PGDip in High Intensity Training

This British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) accredited course provides the training needed to qualify as a High-Intensity Practitioner (HI). 

HI practitioners assess and deliver high-intensity interventions for complex mental health problems such as depression and anxiety disorders in adults. 

Employment is generally by the NHS for the duration of training, plus potentially further employment post-qualification. 

You will develop your skills with a mixture of role-play and skills practice teaching, as well as clinical work undertaken in primary care Talking Therapies services. 

 

What Can I Expect from the Course?

The course runs over the course of one calendar year, and consists of roughly 72 taught University days, which include 25 University supervision days, and an additional 20 study days, alongside a placement in a Talking Therapies service.  

The course consists of 3 compulsory modules: 

  • Fundamentals of Evidence-Based Treatments 
  • Theory and Practice for Anxiety Disorders 
  • Theory and Practice for Depression 

You will be taught through a variety of teaching methods including lectures, experiential skills, training workshops, self-directed learning, and group and individual clinical supervision. You will apply and develop the skills you learn in your trainee role within a mental health service. 

Across the course, trainees are expected to undertake 200 clinical contact hours with patients and receive 70 hours of supervision. 

How is the Course Assessed?

The course is assessed through a combination of written and clinical assessments. Written assignments include essays and extended case reports. Clinical assessments include assessment and treatment recordings with a patient and a case presentation. 

At the end of the course, students are expected to demonstrate their learning and development through a portfolio. 

Entry Requirements

For information on entry requirements for Recruit to Train, please consult the job specification advertised on NHS jobs. If you do not have a core profession you will need to complete a Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes (KSA) portfolio – please see below and/or the NHS Jobs specification. 

Entry requirements for self-funded or sponsored students are: 

  • Or, completion of KSA (Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes) portfolio prior to entry onto the programme. Please see the BABCP’s KSA portfolio page for guidance on completion of KSA portfolio. Your KSA should be completed BEFORE the interview 
  • Access to appropriate cases during training 
  • Membership of BABCP once enrolled 

Funding

The training programme can be fully funded by the NHS and trainees will receive a salary equivalent to a full-time NHS band 6 over the year. Shortlisted candidates will be informed of the agreed salary on offer of interview.  

Careers

Successful completion of the programme will enable you to work as a qualified HI therapist in a Talking Therapies service. A qualified HI therapist salary is equivalent to NHS band 7 pay. 

For further details, please visit the Health Careers HI role profile.

How to Apply

The Charlie Waller Institute usually offers two intakes per year in February and late September/October. The number of places available per cohort is dependent on NHS service funding. 

Potential candidates may apply through job advertisements on NHS jobs. The University of Reading will review the application and a member of our team will be present on the interview panel. 

Update July 2024- We are now registering interest for non-NHS funded places on this course. If you are interested in self-funding or being sponsored by your employer to attend this training, please email admissions-cwi@reading.ac.uk and the Admissions Tutor (email address in Further Information section below) for more details.

Criteria for this course are:

  • Core professional training in mental health, as defined by BABCP. Please see the BABCP’s core professions list.
  • Or, completion of KSA (Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes) portfolio prior to entry onto the programme. Please see the BABCP’s KSA portfolio page  for guidance on completion of KSA portfolio
  • Applicants must ensure that they meet requirements as per the BABCP, which includes:
    -An honours degree or equivalent in a relevant field OR
    -An honours degree or equivalent in an unrelated field AND at minimum 3 years of experience within the helping profession
  • Access to appropriate cases during training and access to weekly workplace supervision with a BABCP-accredited supervisor
    Membership of BABCP once enrolled

Further Information

For further information on this programme, please contact Sian Roxburgh, Admissions Tutor for HI, at sian.roxburgh@reading.ac.uk