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Low Intensity Psychological Interventions Graduate and PG Cert

Offered at undergraduate and postgraduate level, our BPS Accredited Programmes in Low Intensity Psychological Interventions (LIPI) provide NHS Talking Therapies training, to those who are currently in full-time employment with NHS Talking Therapies compliant services wanting to become a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP).

Block teaching designed around you

You deserve a positive teaching and learning experience, where you feel part of a supportive community. That’s why most of our postgraduate taught students will enjoy an innovative approach to learning using block teaching, where you will study one module at a time. You will benefit from more regular assessments and feedback, a better study-life balance, and a simplified timetable that provides more time for work, professional development, caring responsibilities, and everything else that's important to you. Our block-taught courses are informed by industry practice, often accredited by professional bodies, and are delivered by passionate and talented academics, who will help you develop the skills to achieve your goals.

Read more about block teaching

Overview

Student-Trainees must secure a full-time trainee PWP position with a local NHS Talking Therapies service provider to enrol on the Programmes. Positions are advertised on the NHS jobs website or through other local NHS Talking Therapies compliant provider organisations.

This programme is not to be confused with the MSc in Psychological Well-being

PWP’s work within the NHS and independent NHS Talking Therapies compliant services as part of the NHS Talking Therapies initiative to help increase access to evidence-based psychological therapies for people with depression and anxiety. They are trained to identify common mental health problems and, where appropriate, provide treatment at a low-intensity level. They also case-manage referrals or signposting to other agencies such as social care organisations.

The Low-Intensity Psychological Interventions Programmes are available at both a Graduate and Postgraduate Certificate level of study. If you don’t currently have an undergraduate degree, you will be eligible for the Graduate Certificate qualification upon successful competition on the course. If you do have an undergraduate degree, you will be eligible for the Postgraduate Certificate.

Reasons to study Low Intensity Psychological Interventions at DMU:

  • The Graduate and Postgraduate Programmes in Low Intensity Psychological Interventions are accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS).
  • Benefit from inter-professional learning and develop a range of transferrable skills, alongside individuals from a range of backgrounds
  • Students are taught by mental health professionals, such as clinical and counselling psychologists, Senior PWPs and CBT-trained Mental Health Nurses, who work collaboratively with the NHS and other NHS Talking Therapies Service Providers
  • Students are employed by NHS and other NHS Talking Therapies Services for the duration of their education and training on the Programmes

Programme Leader

Lisa Evans

E: lisa.evans@dmu.ac.uk

 

DMU has been shortlisted for the Postgraduate Award in the 2024 Whatuni Student Choice Awards (WUSCAs), as voted for by students.

 Psyche_WEB_PAcT Accredited_2012

 

Entry criteria

Student-Trainees must secure a full-time trainee PWP position with a local NHS Talking Therapies service provider to enrol on the Programmes. Positions are advertised on the NHS jobs website or through other local NHS Talking Therapies compliant provider organisations.

All applicants are required to undergo a rigorous selection procedure which includes an individual interview, a reading comprehension and writing test, and tests of clinical and group work skills. An Enhanced DBS is also required.

 

 

Structure and assessment

 

Programme modules

Teaching and assessment

Accreditations

 

 

The programme consists of 3 modules at 20 credits

Module 1 – Engagement and Assessment of People with Common Mental Health Problems

Module 2 - Evidence-based Low Intensity Treatments for Common Mental Health Problems

Module 3 - Values, Diversity and Context

The first module, Engagement and Assessment of People with Common Mental Health Problems, equips students with knowledge about the incidence, prevalence and presentation of common mental health problems and evidenced-based treatment choices.

The second module, Evidence Based Low Intensity Psychological Interventions for Common Mental Health Problems, equips students with an overview of how PWPs aid clinical improvement through the provision of information and support for evidence-based low intensity psychological treatments and regularly used pharmacological treatments for common mental health problems. 

The third module, Values, Diversity & Context, exposes students to the concepts of diversity, inclusion and multiculturalism and equips students with the necessary knowledge and competencies to operate in an inclusive values-driven service and to apply effective principles of working in a team (e.g. case management & supervision).

