Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Study options

Award

PgDip

Key facts

Location:
Off Campus
Study option:
Full-time
Duration:
12 Months
Start date:
23 September 2024
School:
Health, Science and Wellbeing

BABCP accredited

This course is currently accredited by the British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP). Upon successful completion of the training, you should be eligible to apply for provisional accreditation as a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist with the BABCP.

100% employment rate

All our students go into employment after completing the course

Delivered in partnership

Course is run with partners at the NHS and cognitive behavioural specialists

The Postgraduate Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy develops your theoretical knowledge, reflective abilities and practical skills to enable you to become a skilled and independent practitioner with adults with common mental health difficulties such as anxiety and depression.

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy based on the theory that psychological symptoms develop and are maintained as a result of the interaction between the thoughts, emotions and behavioural responses of the individual.

CBT is an evidenced-based psychological therapy recommended by NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) as a first-line intervention for many mental health disorders.

In CBT, the therapist and client work collaboratively to identify and change thoughts and behaviours that may be maintaining symptoms.

This course has been developed as part of the national Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) initiative, which aims to increase the availability of qualified high-intensity cognitive behavioural therapists.

This course is a collaborative venture between the University and staff from the South Staffordshire and Shropshire Foundation NHS Trust. This collaboration provides excellent opportunities to integrate theory and practice within the award.

The learning outcomes for the course are based on national guidance regarding the Improving Access to Psychological Therapists (IAPT) Curriculum for High Intensity Therapists and the requirements of the British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP).

The course has consistently achieved 100% student satisfaction in the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey.

Please email us at CBTCourses@staffs.ac.uk for more information.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: PgDip Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: PgDip Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Work placements

You’ll spend three days a week on placement in the West Midlands region, and two days at the University.

Please note: It is the applicant’s responsibility to secure an appropriate placement (NHS Talking Therapies commissioned placement or equivalent where you will be working for three days per week for the 12-month duration of the course) prior to applying.

Course content

This course provides training in how to provide CBT effectively and ethically to adults experiencing depression and a range of anxiety disorders. In addition to providing rigorous, practical, and comprehensive skills training to enhance skills development to a defined standard of competence, the course also aims to increase knowledge of theory and research in CBT and to promote a critical approach to the subject.

The award is completed on a full-time basis over a one-year period from September to September. Although most trainees on the award will have been specifically recruited as part of national IAPT initiatives, places are sometimes available to self-funding individuals working outside of these services who fulfil the entry requirements. Please note that if you are considering applying for the self-funded route, you will need access to a placement where you can treat patients with common mental health problems using CBT within a primary care setting. You will also need to be regularly supervised by a healthcare professional who is accredited with the BABCP.

The course runs from September to September. As this is a level 7 postgraduate course, the application process involves academic screening, during which you will be assessed on your skills in critically evaluating research. Please ensure you have applied to your placement by the end of June to be considered. If you are planning to self-fund, please contact us on CBTCourses@staffs.ac.uk

Professional body accreditation

Course graduates gain accreditation of the BABCP. This entitles graduates to practice CBT as independent practitioners. The level 2 qualification is an industry recognised minimum standard that allows graduates to apply for jobs as High Intensity CBT therapists within the NHS. Without this accreditation, graduates would be unable to do this.

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Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module.

Year 1 compulsory modules
Year 1 compulsory modules
Cbt For Common Mental Health Disorders 40 credits
Core Theory And Practice In Cbt 40 credits
Professional And Clinical Competence In Cbt 40 credits

Entry requirements

To be eligible for the course, you will need:

To hold a relevant core profession with at least 12-months experience. Examples of core professions include:

  • Arts Therapists– Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) Registered
  • Counselling – Accreditation with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP Accred), Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP), Counselling and Psychotherapy in Scotland (COSCA), Federation of Drug and Alcohol Professionals’ National Counsellor Accreditation Certificate (FDAP NCAC) or National Counselling Society - Accredited Professional Registrant (MNCS Prof Accred)
  • Medicine– Psychiatrist or General Practitioner, MBChB or MBBS, and usually PG training with membership of MRCGP, MRCP or MRCPsych
  • Nurse- NMC Registered Mental Health Nurse, or NMC Registered Learning Disability Nurse
  • Occupational Therapy– BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy, MSc Occupational Therapy, or Diploma of the College of Occupational Therapists (DipCOT) and HCPC Registered
  • Psychotherapy/ Psychotherapeutic Counselling– United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) Registered
  • Social Work– Certificate of Qualification in Social Work (CQSW), Diploma in Social Work (DipSW), MA Social Work, or BA/BSc Hons Social Work. Registered with one of four UK regulators - Social Work England (SWE), Social Care Wales (SCW), Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC) and Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) *or previously registered with HCPC
  • Postgraduate Doctorate in Clinical/Counselling Psychology- Post-graduate doctorate in clinical or counselling psychology and HCPC Registered as Practitioner Psychologist
  • Educational Psychology- Doctorate or Qualification in Educational Psychology Stage 2 (QEPS) - must have BPS Chartership (CPsychol) and HCPC Registration as Practitioner Psychologist
  • Health Psychology– Qualification in Health Psychology Stage 2 (QHP) - must have BPS Chartership (CPsychol) and HCPC Registration as Practitioner Psychologist
  • Forensic Psychology– Qualification in Forensic Psychology Stage 2 (QFP) - must have BPS Chartership (CPsychol) and HCPC Registration as Practitioner Psychologist

