Programme Specification for the 2023/4 academic year
PGCert Psychological Therapies Practice (Severe Mental Health Problems: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Psychosis and Bipolar Disorder)
1. Programme Details
| Programme name | PGCert Psychological Therapies Practice (Severe Mental Health Problems: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Psychosis and Bipolar Disorder) | Programme code | PCT1PSYPSY06 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Study mode(s) | Part Time |
Academic year | 2023/4 |
| Campus(es) | Streatham (Exeter) |
NQF Level of the Final Award | 7 (Masters) |
2. Description of the Programme
The PGCert Psychological Therapies Practice (Severe Mental Health Problems: CBT for Psychosis and Bipolar Disorder) programme is aimed at qualified mental health professionals with BABCP accreditable qualification in the delivery Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for common mental health problems (such as Nurse Therapists, Clinical/Counselling Psychologists, Psychotherapists, Counsellors, and Psychiatrists) and clinical experience of working with people living with psychosis. It provides intensive skills training in accordance with British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies (BABCP) guidelines for good practice.
Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapists working in secondary care services will assess and treat clients with psychosis and bipolar disorder and comorbid common mental health problems using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for psychosis (CBTp). CBT is recommended in the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines as part of the evidence-based care packages for psychosis and bipolar disorder. The approach works to reduce distress, enhance understanding, alleviate symptoms, and have a positive impact on social inclusion, employment, and productivity.
The programme prepares trainees to provide CBTp within services. It is delivered to the competencies and meta-competencies outlined in the Roth and Pilling (2007) competence framework for CBT, the Roth and Pilling (2013) competence framework for psychological interventions with people with psychosis and bipolar disorder, and the associated curriculum. The discipline maintains a firm commitment to evidence-based clinical practice and as such we endeavour to ensure all our training programmes are firmly embedded within current research.
Audio-visual recordings of clinical sessions are made throughout the clinical work conducted in appropriate clinic settings. Codes of Ethics [e.g. BABCP Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics and/or workplace Policies] are strictly adhered to in terms of making the recordings, seeking permission for use and storage of information. Signed consent forms are required to show clients have understood the reasons for and manner of audio recording.
3. Educational Aims of the Programme
The programme will have a cognitive-behavioural theoretical base with preference for approaches with the soundest evidence and where cognitive and behavioural techniques are integrated in therapy and fully compliant with competence framework for psychological interventions with people with psychosis and bipolar disorder and the associated curriculum. In addition to providing practical intensive and detailed skills training to facilitate skill development to a defined standard of competency, the programme will aim to increase trainees’ knowledge base of theory, psychological therapy, and research in CBT and intervention in psychosis and bipolar disorder and aims to promote a critical approach to the subject. It will aim to equip trainees to become skilled and creative independent CBT psychotherapists, in accordance with BABCP guidelines for good practice and to contribute to the further development of CBTp and CBT.
The programme will provide opportunities for trainees to develop and demonstrate knowledge, understanding and skills in the following areas:
- To develop practical competency in Cognitive-Behaviour Therapy for psychosis, bipolar disorder and within the context of secondary care services
- To develop critical knowledge of the theoretical and research literature relating to CBT in the context of psychosis and bipolar disorder
The programme is suited to CBT therapists working within secondary care services wishing to develop their skills in CBT for psychosis and bipolar disorder. The programme is also suitable for those working in Early Intervention in Psychosis services wishing to develop these skills as part of the UK government initiative to achieve access to NICE-recommended care packages for 50% of individuals experiencing first episode psychosis within two weeks of referral.
4. Programme Structure
5. Programme Modules
The following tables describe the programme and constituent modules. Constituent modules may be updated, deleted or replaced as a consequence of the annual programme review of this programme.
http://cedar.exeter.ac.uk/programmes/
Stage 1
60 credits of compulsory and non-condonable modules.
Compulsory Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| PYCM107 | Working with Complexity: Essential Competencies for Working with People with Psychosis and Bipolar Disorder | 20 | Yes |
| PYCM108 | Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for Psychosis and Bipolar Disorder - Theory | 20 | Yes |
| PYCM109 | Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for Psychosis and Bipolar Disorder - Clinical Practice | 20 | Yes |
6. Programme Outcomes Linked to Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods
Intended Learning Outcomes
A: Specialised Subject Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
1. Construct maintenance and developmental CBT conceptualisations for psychosis and bipolar disorder. | Lectures, workshops, small group activities, and group tutorials based at the University. Guided independent study. Group clinical supervision of practice incorporating analysis of recorded practice and written supervision feedback. | 7000-word psychosis/bipolar disorder extended case report 30-minute psychosis/bipolar disorder case presentation 2 End of Therapy Letters CTS-Psy assessment of four full video-recorded therapy sessions with two clients with psychosis/bipolar disorder (two formative and two summative) 4 x 500-word self-practice self-reflection summaries plus 4 x 500-word background and evolving formulation of cases to accompany the assessments of recorded sessions Clinical practice portfolio including two university supervisor reports (formative and summative), one workplace supervision report, evidence of 30 hours of BABCP Accredited Clinical Supervision, evidence of 80 hours of clinical CBT practice, evidence of completed treatment of 4 clients with psychosis/bipolar disorder |
Intended Learning Outcomes
B: Academic Discipline Core Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
5. Practice as a scientist practitioner, advancing your knowledge and understanding and develop new skills to a high level. | See above. | See above. |
Intended Learning Outcomes
C: Personal/Transferable/Employment Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
9. Take personal responsibility for clinical decision making in straightforward and more complex situations. | See above. | See above. |
7. Programme Regulations
Programme-specific Progression Rules
You must pass all the modules in the table above. The pass mark for these modules is 50% with an additional requirement to pass all individual assessments within individual modules. If you fail any modules you will not be permitted to continue with the programme and your registration as a student will be terminated with immediate effect.
