PGCert Psychological Therapies Practice (Severe Mental Health Problems: CBT for Psychosis and Bipolar Disorder or Personality Disorder)
Please note: This page is for 2027 entry. Click here for 2026 entry.
| UCAS code | 1234 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 1 year part-time |
| Entry year | 2026 |
| Campus |
Online: remote delivery |
| Typical offer | For NHS employees working in community mental health services with people who have a psychosis, bipolar or personality disorder diagnosis |
|---|---|
| UCAS code | 1234 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 1 year part-time |
| Entry year | 2026 |
| Campus |
| Typical offer | For NHS employees working in community mental health services with people who have a psychosis, bipolar or personality disorder diagnosis |
|---|---|
Why study PGCert Psychological Therapies Practice (Severe Mental Health Problems: CBT for Psychosis and Bipolar Disorder or Personality Disorder) at Exeter?
- 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 teaching approaches
Dedicated training facilities equipped with video and audio recording
A strong emphasis throughout the programme is placed upon your personal and professional development
CEDAR is 1st in the sector for student satisfaction in three out of seven themes
National Student Survey 2025
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.
Please note that the module information displayed here is subject to change.
60 credits of compulsory and non-condonable modules.
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory 1 | ||
| Working with Complexity: Essential Competencies for Working with People with Psychosis and Bipolar Disorder | 20 | |
| Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for Psychosis and Bipolar Disorder - Theory | 20 | |
| Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for Psychosis and Bipolar Disorder - Clinical Practice | 20 | |
PYCM107: Working with Complexity: Essential Competencies for Working with People with Psychosis and Bipolar Disorder
The module focuses on the essential knowledge and clinical competencies (skills) required to undertake Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) with people with psychosis and bipolar disorder (CBTp) in secondary care contexts. This will include cognitive behavioural models of intervention, assessment and formulation, forming a good therapeutic alliance, dealing with emotion in sessions, managing endings and service transitions, using measures and supervision and delivering group-based interventions in psychosis and bipolar disorder.
Teaching sessions will address the most up-to-date evidence for the effectiveness of CBTp and training in applying CBTp in a range of care provision contexts. Clinical skills teaching will include role-play, experiential exercises and video and case demonstrations. Experiential exercises will encourage self-reflection increase in self-awareness and skill acquisition. Sessions will also incorporate a focus on therapists' beliefs, and this module will focus on developing therapist values and therapist style to establish a therapeutic stance that is associated with good practice in the implementation of with people with psychosis or bipolar disorder.
The module is taught by experienced CBT therapists and clinical psychologists, experienced in working with psychosis and bipolar disorder, and the content is updated regularly in line with the emerging evidence-base.
The aim of this module is to enable you to:
- Develop your knowledge of core competencies required for working with people with psychosis and bipolar disorder, including:an understanding of issues that can interfere with engagement and assessment, and an ability to manage these effectively;
- an ability to develop an individualised formulation of the person's difficulties, accommodating their presenting problems and psychosocial context, as a basis for therapeutic intervention aimed at personal recovery goals and outcomes;
- an understanding of the psychosocial factors associated with risk (e.g. which increase likelihood of suicidal behaviours), including substance misuse and forensic issues;
- an ability to incorporate these factors into an individualised formulation of the person's difficulties;
- an ability to implement risk management strategies, including condition specific and standalone guidance for substance misuse, and work jointly with dedicated substance misuse colleagues;
- a critical understanding of the role of caregivers and/or supporters in supporting people with and of the impact of caregiving /supporting on both the person and the carer / supporter;
- a critical understanding of the person's ethnicity and culture, and the implications for clinical practice, e.g. factors that influence differences in prevalence rates reported and treatment options for ethnic groups, how cultural factors may impact the person's experience of psychosis and bipolar disorder, and cultural adaptations of therapies;
- an ability to adapt clinical work for different stages in the course of psychosis and bipolar disorder;
- an ability to adapt clinical work for specific populations, e.g. with social and communication difficulties, different levels of cognitive ability and across the lifespan.
- Develop and update your knowledge of the fundamental principles of CBT theory, research and practice with people with psychosis and bipolar disorder.
