PGCert in Enhanced Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (Psychosis and Bipolar)
This is a part-time taught course that offers comprehensive training in Enhanced Cognitive Behavioural Therapy with a specialism in Psychosis and Bipolar.
Closed to applications for entry in 2026-27. Register to receive an email when applications open (for entry in 2027-28).
- Expected length:
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- Part time: 11 months
- Expected start date:
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- Part time:
- English language level:
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- Higher level required
About the course
To apply to this course you must have already completed or be in the process of completing the University's PGCert in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy or equivalent high-intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy training (see Entry requirements for further details).
This course aims to equip experienced CBT healthcare professionals with the enhanced CBT skills necessary to implement evidence-based treatment across a wide range of clinical presentations, and to disseminate these treatments as trainers and supervisors to other practitioners.
The course seeks to enable students to develop a sound understanding of cognitive behavioural models of psychosis and bipolar and the related evidence base; competence in engaging, assessing and developing collaborative formulations with individuals with psychotic and bipolar presentations; and competence to deliver high quality, individualised, evidence- based interventions in accordance with NICE guidance, the competence framework for work with people with psychosis and bipolar disorder (Roth & Pilling 2013), and the Health Education England national curriculum for CBT for severe mental health presentations.
This course is designed to help you achieve certain aims. By the end of the course, students should be able to:
- appreciate how theory, research and clinical practice inform each other in cognitive behavioural therapy for psychosis and bipolar presentations, contributing to its continued development
- establish and practise a repertoire of enhanced cognitive behavioural skills
- develop the ability to apply these skills with patients with psychotic and bipolar presentations and associated problems in their own places of work
- establish and maintain warm, respectful, collaborative relationships, and develop the ability to understand and manage difficulties in the alliance (including the student’s contribution) using a cognitive conceptual framework
- through consultation, identify and resolve difficulties in practice, whether arising from theoretical, practical, interpersonal, personal or ethical problems.
You will be expected to have access to treatment settings with regular clinical and CBT supervision where cognitive behavioural therapy for psychosis and bipolar skills can be practised and refined on a regular basis.
Course structure
The course comprises teaching over three terms: running from October to the end of June.
Teaching and supervision typically take place on Thursdays and students should keep all Thursdays during term time free for course related teaching, supervision, and study. There will also be some Fridays required for teaching and supervision (a total of five Fridays across terms one and two).
Reading, completion of written assignments and presentations will be undertaken in addition to the teaching days. Many students find it effective to set aside at least six to seven hours a week for private study.
Some of the teaching days on this course may be made available to a wider audience as publicly bookable workshops via the Oxford Cognitive Therapy Centre. This enables course participants to interact and share with a broader group of specialist practitioners. All participants will be expected to have an appropriate level of competence to participate fully.
Core components
You will undertake teaching and supervision, and complete coursework.
Course details
Entry requirements
For entry in 2026-27