Classification
Full details of assessment regulations for all taught programmes can be found in the TQA Manual, specifically in the Credit and Qualifications Framework, and the Assessment, Progression and Awarding: Taught Programmes Handbook. Additional information, including Generic Marking Criteria, can be found in the Learning and Teaching Support Handbook.
8. College Support for Students and Students' Learning
Within Psychology there is a well-equipped suite of PCs dedicated for postgraduate use, with further support provided by a dedicated IT and statistics helpdesk.
A range of services is available to support your study both from within Psychology. These include:
- Team development programme.
- Personal and professional development planning.
- Student handbooks and programme guides.
- Range of specialist advisors, including for: women students, non-school leavers, and overseas students.
- Computing and Statistics Help Desk.
- Virtual Resource Room and other web-based learning materials.
- Clinically focused seminars, the ‘Think Tank’, provided by the Mood Disorders Centre.
9. University Support for Students and Students' Learning
Please refer to the University Academic Policy and Standards guidelines regarding support for students and students' learning.
10. Admissions Criteria
Undergraduate applicants must satisfy the Undergraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.
Postgraduate applicants must satisfy the Postgraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.
Specific requirements required to enrol on this programme are available at the respective Undergraduate or Postgraduate Study Site webpages.
Applicants must demonstrate evidence of a qualification in a Core Mental Health Profession or equivalent (KSA), post-qualification experience working with people with psychosis, the ability to work effectively at Master’s level, and an interest in and enthusiasm for psychological approaches to working with people with psychosis. In addition, applicants must demonstrate advanced experience of delivering CBT as would be evidenced by a diploma or equivalent in CBT (e.g. may include a High Intensity IAPT Diploma or a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology) including supervised CBT practice including assessment of competence (e.g. using the CTSr) and presentation of cases.
Staff should additionally have the support of their manager to attend the teaching programme and to deliver structured CBT under supervision for a minimum of one day per week for the duration of the programme.
A workplace clinical supervision structure must be in place to support the non-university clinical work undertaken during the duration of the programme. Clinical training caseloads must be ready prior to commencement of the course.
The workplace is required to provide the trainee with appropriate audio-visual recording equipment for the requirements of the programme, and support the trainee to store the data and transfer it to the university for assessment purposes in line with workplace and national data protection policies/laws. Procedures for gaining and recording consent from clients for audio-recording and taking to university supervision is also required to be in place in time for the programme induction dates which will be about a month before the start of the programme.
Non-standard applications will be considered where applicants can demonstrate the required academic ability alongside existing knowledge, experience and skills developed in the workplace, relevant to this programme. Please contact the Programme Director if you would like to explore whether your prior learning, experience and skills would be acceptable. Candidates will need to undertake an interview and provide evidence of a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
11. Regulation of Assessment and Academic Standards
Each academic programme in the University is subject to an agreed College assessment and marking strategy, underpinned by institution-wide assessment procedures.
The security of assessment and academic standards is further supported through the appointment of External Examiners for each programme. External Examiners have access to draft papers, course work and examination scripts. They are required to attend the Board of Examiners and to provide an annual report. Annual External Examiner reports are monitored at both College and University level. Their responsibilities are described in the University's code of practice. See the University's TQA Manual for details.
14. Awarding Institution
University of Exeter
15. Lead College / Teaching Institution
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
16. Partner College / Institution
Partner College(s)
Not applicable to this programme
Partner Institution
Not applicable to this programme.
17. Programme Accredited / Validated by
0
18. Final Award
PGCert Psychological Therapies Practice (Severe Mental Health Problems: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Psychosis and Bipolar Disorder)
19. UCAS Code
Not applicable to this programme.
20. NQF Level of Final Award
7 (Masters)
21. Credit
| CATS credits | 60 |
ECTS credits | 30 |
|---|
22. QAA Subject Benchmarking Group
23. Dates
| Origin Date | 16/10/2020 |
Date of last revision | 05/11/2020 |
|---|
