Psychological Intervention (CBT) PGDip

Why choose this course

• Study a curriculum designed to meet standards set by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and underpinned by core NHS values, to help people use cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to understand and manage their own thoughts and feelings in their daily lives.
• Spend part of your training in clinical placements, to practise your skills in healthcare settings, under the supervision of qualified practitioners.
• Access our state-of-the-art psychology facilities, including a six-room virtual reality suite and two observation laboratories, and use the latest equipment to conduct experiments.
• Learn from lecturers who are experienced CBT practitioners.
• Get the British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies’ (BABCP) minimum training standards for the practice of CBT, to become eligible to apply for accreditation and work as a high intensity CBT practitioner.

What you will study

You’ll learn how to effectively deliver CBT to help patients improve their emotional and mental wellbeing. We'll challenge you with current issues in therapeutic practice and you’ll benefit from clinical presentations and input from people using CBT services. You'll be exposed to a range of learning experiences, ensuring theory is integrated with practice.

You’ll learn about assessment and formulation for common mental health problems and the CBT framework used to treat these. You’ll explore some of the challenges and dilemmas in working with more complex, chronic or co-morbid presentations of anxiety and depression, and you’ll be introduced to the theory, research and practice of some of the newer third wave approaches to CBT.

You’ll receive expert clinical supervision and learn how to use this effectively within a professional and ethical framework. You'll also be supported to apply CBT to your own experiences as a therapist to enhance your practice. Upon completion of the course, you’ll be a confident and competent therapist, able to provide effective, informed psychological treatment.

Careers and graduate prospects

We offer careers information, advice and guidance to all students whilst studying with us, which is extended to our alumni for three years after leaving the University. Our graduates have lifetime access to Surrey Pathfinder, our online portal for appointment and events bookings, jobs, placements and interactive development tools.

A minimum of a 2:2 in a relevant UK honours degree. You must have a minimum of two years post-qualification mental health experience and a relevant Core Professional Training in applied psychology, psychiatry, nursing, counselling, psychotherapy, occupational therapy or social work, or relevant clinical experience and training demonstrated by a successful KSA portfolio to apply. All offers will be made subject to receiving evidence of health screening and DBS checks provided by your employer. This is a regulated course that requires declaration of criminal convictions at the application stage.