- Develop an advanced knowledge of core clinical skills necessary for CBT practice with people with psychosis and bipolar disorder
Through attending the lectures and clinical skills tutorials, and alongside supervision sessions in module PYCM109, you will develop the following academic and professional skills:
PYCM108: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for Psychosis and Bipolar Disorder - Theory
This module will focus on psychosis and bipolar disorder. The module will provide a strong foundation in the evidence base for working with CBT and for psychosis and bipolar disorder and address the most up-to-date research developments. Workshops and clinical skills tutorials will cover specific cognitive and behavioural models of psychosis and bipolar, evidence base, assessment and specialist treatment strategies. The clinical workshops will provide you with a strong foundation in the evidence base and address the most up-to date research developments. The module will be underpinned by training in knowledge and skills in a therapist stance, values and style that is consistent with good practice in the implementation of CBT with people with psychosis and bipolar.
The module is underpinned by the Roth and Pilling (2013) CBT psychosis and bipolar Disorder Competency Framework and by the National Curriculum for CBT for SMHP (NHS England and NHS Improvement, 2019).
The module is taught by experienced CBT research active therapists and supervisors, experienced in working with psychosis and bipolar disorder, and the content is updated regularly in line with the emerging evidence-base. The module will include relevant published research carried out by the academic team into Bipolar Disorder and Psychosis.
This module aims to develop your:
- Critical knowledge of the theory, research and practice relevant to cognitive behavioural assessment and intervention with people with psychosis and bipolar disorder;
- Practical competencies and clinical skills required to deliver CBT with people with psychosis, including CBT for delusions;
- CBT for persecutory delusions specifically, including interventions targeting contributory factors such as worry, sleep difficulties and safety-seeking behaviours;
- CBT for grandiose beliefs, the function of such beliefs and how to work on these beliefs when they are activated and in between episodes;
- CBT for distressing voices and other hallucinations, including working with harmful compliance to command hallucinations, with 'negative symptoms' and cognitive disorganisation, including social withdrawal, motivational problems and difficulties in thinking;
- Individual CBT for bipolar disorder including work with appraisals, underlying assumptions and core beliefs about mood experiences and bipolar experiences;
- Group CBT informed interventions for bipolar disorder, common core issues around perfectionism, autonomy, guilt and shame with people with bipolar experiences;
- Stage specific interventions and adjustments for age and ability;
- Co-occurring difficulties, including anxiety, depression, trauma, PTSD and emotion dysregulation, in the context of psychosis and bipolar disorder.
- Practical competencies and clinical skills required to deliver CBT with people with bipolar disorder, including individual cognitive behavioural techniques and group-based approaches.
Through attending the related workshops, and through the supervision sessions in module PYCM109, you will develop the following academic and professional skills:
PYCM109: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for Psychosis and Bipolar Disorder - Clinical Practice
This module will focus the development of clinical competency in CBT for psychosis or bipolar disorder for people accessing secondary (Step 4 MH care). The module aims to develop advanced clinical skills and competency in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for these disorders, improving proficiency in the core techniques of CBT, and developing competencies in the specialist techniques applied to psychosis or bipolar disorder. Expert Clinical CBT Supervision will be the vehicle for scaffolding the development of clinical competency aligned to the theoretical workshops and lectures within modules PYCM107 and PYCM108. Clinical Skills sessions within modules PYCM107 and PYCM108 will also further support this development. There will be an emphasis on formulating these disorders both in isolation and when presenting co-morbidly with anxiety disorders and depression, or other long-term conditions, with a consideration of adaptions to treatment in the presence of diagnostic complexity.
The module is underpinned by the Roth and Piling (2013) CBT Competency Framework for the delivery of CBT to people with psychosis or bipolar disorder and by the National Curriculum for CBT for SMHP (NHS England & NHS Improvement, 2019).
This module will provide you with supervision of your clinical practice in order to develop the core clinical competencies (practical skills) necessary to deliver CBT for psychosis and bipolar disorder.
The module is taught/supervised by BABCP-accredited CBT therapists and/ or clinical psychologists experienced in working both with common mental health disorders, and psychosis and bipolar disorder, and the content is updated regularly in line with the emerging evidence base.