If you do not hold a core professional training, for example, you have at least two years post-qualification experience as a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP), you may be admitted if you can provide evidence that you fulfil the Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes (KSA) requirement of the BABCP prior to the start of the course. The KSA is a portfolio that will be assessed at interview and therefore needs to be completed by this stage.

At least two years post-qualification experience if you have completed an NHS-funded psychological profession (two years from the date on your qualification certificate). Examples of NHS-funded courses include:

  • Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner
  • Adult Psychotherapy 
  • Associate Psychological Practitioner
  • Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy 
  • Children's Wellbeing Practitioner  
  • Clinical Associate in Psychology (apprenticeship)
  • Clinical Psychology
  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy 
  • Core counselling training (including the three-year IAPT Psychotherapeutic Counselling Training)
  • Counselling Psychology (not currently NHS funded) 
  • Dialectical Behaviour Therapy
  • Education Mental Health Practitioner 
  • Family and Systemic Psychotherapy (qualifying level) 
  • Forensic Psychology 
  • Health Psychology 
  • Mental Health and Wellbeing Practitioner
  • Youth Intensive Psychological Practitioner

Access to an appropriate work setting where you can undertake at least three days per week of face-to-face CBT practice in primary care and provide audio/video recordings of client sessions for assessment in an academic setting.

To take responsibility as the applicant to secure an appropriate placement (NHS Talking Therapies commissioned placement or equivalent), where you will work for three days per week for the 12-month duration of the course. Please ensure this is secured prior to applying.

Access to a BABCP-accredited workplace supervisor who can offer weekly supervision.

To meet the Staffordshire University required level of proficiency in English – IELTS Level 7 or equivalent.

To check if you are eligible to apply for training please see:

You will be required to undertake a written assessment and an interview before being admitted to the course. You will also need to demonstrate that you have the necessary interpersonal and academic abilities to achieve the award.

Consistent with the NHS Constitution, we adopt a values-based recruitment approach in selecting candidates with the appropriate values to support effective team-working and the delivery of excellent patient care.

The course runs from September to September. As this is a level 7 postgraduate course, the application process involves academic screening, during which you will be assessed on your skills in critically evaluating research. Please ensure you have applied to your placement by the end of June to be considered. If you are planning to self-fund, please contact us on CBTCourses@staffs.ac.uk.

Careers

After completing the course, you will be equipped to work as a high-intensity cognitive behavioural therapist. You should then be eligible to apply for provisional accreditation as a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist with the BABCP.

On successful completion of the PgDip, you will be able to:

  • Demonstrate in-depth understanding of the key principles of CBT for depression and anxiety disorders, and the evidence-base for the application of CBT techniques
  • Collaboratively create both maintenance and developmental CBT conceptualisations with clients presenting with depression and/or a range of anxiety disorders
  • Create CBT-specific idiosyncratic treatment plans
  • Systematically practice CBT with clients presenting with depression and/or anxiety disorders, in an innovative way that allows for high-quality clinical outcomes
  • Identify and effectively problem-solve complex issues arising in CBT practice
  • Recognise your own accountability and take responsibility for clinical decision-making in both straightforward and more complex situations
  • Use your own initiative and originality in tackling and resolving therapeutic problems
  • Practice as a “reflective scientist practitioner”, advancing your knowledge and understanding and developing new skills to a high level
  • Take a critical stance towards theoretical and research evidence for cognitive behavioural models, and demonstrate an ability to evaluate the evidence

Eager for more knowledge? Upon completion, you will be ideally placed for further academic study at top-up Masters level.

