Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

The Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) consists of 10 days of training (70 hours). This course is taught at weekends (Saturday and Sunday), from 10 am to 5 pm.

The course will cover the following topics:

1. Historical background and development of CBT: Overview of contextual development of cognitive-behavioural approaches; evaluative research and current status; contemporary issues and developments.

2. Learning theory and research: Classical and Operant conditioning; social modelling; the application of behavioural principles to therapeutic practice; behavioural techniques and methods; impact of cognitions and emotions on personal experience; cognitive methods and techniques.

3. Assessment and Diagnosis: Case formulations, Assessments, DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for a range of problems; validity and reliability of relevant psychometric tools to use in assessment and structured interviews.

4. The goals and experience of therapy: Goals of cognitive behavioural therapies; relationship between therapist and client; the client's experience in cognitive behavioural counselling

5. Levels of interventions: Theory and practice of the following interventions:

A. Behavioural Interventions: Relaxation methods (Progressive Relaxation training, applied relaxation); Systematic Desensitization, Exposure therapy, assertiveness training, behavioural experiments, etc

B. Cognitive Interventions: Identify and modify dysfunctional cognitions, Socratic questioning, downward-arrow technique, challenging core beliefs, diary monitory, thought records, cognitive distortions, problem solving strategies, cost-benefit analysis, imaginal techniques, etc

6. The evidence base: Outcome and process research; NICE clinical guidelines; research and recommendations in key practice domains e.g. depression, anxiety, anger, guilt, shame, etc.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

The learning objectives of the Certificate in CBT are as follows:

Day 1: Behavioural Therapy: A) Describe the basic features of classical and operant conditioning and their application in clinical problems B) Apply behavioural concepts and theories to real world situations

Day 2: Beck's Cognitive Therapy: A) To gain an understanding of the basic philosophy and fundamental principles of cognitive-behavioural therapy: Therapeutic goals, effectiveness, therapeutic relationship, applications, suitability, and research outcomes. B) Become familiar with Beck's model of Cognitive Therapy C) Identify, evaluate and respond to automatic thoughts, cognitive distortions, and intermediate and core beliefs

Day 3: Assessment and Case Formulations: A) Be aware of a range of psychometric tools and structured interviews that can be used to assess a range of disorders B) Develop case formulations for simple psychological problems C) Identify main elements of a recorded session, illustrating collaborative case formulation

Day 4: Ellis' Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy: A) Gain an understanding of the basic philosophy and fundamental principles of Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy: goals, applications, therapeutic style, types of beliefs, process of therapy B) Identify personal irrational beliefs

Day 5 and 6: Psychopathology and CBT treatments for Anxiety and Mood Disorders: A) Recognise key features from a range of anxiety and mood disorders such as Post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, generalised anxiety disorder, Panic disorder, depression, etc B) Acquire basic theoretical knowledge regarding cognitive and behavioural interventions for a wide range of problems based on Randomised Control Trials C) Apply basic behavioural techniques to specific client populations and will demonstrate this skill in an applied setting D) Overcome common roadblocks in using some Behavioural interventions

Day 7: Assertiveness Training and Problem Solving Therapy: A) Explain interpersonal rights to clients B) Identify cognitions that may block assertive behaviour C) Become more aware of your own submissive/assertive/aggressive behaviours D) Show clients how to enhance strategies to be able to say "no" without feeling guilty or selfish, make and reject requests, make and accept personal criticism, make and accept compliments, defend human rights, etc. E) Learn when and how to use Problem-Solving Therapy

Day 8: Cognitive Interventions: A) You will acquire basic theoretical knowledge about the correct use of Socratic Questioning B) You will learn to apply basic cognitive techniques that can be used for wide range of psychological problems C) Identifying and working with core beliefs (e.g. Downward Arrow Technique, disputation ...) D) Challenging maladaptive beliefs using Socratic Questioning E) Apply cognitive skills and cognitive interventions

Day 9 and 10 will be a practical weekend to enhance participants' CBT skills.