Dual Diagnosis: Coexistent Mental Illness and Substance Misuse
University Certificate in Professional Development

Course overview

This level 6 award addresses the contemporary challenges of working with people who suffer from mental health and substance misuse in a wide range of settings, from housing to prisons and schools. This module is beneficial for professionals from a diverse range of backgrounds registered with NMC, GMC, BPS, BABCP, HSPC BACP. The purpose of the award is to develop a greater understanding of the issues of coexistent mental health and substance misuse including both diagnosis and methods of assessment of coexistent issues.

Where you study

This award is delivered at the Centre for Professional and Executive Development, Darlington campus.

Course details

What you study

• Assessment: mental health, physical health and substance misuse
• Assessment of risk
• Combining mental health treatment and substance misuse treatment
• Motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioural therapy
• Relapse management and self-help approaches
• Group work involving families and carers
• Different settings and populations
• Skills required to study at level 6

How you learn

A range of strategies are used to support learning in the classroom including short lectures, presentations, roleplays and other activities. You are encouraged to share experiences and learning with other students, deliver presentations and facilitate group work. Scenario-based seminars develop your decision making and problem solving skills.

The e-learning environment is used between the face-to-face study days.

How you are assessed

The assessment is through a 4,000 word case study focusing upon the assessment and intervention process with one service user with a diagnosis of mental illness and coexistent substance misuse.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

You must be a registered professional with NMC, GMC, BPS, BABCP, HSPC, BACP. You must also be working with a service user with a mental illness and coexistent substance misuse issue

Employability

Career opportunities

This award enables graduate professionals to develop a greater understanding of the issues of coexistent mental health and substance misuse including diagnosis, assessment and potential interventions and thereby enabling you to work with this population of service users.