Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) (Severe Mental Health) (PGCert)

Develop your cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) knowledge and skills with this advanced course in CBT for severe mental health conditions. This year long postgraduate certificate aligns with the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) requirements and can count towards your accreditation as an individual practitioner.

You’ll gain an in-depth understanding of cognitive behavioural concepts, models and methods.

By studying both theory and research-based evidence, you’ll develop essential skills in:

• collaborative assessment
• formulation and treatment
• critical decision-making

Your choice of modules will allow you to develop specialist skills in line with the needs of your clinical practice:

• CBT for psychosis and bipolar
• CBT for personality presentations

This is a flexible programme, with most students working in clinical settings and attending the University at least one day a week.

The key difference between this award and the CBT (Severe Mental Health) (PG Dip) is that applicants for this advanced course already have a good working knowledge of CBT for anxiety and depression.

Flexible study

If you prefer, you can apply to study this course as:

• a part-time master's - study the same course content over 2 or more years

Your modules and fees may vary if you choose a different study option.

Course lead

This course is led by Dr Katherine Newman-Taylor. Katherine works on the CBT and Clinical Psychology programmes at the University, and as a Consultant Clinical Psychologist with the local NHS trust. Their clinical interests are in working with people with psychosis, and in adopting a cognitive behavioural approach to living well with voices and paranoia.

Learn more on Dr Newman-Taylor's staff profile page.

Academic

You’ll need a 2:1 degree in one of the following subjects:

• psychology
• medicine
• social work
• occupational therapy
• nursing
• or an equivalent professional qualification

If you have a nursing qualification that is not a degree, it must be equivalent to an undergraduate degree.

Find the equivalent international qualifications for your country.

Professional

You'll need to be already working at a level approaching competency in CBT. This can be demonstrated by one of the following:

• successful completion of a certificate or diploma in CBT (including a CTS-R rating of 30 or above)
• 50 clinical hours of CBT under supervision of an accredited CBT practitioner (including a CTS-R rating of 30 or above)

You must also have prior training, experience or knowledge in:

• CBT
• interpersonal skills
• mental health problems
• general assessment
• understanding of ethical and professional issues

We usually receive applications from qualified mental health professionals (for example, Psychologists, Psychiatrists, Psychiatric Social Workers, Occupational Therapists, and Mental Health Nurses).

If you have a different professional background, you may be considered on an individual basis, by submitting a portfolio of evidence linked to the BABCP 'Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes' criteria.

Careers