Cognitive Behavioural Therapy PGCert

The demand for psychological therapies is increasing and CBT is an evidence-based approach recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for a wide range of mental health conditions, yet the availability of appropriately trained therapists in Wales is scarce.

To meet this demand, Bangor University have been commissioned by HEIW to provide Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert CBT) and Postgraduate Diploma training in CBT (PG Dip CBT).

There are two part-time postgraduate programmes in Cognitive and Behavioural Therapy (CBT) available at Bangor University: a one-year Certificate and a two-year Diploma programme. Students are expected to register for the Certificate in the first instance and must pass all 3 modules to progress to the Diploma. Our programme aims to meet the high-quality standards in education set by the British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies (BABCP). The syllabus is aligned with the BABCP Minimum Training Standards, Core Curriculum and Roth and Pilling competency framework for CBT with anxiety disorders and depression. The programme aims to provide a broad-based training ensuring that on qualification, you are ready to work in the range of mental health services offered across Wales.

Both the PG Cert and PG Dip are one day a week part-time programmes and have the same content in year 1. Academic teaching is delivered primarily as 1 day each week across the academic year. You will be conducting clinical work in your place of employment. You will be supported in your place of work by your clinical supervisor and will also have a personal tutor allocated to you from the University programme who will support you with your academic work and liaise with your clinical supervisor about your progress.

• Aligned with BABCP Minimum Training Standards for practitioner accreditation
• Develop advanced CBT skills for complex and co-morbid mental health presentations
• Focus on evidence-based interventions for depression and anxiety
• Part-time structure supports working professionals
• Taught by experienced clinicians and academic experts in CBT
• Strong employment outcomes in NHS, private practice, and academic settings

What will you study on this course?

We have designed the course in a way that will help trainees build their skills in CBT systematically. In Year One, we focus on helping them develop clinical competence and understanding of how to work with common mental health problems. Firstly, they will learn the generic and core competencies of how to structure clinical sessions and how to elicit pertinent information from their clients during assessment. This will be informed by the Roth and Pilling competence framework and the widely used skills measure the Cognitive Therapy Scale-Revised (CTS-R).

In Year Two, eligible candidates will enroll on the PG Diploma where we will look to consolidate their knowledge and skills in treating common mental health problems whilst considering how we adapt these core models and methods when working with more specialist populations. Transition to Year Two will depend on passing all elements of Year One and available funding.

These modules will help to develop ‘meta-competencies’ where trainees will gain a deeper understanding of the shared processes across clinical presentations (transdiagnostic factors). Trainees will also learn advanced skills to be able to work with specific blocks in treatment or when there is considerable co-morbidity or chronicity.

How you will study?

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Group work
• Self-study
• Mentoring
• One-to-one
• Online workshops
  

How you are assessed?

• Essay
• Oral Presentation
• Written case studies
• Submission of video-recorded therapy

This information is for guide purposes only and may be subject to change.

Placements

Students will be NHS employees who will be allocated time within their working hours to see clients for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in their workplace.

Interviews

Interviews take place in person at Bangor University around June each year and will involve a combination of questions and a role play task.