Note: All modules are indicative and based on the current academic session. Course information is correct at the time of publication and is subject to review. Exact modules may, therefore, vary for your intake in order to keep content current. If there are changes to your course we will, where reasonable, take steps to inform you as appropriate.

 

Teaching and assessment

At the heart of the programme is the practice-based learning at the NHS Talking Therapies service that offers the placement. Students are required to complete a minimum of 80 clinical contact hours with patients (face-to-face or on the telephone) within an NHS Talking Therapies service (or equivalent stepped care service) as a requirement of their training and should undertake a minimum of 40 hours of supervision of which at least 20 hours should be case management supervision and at least 20 hours should be clinical skills supervision. Each module has practice based learning outcomes that have to be met during the clinical placement.

The three 20-credit modules consist of 200 hours of learning each. The Programmes run for a total of 45 days, 30 of which are spent in teaching-based activities on-campus. The remaining 15 days are spent in directed, practice-based learning (DPBL) within an NHS Talking Therapies Service or a University-designated context. 

Assessments consist of a variety of activities in which student-trainees demonstrate fundamental acquisition of required knowledge and clinical competencies; these include but are not limited to formative and summative role play videos with actors, videos with service users, review of journal articles, written examinations, clinical case planning presentations, case reports, written reflections, case and supervision logs and portfolios, 

 

Accreditations

The LIPI Graduate and Postgraduate Certificate Programmes are accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS).

Facilities and features

 
Placements
Placements
Placements
Placements
 

Facilities and features

Student-trainees are offered the resources of the Psychology Division as well as the University, including access to the Library, academic skills support such as CLASS, and mental health and wellbeing support. In addition, the NHS Talking Therapies Team liaises with the NHS Talking Therapies Service to provide clinical practice supervision; the NHS Talking Therapies Team provides teaching, facilitation of learning, observation and supervision in relation to students’ knowledge and skill development within the practice area.

For clinical practice and supervision, the workplace is intended to provide trainees with opportunities to develop the specific knowledge and skills required of low intensity workers in applied settings.

The DMU PWP Link Tutor assigned to the student-trainees supports their clinical work, for example, by visiting them on placement and facilitating the development of their clinical skills. The DMU PWP Link tutor aids the student and the clinical supervisor in their roles, such as, in addition to the above, scheduling regular visits to meet with supervisors and Service Leads. Also students are assigned a Personal Tutor who supports their academic work on the programme, who is a point of contact for pastoral support, and who is involved in placement support. 

Library services

On campus, the main Kimberlin Library offers a space where you can work, study and access a vast range of print materials, with computer stations, laptops, plasma screens and assistive technology also available. 

As well as providing a physical space in which to work, we offer online tools to support your studies, and our extensive online collection of resources accessible from our Library website, e-books, specialised databases and electronic journals and films which can be remotely accessed from anywhere you choose. 

We will support you to confidently use a huge range of learning technologies, including Learning Zone, Collaborate Ultra, DMU Replay, MS Teams, Turnitin and more. Alongside this, you can access LinkedIn Learning and learn how to use Microsoft 365, and study support software such as mind mapping and note-taking through our new Digital Student Skills Hub. 

The library staff offer additional support to students, including help with academic writing, research strategies, literature searching, reference management and assistive technology. There is also a ‘Just Ask’ service for help and advice, live LibChat, online workshops, tutorials and drop-ins available from our Learning Services, and weekly library live chat sessions that give you the chance to ask the library teams for help.

Learning zones

Our Learning Zones and The Greenhouse also provide space for group or individual work and study.

There are 1,600 study places across all library locations, more than 700 computer stations, laptops to borrow, free wi-fi and desktop power outlets.

You can also book rooms with plasma screens, laptops and DVD facilities for group work and presentations, secure an individual study room with adjustable lighting or make use of our assistive technology.

Opportunities and careers

Find the people who will open doors for you

DMU's award-winning careers service provides guaranteed work experience opportunities DMU Careers Team
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Opportunities and careers

Recruitment and selection for these Programmes is through an appropriate NHS Talking Therapies Service and the student-trainee is employed by this Service. 

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