Course Professional Diploma in Clinical Psychology & Mental Health Practice

The Professional Diploma in Clinical Psychology & Mental Health Practice is designed for professionals who wish to deepen their understanding of psychological distress and strengthen their practical skills in working with adults and young people. The course provides a solid grounding in key principles of clinical psychology, including models of mental health and illness, assessment, formulation, and evidence-based intervention.

Learners explore the nature, presentation, and impact of common mental health difficulties such as anxiety, depression, trauma, personality-related difficulties, psychosis, and co-occurring issues like substance use. Attention is given to risk, safeguarding, and ethical decision-making, ensuring that participants can work safely and responsibly within their professional roles.

Across the programme, you will develop the ability to think psychologically about the individuals, families, and systems you work with. You will learn how to gather and interpret information, understand what might be maintaining a person’s difficulties, and consider appropriate pathways to care, including multidisciplinary and community-based supports. Reflective practice is a core focus, helping you to integrate theory with your own values, experience, and professional context.

Teaching typically combines lectures, workshops, skills practice, and guided independent learning. Case examples and scenarios are used to bring ideas to life and to build confidence in applying knowledge to real-world situations.

This diploma is particularly relevant for those working in health, social care, counselling, community and voluntary services, education, and related fields. By completion, you will have enhanced insight into clinical psychology perspectives, improved competence in mental health practice, and a stronger foundation for collaboration with specialist services or for further postgraduate training in psychology, psychotherapy, or related disciplines. Graduates leave the course with a clearer professional identity, a shared language for talking about mental health, and practical tools they can use immediately to support service users, contribute to care planning, and advocate for psychologically informed services in their organisations.