PGDip Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a current form of evidence-based psychological therapy recommended by NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) as a first line intervention for many psychological disorders.

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This PGDip in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy aims to increase your knowledge base of theory and research in CBT, and attempts to promote a critical approach to the subject. The course also aims to provide practical, intensive and detailed skills training to facilitate skills development to a defined standard of competence. The course is a British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) Level 2 Accredited course in CBT and as such the course has currently been assessed as ‘providing training to the standards for Accreditation in respect of the number of training hours and supervision and number of assessed cases as laid down in the minimum training standards.

The training aims to support you to achieve the level of theoretical knowledge, reflective abilities and clinical skills needed when considering work in the field of psychological therapy, using evidence-based cognitive behaviour therapy methods in your work.

The course is offered on a full-time basis, and is delivered through a combination of university attendance, clinical placement activity, clinical supervision and access to online learning materials.

To study this course, you must be working in a relevant core mental health profession or be able to demonstrate the equivalent knowledge, skills and attitudes via a ‘KSA’ portfolio. You must also have access to a clinical placement in which it is possible to carry out three days a week of face-to-face, supervised CBT practice and audio/video record client sessions for assessment in the academic setting. To be eligible to enroll on the course, you must have an appropriate clinical placement. It is your responsibility to secure an appropriate placement (NHS IAPT commissioned placement or equivalent), where you will work for three days per week for the 12-month duration of the course.

This course requires IELTS of 6.5 overall. Pre-sessional English is available if required.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) has a continually evolving and robust evidence base, and is indicated in the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance across a number of psychological disorders. These include depression and a range of anxiety disorders.

Adequate access to a choice of effective psychological treatments for these problems via local Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) Services continues to be a key Government priority. As such, CBT can form the basis of much mental health practice across NHS Trusts.

On successful completion of this course this award should provide students with a solid foundation in cognitive-behavioural psychotherapy, and an opportunity to seek a role within the field of cognitive behavioural psychotherapy.