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Low Intensity - Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (LI-CBT) is a form of self-guided help for those experiencing mild to moderate symptoms of depression and or anxiety, delivered by a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner.

What are trainee Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners?

Within Ulster University, trainee Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners (PWPs) are undergoing professional placement within the Student Wellbeing Team. Trainee PWPs have completed training to deliver LI-CBT interventions, supported through clinical supervision to ensure Ulster University students receive the highest standard of professional support.

What do they do?

They offer interactive support to provide you with the skills, techniques and knowledge for you to help yourself towards greater wellbeing, both now and in the future. They work with you using self-help materials based on the principles of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), helping you to understand what causes you to feel stressed or low. As a result, you will be provided with techniques to overcome problems and develop new coping strategies.

Types of support

Sessions are tailored to meet your needs. Techniques, tools and skills will be taught through a range of methods such as:
  • Identifying and challenging unhelpful ways of thinking
  • Managing time and increasing motivation
  • Worry management
  • Sleep hygiene
  • Managing panic
  • Problem solving
  • Getting you back into your daily routines
  • Exposure to feared stimulus

You will be given guidance on which support is right for you during one to one sessions and asked to put what you have learnt into practice at home. It is important to stress that for these types of interventions to work, students must be motivated to work towards change.

How would I benefit from accessing this service?

  • You will be offered support that will provide you with knowledge and skills to understand and manage what is happening for you
  • The support offered will help you see links between how you think, what you feel and the way you behave, enabling you to create more helpful life patterns
  • PWPs offer regular one to one support through face to face, telephone and Microsoft Teams sessions, guiding you through self-help materials whilst encouraging you by setting in between session work.

How many sessions will I be offered and how often are they?

  • Sessions are time limited and you will be offered up to 6-8 sessions, each lasting for 35 to 40 minutes
  • People vary in the number of sessions they require. This will be reviewed with your trainee PWP
  • Sessions are normally delivered weekly. However, this can be discussed and agreed with your trainee PWP, adapting session delivery to suit your needs.

What is the criteria to see a trainee PWP?

  • Mild/moderate depression
  • Mild/moderate anxiety disorder (Generalised anxiety, phobias, OCD, panic attacks with or without agoraphobia).

If you have any of the following conditions, you should access specialist support from the Student Wellbeing Team rather than a PWP:

  • Students presenting with suicidal risk or ongoing self-harming behaviour
  • A primary diagnosis of a personality disorder, alcohol or drug dependency, psychotic illness. E.g. schizophrenia or bipolar affective disorder
  • Those who are not presenting with any anxiety or depressive symptoms.

Signposting

A PWP will talk with you about any difficulties and discuss what the most appropriate resources may be helpful to you. If we cannot offer support, we will signpost you to the service(s) that can.

Contact details

To get involved, contact the Student Wellbeing Team on:
T: 028 9536 7000
E: studentwellbeing@ulster.ac.uk

Note: this service runs between November and June each academic year. Contact us for more information.