Course overview
The stepped care system is promoted by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). It aims to offer the least intrusive and most effective treatment (low intensity interventions) in the first instance, increasing intensity as required. This course is accredited by the British Psychological Society, and meets the Department of Health’s requirements by:
- providing you with a substantial knowledge base appropriate to master's level study
- helping you develop core therapeutic and technical skills that underpin low intensity psychological interventions
- enabling you to develop a positive attitude and commitment towards lifelong learning and personal development planning
- ensuring you are prepared to meet the challenges of current and future contemporary mental health services.
Where you study
Where you study
Supporting information for applicants
Course details
Course structure
Core modules
Advancing Engagement and Assessment Skills for Common Mental Health Problems
Develop a collaborative and person-centred approach to assessments appropriate to low intensity working. Gain knowledge of the incidence, prevalence and presentation of common mental health problems, focusing on behaviour change theory and cognitive behavioural theory.
Advancing Low Intensity Intervention Skills for Common Mental Health Problems
Develop your knowledge and skills in evidence-based low intensity interventions for people with anxiety or depression, including behaviour change theory and cognitive behavioural theory. You develop a collaborative, client-centred approach to intervention planning, promoting choice and self-management of recovery.
Advancing Reflective, Non-Discriminatory Practice
Study the concepts of inclusion and multi-culturalism, gaining the knowledge, attitudes and skills to operate ethically and competently in the health and social care system. Gain an understanding of the complexity of people’s health, social and occupational needs, and the services that support them to recovery. Develop your clinical management, liaison and decision-making competencies to support patients. This is particularly important where intervention is required outside the core low-intensity advice.
Modules offered may vary.
How you learn
You learn through lectures, presentations, simulated practice and other activities. Participation is also encouraged through:
• sharing experiences and learning with other students, without breaching client confidentiality
• delivering presentations
• using self-administered workbooks (electronic and manual)
• problem-based learning to develop decision-making skills
• directed practice tasks in the workplace to apply skills
• personal reflection and development planning simulation activities and feedback from peers, module tutors and practice supervisors.
How you are assessed
You are assessed through simulated practice and real patient activities, an examination, written assignments, and practice competencies.
The assessment strategy meets the standards of the National Curriculum for Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners.
Entry requirements
You must have a degree and be working in an NHS Talking Therapies, for anxiety and depression service. As part of the quality assurance process, services must meet the appropriate standards, and supervision must be provided by a qualified PWP supervisor.
Funded PWP trainee positions are advertised on NHS jobs by individual NHS Talking Therapies, for anxiety and depression services.
You can apply to self-fund the PWP course online, but these places are limited. Some NHS Talking Therapies, for anxiety and depression services offer voluntary contracts. Each service has different terms and conditions, but all provide PWP supervision. Interviews for these voluntary contracts are arranged by the course leader.
For general information please see our overview of entry requirements
Employability
Career opportunities
This course prepares you for your role as a qualified PWP.