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Enhancing Practice: Broadening the Scope of Low Intensity CBT Interventions

Module description

The success of low intensity CBT, originally implemented as part of the IAPT programme in England, but now being implemented into mainstream mental health service provision in several countries worldwide has stimulated considerable and on-going development. This has resulted in developments in, and extensions to, the low intensity clinical method. This module will provide you with the opportunity to update and expand your competencies in the low intensity clinical method through attendance at ‘low intensity clinical Masterclasses’ delivered by Clinical Education, Development and Research (CEDAR). ‘Masterclasses’ have been developed to address areas in the original curriculum that need enhancement or to address emerging areas of practice in low intensity CBT, reflecting developments in this area. Your skills and competencies in delivering the low-intensity CBT clinical interventions covered in the ‘Masterclasses’ will be enhanced through the development of competency and assessment of written case studies.   

Module aims - intentions of the module

The aim of this module is to enable you to develop and enhance your competency in low intensity CBT through attendance at a number of ‘Masterclasses’ provided by CEDAR. Through a choice of ‘Masterclasses’ you will be able to enhance your practice in the delivery of a range of newly developed low intensity interventions or in the low intensity treatment of psychological difficulties increasingly covered within Step 2 working or covering psychological difficulties that Step 2 is now being considered suitable for at a national level, especially arising from changes to the PWP national curriculum that are soon to be implemented. Developing your ability in formulating, writing and presenting clinical case studies will enhance your competencies in the interventions covered by the ‘Masterclasses’ and in your clinical competency more generally. 

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Describe the theoretical basis and evidence base regarding the low intensity interventions covered in the selected ‘Master classes’ currently being implemented within services
• 2. Demonstrate and complete case studies to reflect upon clinical competence in supporting and adapting low-intensity interventions introduced within the selected ‘Masterclasses’
• 3. Critically evaluate ways the clinical interventions covered in the selected ‘Masterclasses’ may have impact upon further developments in low intensity CBT
• 4. Describe the core aspects of implementation science and critically evaluate the extent to which they have been applied within the IAPT programme.

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 5. Critically evaluate and analyse empirical research evidence, and assess the reliability of empirical evidence using a range of defined techniques.
• 6. Address systematically complex problems regarding adaptations to your practice which may be framed within unpredictable contexts, think critically, creatively, and independently, and fully appreciate the complexities of the issues.

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 7. Appraise your personal limitations in training and experience, and reflect upon the impact of these during personal development and the implications of these for further training.
• 8. Manage your own learning using the full range of resources of the clinical discipline and with minimum guidance.

Syllabus plan

The module will run over 5 taught days across three terms to enhance personal reflection and ongoing competency development. Three of these days will be delivered as individual ‘Masterclasses’ which will each cover a new low intensity CBT intervention being implemented into IAPT services., or enhance your competency in working with an increasing range of patient groups that LI CBT is increasingly being applied to. To reflect student or service need, these will be chosen from a wider selection of IAPT ‘Masterclasses’ provided by CEDAR. Day 1 will enable you to appreciate and consider implementation science with particular reference to the way it may facilitate inclusion of new interventions within your service, whilst day 5 will enable you to reflect upon your own practice in supporting interventions covered in the attended ‘Masterclasses’. Across the 5 days, time in class will be divided between theoretical teaching, working with case studies and clinical simulation. 

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Two assessments are required for this module. In all cases re-assessment will be the same as the original assessment. Where you have been referred/deferred for any form of assessment detailed above you will have the opportunity to retake within four weeks from the date that feedback was provided.

If you pass re-assessments taken as a result of deferral, your re-assessment will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment and the overall module mark will not be capped.

If you pass re-assessments taken as a result of referral (i.e. following initial failure in the assessment), the overall module mark will be capped at 50%.

If you fail re-assessments taken as a result of referral (i.e. following initial failure in the assessment), you will be failed in the module and as a consequence you will be failed in the programme and your registration as a student of the University will be terminated.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Core reading:

• McHugh, R.K. and Barlow, D.H. (Eds) (2012). Dissemination and Implementation of Evidence-Based Psychological Treatments. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

• Clark, D.M. (2011). Implementing NICE guidelines for the psychological treatment of depression and anxiety disorders: The IAPT experience. International Review of Psychiatry: 83:318-327

Wider reading:

• Kelly, B. (2013). Implementing Implementation Science: Reviewing the Quest to Develop Methods and Frameworks for Effective Implementation. Journal of Neurology and Psychology: 1: 5.

• McHugh, R.K. and Barlow, D.H. (Eds) (2010). The dissemination and implementation of evidence-based psychological treatments: A review of current efforts. American Psychologist: 65: 73-84.

Further reading will be specified within the chosen Masterclasses.

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

All resources will be made available on ELE. This includes additional material covered in the tutorials, the required readings, information about assessment and additional material (e.g., videos).

Indicative learning resources - Other resources

DVD competency clips from IAPT and University of Exeter CEDAR teaching team.

Key words search

Low intensity, CBT, implementation science, case study, IAPT, Master classes