The aim of this module is to enable you to:
- Develop practical competency in CBT for psychosis and bipolar disorder including demonstrating the technical expertise needed in the formulation of individual cases and execution of therapy methods;
- Assess the individual's experience psychosis and bipolar disorder, both alone and in the context of SMHP, taking into account clinical manifestations, co-morbidity, past history, present life situation, interpersonal and relationship functioning, and course and outcome;
- Assess risk factors associated with psychosis and bipolar disorder and integrate risk management within treatment plans;
- Collaboratively construct maintenance formulations and treatment plans in cases of psychosis and bipolar disorder, both alone and in relation to SMHP, taking into account client needs, goals, and preferences;
- Negotiate the end of therapy and plan for long term maintenance of gains with evidence of a relapse prevention plan;
- Develop practical skills in formulating and adapting treatment protocols in the presence of co-morbid psychosis or bipolar disorder;
- Develop confidence in articulating clinical formulations underpinned by relevant and up-to-date theory and research.
Through attending the clinical skills workshops in modules PYCM107 and PYCM108, and the supervision sessions in this module you will develop the following academic and professional skills:
Please note that the module information displayed here is subject to change.
60 credits of compulsory and non-condonable modules.
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory 1 | ||
| Working with Complexity: Essential Competencies for Working with People with Personality Disorder | 20 | |
| Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for Personality Disorder - Theory | 20 | |
| Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for Personality Disorder - Clinical Practice | 20 | |
PYCM110: Working with Complexity: Essential Competencies for Working with People with Personality Disorder
The module focuses on the essential knowledge and clinical competencies (skills) required to undertake Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) with people with personality disorder (CBT PD) in secondary care contexts. This will include cognitive behavioural models of intervention, assessment and formulation, forming a good therapeutic alliance, dealing with emotion in sessions, managing endings and service transitions, using measures and supervision and delivering group-based interventions in personality disorder.
Teaching sessions will address the most up-to-date evidence for the effectiveness of CBT PD and training in applying CBT PD in a range of care provision contexts. Clinical skills teaching will include role-play, experiential exercises and video and case demonstrations. Experiential exercises will encourage self-reflection increase in self-awareness and skill acquisition. Sessions will also incorporate a focus on therapists' beliefs, and this module will focus on developing therapist values and therapist style to establish a therapeutic stance that is associated with good practice in the implementation of with people with psychosis or bipolar disorder.
The module is taught by experienced CBT therapists and clinical psychologists, experienced in working with personality disorder, and the content is updated regularly in line with the emerging evidence-base.
The aim of this module is to enable you to:
- develop your knowledge of core competencies required for working with people with personality disorder, including: an understanding of issues that can interfere with engagement and assessment, and an ability to manage these effectively;
- develop an individualised formulation of the person's difficulties, accommodating their presenting problems and psychosocial context, as a basis for therapeutic intervention aimed at personal recovery goals and outcomes;
- evidence an understanding of the psychosocial factors associated with risk (e.g. which increase likelihood of suicidal behaviours) including substance misuse and forensic issues;
- incorporate these factors into an individualised formulation of the person's difficulties;
- implement risk management strategies, including condition specific and standalone guidance for substance misuse, and work jointly with dedicated substance misuse colleagues;
- have a critical understanding of the role of caregivers and/or supporters in supporting people with and of the impact of caregiving /supporting on both the person and the carer / supporter;
- have a critical understanding of the person's ethnicity and culture, and the implications for clinical practice, e.g. factors that influence differences in prevalence rates reported and treatment options for ethnic groups, how cultural factors may impact the person's experience of personality disorder, and cultural adaptations of therapies;
- adapt clinical work for different stages in the course of personality disorder;
- adapt clinical work for specific populations, e.g. with social and communication difficulties, different levels of cognitive ability and across the lifespan;
- develop and update your knowledge of the fundamental principles of CBT theory, research and practice with people with personality disorder;
- develop an advanced knowledge of core clinical skills necessary for CBT practice with people with personality disorder.
Through attending the lectures and clinical skills tutorials, and supervision sessions in module PYCM112, you will develop the following academic and professional skills:
PYCM111: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for Personality Disorder - Theory
This module will focus on personality disorder. The module will provide you with a strong foundation in the evidence base for working with CBT and for personality disorder and address the most up-to-date research developments. In workshops and clinical skills tutorials you will cover specific cognitive and behavioural models of personality disorder, evidence base, assessment and specialist treatment strategies. The clinical workshops will provide you with a strong foundation in the evidence base and address the most up-to date research developments. The module will be underpinned by training you in in knowledge and skills in a therapist stance, values and style that is consistent with good practice in the implementation of CBT with people with a diagnosis of personality disorder.
