Two people sitting opposite each other talking in a therapy session.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Long Term Conditions and Medically Unexplained Symptoms

Module PSYC6132 explores cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) assessment, formulation and change methods for anxiety and depression in the context of long-term physical health conditions and persistent, distressing medically unexplained symptoms.

Course details

  • Start date: March 2027
  • Duration: Whole academic year
  • Fee:
  • Study mode: Online

About this course

The curriculum follows the national curriculum recommended in the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) Long-Term Conditions (LTC) and Medically Unexplained Symptoms (MUS) guidelines (2017).

You'll learn about:

  • working with people with long-term health conditions, including therapists' beliefs, values and assumptions, the impact of physical health conditions, psychological processes linked to anxiety and depression, biopsychosocial assessment, formulation, treatment planning, and collaborative working across organisations
  • adapting cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for people with anxiety and depression in the context of long-term health conditions, including supporting behaviour change, self-management and involving partners in assessment and treatment where appropriate
  • evidence-based interventions for people with persistent and distressing medically unexplained symptoms, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) or myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), chronic pain, type 1 and type 2 diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), coronary heart disease (CHD) and cancer
     

Who this course is for

CBT practitioners and supervisors who have one of the following:

  • Completed British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) accredited PG training in CBT 
  • Clinical Psychology Doctorate accredited at Level 2 by BABCP
  • BABCP practitioner accreditation

Learning and assessment

Teaching includes lectures and workshops with demonstrations, role-play, experiential learning and small group work. You'll also build your knowledge through private study and assigned reading.

You can choose one of the following assessment options.

Option 1: Continuing professional development

You'll submit a logbook that includes:

  • evidence of at least 2 assessment and therapy cases, including a minimum of 10 therapy sessions, where cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) has been delivered in the context of a long-term physical health condition or persistent and distressing physical symptoms, preferably including one case from each area
  • a reflection on your learning and how you applied it to these cases
    evidence of live supervision by an appropriately qualified supervisor, including confirmation that you have demonstrated competence
     

Option 2: Academic credit

You'll complete 2 summative assessments:

  • a recorded therapy session assessed by a University assessor using the Cognitive Therapy Scale – Revised (CTS-R). You must achieve a score of at least 36 out of 72. You'll also submit a self-assessment of the recording, a one-page case summary and a diagrammatic formulation (50%)
  • a 4,000-word case presentation covering assessment, formulation, treatment, outcomes and critical reflection (50%)

Course lead

Zoe Picking is the course lead.

Apply for this course

Contact us

If you would like further details or have any questions about our courses, please email us.