Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Psychosis

Course detail Description

The courses have been developed with the South London & Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) and designed in accordance with the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence Schizophrenia Guideline psychological therapy recommendations (NICE, 2003, 2014).

The purpose of the courses is to improve the delivery of cognitive behavioural interventions for people with psychosis. CBTp is a complex therapeutic intervention and requires of independent practitioners an advanced theoretical understanding of cognitive models of psychosis and specialist post-qualification skills in relationship building, assessment, formulation and intervention. Our courses train students in each of these requirements, enabling them to develop competence then mastery in therapy delivery, and to provide consultancy, training and supervision to others.

The courses are modular, following a credit framework. Two clinical skills modules build from early therapy activities (Engagement, Assessment & Formulation – Module 1) through to intervention and specialised applications (Intervention & Supervised Practice; Module 2). Two academic modules develop students’ critical appraisal of the theory underlying psychological models of psychosis (Theoretical background I: Psychological Models, Module 3) and the evidence base for interventions (Theoretical Background II: Interventions, efficacy & future directions, Module 4). Diploma students complete all four modules; clinical skills certificate students complete Module 1 and Module 2 only; theoretical background certificate students complete Modules 3 and Module 4 only.

Click here for a diagram showing the module structure of the programme.

Case supervision is strongly emphasised on the clinical programmes. Weekly morning supervision sessions take place in small groups (four to five) on the teaching day with all supervision carried out by the programme team. Additional close supervision (listening to audio recordings of therapy sessions) is a course requirement.

The programmes deliver the clinical skills and theoretical background to work creatively and effectively with people with a schizophrenia spectrum diagnosis.

The Postgraduate Diploma in CBT for psychosis (CBTp) is designed for qualified mental health practitioners and covers both the clinical skills and theoretical background required to become an innovative and successful practitioner of CBTp. We recommend completion of the programme on a part-time basis, over two years. A fast-track one year full time option is available for students with previous experience of relevant clinical work and masters level study.

The Postgraduate Certificate in Therapy Skills emphasises the clinical skills component of the programme, for mental health practitioners who are primarily concerned with clinical practice, rather than academic development. The Postgraduate Certificate in Theoretical Background is designed for people without a mental health qualification, for researchers or academics, or as an introduction to CBTp. Students attend seminars and workshop teaching in order to acquire a detailed understanding of psychological models and interventions, together with their evidence base, but clinical supervision is not usually provided. Certificate programmes are offered on a part-time basis over a calendar year.

The course begins with three introductory intensive one-day workshops, which aim to provide students with an overview of the model, therapeutic style and content of initial sessions. This is usually a refresher for more experienced students and sets the scene for identifying students' individual learning targets and goals. Teaching modules are examined by assignments – audio recordings, case reports and practice portfolios for the clinical modules; essays and research presentations for the academic modules. Clinical students will be required to work with at least four clients for at least 16 sessions from assessment to completion or termination of therapy over the duration of the programme.

Therapy Skills I: Assessment and Formulation

Lectures (15 hours) | Seminars/Tutorials (37 hours) | Supervised learning/Self study time (248 hours)

Therapy Skills II: Intervention and Supervised Practice

Lectures (15 hours) | Seminars/Tutorials (37 hours) | Supervised learning/Self study time (248 hours)

Theoretical Background I: Psychological Models

Lectures (45 hours) | Seminars/Tutorials (15 hours) | Supervised learning/Self study time (240 hours)

Theoretical Background II: Interventions Efficacy and Future Directions

Lectures (45 hours) | Seminars/Tutorials (15 hours) | Supervised learning/Self study time (240 hours)

Supervised Practice in CBT for Psychosis

Lectures (30 hours) | Seminars/Tutorials (40 hours) | Supervised learning/Self study time (230 hours)

Supervisory Training and Revised Dissemination in CBT for Psychosis

Lectures (30 hours) | Seminars/Tutorials (40 hours) | Supervised learning/Self study time (230 hours)

Contact time is based on 24 academic weeks. Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.

You will be assessed through a combination of coursework and examinations.

Examination (50%) | Coursework (30%) | Practical (20%)

Regulating body
King’s College is regulated by the Higher Education Funding Council for England

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CBT Informed & Carer Supportive Practice in Psychosis GradCert/GradDip

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Structure

Year 1 Required Modules

Courses are divided into modules. You will normally take:

• Postgraduate Diploma – modules totalling 120 credits

• Postgraduate Certificate – modules totalling 60 credits

The required modules vary depending on the qualification. You are required to choose from the following modules:

• Therapy Skills I: Assessment & Formulation (30 credits)

• Therapy Skills II: Intervention & Supervised Practice (30 credits)

• Theoretical Background I: Psychological Models (30 credits)

• Theoretical Background II: Interventions Efficacy & Future Directions (30 credits)

• Supervisory Practice I: Supervised Practice in CBT for Psychosis (30 credits)

• Supervisory Practice II: Supervision, Training & Dissemination (30 credits)