The module is underpinned by the Roth and Pilling (2013) CBT personality disorder Competency Framework and by the National Curriculum for CBT for SMHP (NHS England and NHS Improvement, 2019).
The module is taught by experienced CBT research active therapists and supervisors, experienced in working with personality disorder, and the content is updated regularly in line with the emerging evidence-base. The module will include relevant published research carried out by the academic team into personality disorder.
The aim of this module is to enable you to:
- Develop practical competency in CBT for personality disorder, including collaboratively construct maintenance formulations and treatment plans in cases of personality disorder, both alone and in relation to SMHP, taking into account client needs, goals, and preferences;
- demonstrating use of clinical judgment in order to adapt and titrate standard interventions for common co-existing disorders and integrate them into the treatment, and to decide when and how to integrate emerging evidence with current practice, and whether, when and how to work beyond the evidence base;
- demonstrating a task-focused approach to intervention while being sensitive to (and being directed by) the client's needs and capacities and tolerance of emotional content, and maintaining a consistent sense of collaboration with the client.
- Develop practical skills in formulating and adapting treatment protocols in the presence of co-morbid anxiety disorders and/or depression,
- Develop confidence in articulating clinical formulations underpinned by relevant and up-to-date theory and research.
Through attending the clinical skills, and supervision sessions as part of module PYCM112, you will develop the following academic and professional skills:
PYCM112: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for Personality Disorder - Clinical Practice
This module will focus on your development of clinical competency in CBT for personality disorder for people accessing secondary (Step 4 MH care). The module aims to develop your advanced clinical skills and competency in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for these disorders (CBT PD), improving proficiency in the core techniques of CBT, and developing competencies in the specialist techniques applied to personality disorder. Expert Clinical CBT Supervision will be the vehicle for scaffolding your development of clinical competency aligned to the theoretical workshops and lectures delivered in modules PYCM110 and PYCM111. Clinical Skills sessions in modules PYCM110 and PYCM111 will further support this development. There will be an emphasis on you formulating these disorders both in isolation and when presenting co-morbidly with anxiety disorders and depression, or other long-term conditions, with a consideration of adaptions to treatment in the presence of diagnostic complexity.
The module is underpinned by the Roth and Piling (2013) CBT Competency Framework for the delivery of CBT to people with personality disorder and by the National Curriculum for CBT for SMHP (NHS England and NHS Improvement, 2019).
This module will provide you with supervision of your clinical practice in order to develop the core clinical competencies (practical skills) necessary to deliver CBT for personality disorder.
The module is taught/supervised by BABCP-accredited CBT therapists and/ or clinical psychologists experienced in working both with common mental health disorders, and personality disorder, and the content is updated regularly in line with the emerging evidence base.
The aim of this module is to enable you to:
- Develop practical competency in CBT for personality disorder
- Develop practical skills in formulating and adapting treatment protocols in the presence of co-morbid anxiety disorders and/or depression
- Develop confidence in articulating clinical formulations underpinned by relevant and up-to-date theory and research.
Through attending the clinical skill in modules PYCM110 and PYCM111, and supervision sessions in this module, you will develop the following academic and professional skills:
“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
This course is funded by NHS England, so fees are not typically payable by candidates. If you work for a non-NHS employer and are interested in a self-funded place, please contact our Programme Administrator for more information.
Scholarships
The University of Exeter offers a wide range of scholarships to support your education, with £7 million available for international students applying to study with us in the 2026/27 academic year, including our prestigious Exeter Excellence Scholarships. We also provide awards for sport, music and other achievements, as well as regional and partner scholarships with organisations such as Chevening, The Beacon Trust and the British Council. For more information on scholarships and other financial support, please visit our scholarships and bursaries page.
University of Exeter Alumni Scholarship
We are pleased to offer the University of Exeter Alumni Scholarship, a scholarship for University of Exeter alumni beginning a standalone postgraduate programme in 2026/27 with us a scholarship worth 20% of the cost of your first year tuition fees.
Terms and conditions, including deadlines, apply.
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.