All students have access to Career Connect, our dedicated careers team.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

We are currently adopting a hybrid approach, with teaching/supervision either taking place online or in Blackheath Lane Campus in Staffordshire. However, the method of teaching delivery will be continuously guided by Health Education England and is therefore subject to change.

We know that everyone learns differently. So not only do we use traditional ways of teaching, such as lectures, we also use problem-based learning to help you apply your skills.

For this course, you will:

  • Attend academic lectures and skills workshops
  • Take part in group work
  • Delve deeper into subject areas in workshops
  • Take part in skills acquisition through extensive role-play
  • Take part in individual tutorials
  • Undertake enquiry-based learning
  • Be expected to study independently
  • Engage in individual and group clinical supervision both within the clinical placement setting and within the university

Our teaching is supported through our Virtual Learning Environment called Blackboard. This means you can access a range of materials to support your lectures wherever you are.

Assessment

There are two types of assessments: practice (also called formative) or formal (also called summative).

Practice assessments do not count towards your final mark. These are your chance to test your understanding – and learn how to improve for the real thing.

You will have formal assessments at the end of each module. These assessments could include:

  • Clinical case study reports (including self-reflection)
  • Assessed video or audio recordings of therapy sessions
  • Professional practice portfolios
  • Presentations of clinical cases

Learning support

Your course tutors will provide lots of support. But you can also take advantage of our Academic Skills team, who can help you with:

  • Study skills (including reading, note-taking and presentation skills)
  • Written English (including punctuation, grammar)
  • Academic writing (including how to reference)
  • Research skills
  • Critical thinking
  • Revision, assessment, and exam skills (including time management)

Additional support

If you have additional needs like dyslexia or a sensory impairment, then our Student Inclusion Services are here to help make sure nothing stands in your way.

Learning support

Your course tutors will provide lots of support. But you can also take advantage of our Academic Skills team, who can help you with:

  • Study skills (including reading, note-taking and presentation skills)
  • Written English (including punctuation, grammar)
  • Academic writing (including how to reference)
  • Research skills
  • Critical thinking
  • Revision, assessment and exam skills (including time management)

Additional support

If you have additional needs like dyslexia or a sensory impairment, then our Student Inclusion Services are here to help make sure nothing stands in your way.

Feedback

We know that it is important for you to be able to gauge your progress. So, your tutor will give you feedback on any practice assessments you do.

We usually give you feedback on formal assessments within 20 working days, but the format will vary for each module.

Your study time will include scheduled classes, independent learning and assessments.

Independent learning

As well as timetabled sessions, we know it’s important for you to discover things on your own terms. This could involve: 

  • Reading journals, articles and books
  • Working on projects, alone or in a group
  • Researching in the library
  • Preparing coursework
  • Getting ready for exams

We’ve invested in state-of-the-art facilities to help you make the most of your private study time. Whether you need a library, a computer, or a lab, you’ll find it at Staffordshire University.

Fees

For the course starting on 23 September 2024 the tuition fees are:

Tuition fees for PgDip-Full-time
Study option UK / Channel Islands
Full-time To be confirmed

If you would like to know more about the fees listed and what this means to you then please get in touch with our Enquiries Team.

Alumni discount

If you've previously completed a Staffordshire University undergraduate degree (excluding HND and foundation degrees) you may be entitled to a discount of up to 25% off your course fees for any subsequent postgraduate taught course (terms apply, see the alumni discount page for details). If you have any questions about how this relates to you, please contact feesandbursaries@staffs.ac.uk.

Included in tuition fees
Included in the fees:
  • Workplace clinical supervision
Not included in tuition fees
Not included in the fees:
  • BABCP membership
  • Course books
  • Specific journal articles
  • Audio-visual recording equipment
Accommodation and living costs
Accommodation and living costs

Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees. 

For more information on accommodation and living costs, please see: Accommodation

Sources of financial support

Funding is available via NHS West Midlands to support individuals who are employed in relevant NHS, Local Authority and Third Sector mental health services in undertaking this course. Funding arrangements are as follows:

  • For new posts in IAPT services – 100% salary costs (backfill) for 12 months and 100% course fees.
  • Replacement posts in IAPT services – 100% course fees
  • Existing posts in non-IAPT mental health services – 100% salary costs (backfill) for 12 months and 100% course fees

Note: This could be subject to change.

Apply

Applications are not currently available for this course.

Rules and regulations

If you are offered a place at Staffordshire University, your offer will be subject to our rules, regulations and enrolment conditions, which may vary from time to time.

Students of Staffordshire University enter into a contract with us and are bound by these rules and regulations, which are subject to change. For more information, please see: University Policies and Regulations

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