apply, and any unfilled places will be open to those applicants. 

Applicants will be predominantly qualified members of the main mental health professions (Clinical Psychologists, Psychiatric Nurses, Psychiatrists, Mental Health Social Workers, Occupational Therapists in Mental Health, Accredited Counsellors). Please consult the following link for a list of all health, Mental health and social care professions currently accepted by BABCP as a recognised core profession, which will be accepted as entry criteria: Core Professions (babcp.com)

Applicants without one of these recognised core professions will be considered for eligibility via the Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes (KSA) framework based on that developed by the BABCP.  The KSA requirements for this training programme will be sent out to applicants.  An example of KSA requirements can be found on the BABCP website Knowledge Skills and Attitudes (babcp.com)

In the first year:

The training component is in the form of lectures, workshops and supervision of clinical practice. Following the initial 5-day induction week, attendance is weekly, on one day per week, over three 12-week terms. There are two further teaching blocks at the beginning of terms 2 and 3. The training day on a Thursday will be comprised of supervision in the morning and a skills workshop in the afternoon. During term 3, there will be full day Masterclasses on some Mondays or Tuesdays, facilitated by national and international leaders in the development of CBT. On these weeks, supervision only will be provided on Thursdays.

Workshops include theoretical and skills development components, and combine academic presentations, demonstrations, and experiential exercises.  Weekly intensive small group video-based training supervision is provided by highly experienced BABCP accredited CBT practitioners (for affective disorders).

In the second year:

Similar to year 1, the training component is in the form of lectures, workshops and supervision of clinical practice. Attendance is weekly, on one day per week (Tuesdays) over the academic year, with approximately 28 teaching days. Teaching days will be comprised of weekly supervision in the morning, with a skills workshop in the afternoon facilitated by local, regional and national leaders in the field of CBT for psychosis and bipolar disorder.

Workshops include theoretical and skills development components, and combine academic presentations, demonstrations, and experiential exercises. Weekly intensive small group video-based training supervision is provided by highly experienced BABCP accredited CBTp&b practitioners.

The PG Diploma programme starts in November.

If you are interested in this programme, you will need to talk to your service manager, who should be aware of the allocation of funding for places available in your service and be able to facilitate access to application forms.

Via PTTC application form: Subject to local service support and approval.

Via NHS jobs application form: Some trainee therapist posts for this programme will be available via NHS jobs in some service areas across the Northwest. These posts are usually advertised in June and July for an Autumn start. We suggest you monitor NHS jobs during this period. Speak to your Psychology Lead / service manager for details as to availability of this option in your area.   The Training Centre does not have any involvement with the advertising of these posts.

We are happy to answer questions related to the course itself, but unfortunately are unable to provide any general career advice.