PgDip Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapies - Part-time

This course is designed to enhance practice and facilitate employment and career progression in psychology or therapy, research and teaching, the helping and health professions, social work, education, private practice and management roles where working with people is the prime focus.

During your studies, we’ll support you to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes that underpin cognitive behavioural psychotherapies practice. As a graduate, you’ll understand the principles of cognitive behavioural psychotherapies, and possess skills in the assessment of clients and formulation of their presenting difficulties.

Studying this course will also support the development of your personal and transferable skills such as critical analysis, self-reflection, observation and questioning skills, communication skills and the ability to work independently.

As a cognitive behavioural psychotherapist, opportunities exist within social services, mental health services, youth justice, the NHS, primary care, education or the voluntary and private sectors. Management roles are possible within the NHS, although this usually means a reduction in clinical work as the emphasis moves to managing individuals and services. Lecturing and clinical teaching in universities or training institutions is another route that can be taken.

Some graduates choose to specialise in a particular area; for example, working with children as a child psychotherapist. Other psychotherapists set up in independent private practice, but this may take some time to develop.

On completion of this course you have the option of continuing your studies by progressing onto a Master’s programme, such as the University of Bolton’s MSc Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapies course, or taking up a research degree.

Alternative Career Options
Research and development
Community mental health
Clinical psychology
Art therapy
Health care management
Counselling
Consultancy
Human resources
Market research analysis

You must have already achieved a minimum of an Upper Second Class (2.1) Honours degree in a relevant discipline (with high grades in relevant modules).

You should possess a Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Skills (or equivalent).

You must hold previous experience of counselling/therapy and/or client work (normally 200 hours).

This course is a Level 2 Accredited training course with British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP). This means that on completion of the course, you’ll have met all of the training requirements for practitioner accreditation by the BABCP.

If you’re following the British Psychological Society’s (BPS) Qualification in Counselling Psychology (QCoP) by the independent route, the course may be appropriate as part of the required training.

Key Features:
The course is fully modular and therefore flexible. If your work or personal circumstances require you to take a break, we can extend your period of study by agreement.
A strong basis of theoretical psychology underpins the course. This helps to ensure your practice-related learning is not separated from its primary academic base, and supports your understanding of where CBP techniques come from, and how they might develop in future.
We’ll also explore how to evaluate literature, models and therapeutic practice, and consider how research methods, design and evaluation is used to underpin evidence-based practice. The course also covers issues relating to ethical practice and the professional role of the therapist.
You’ll be expected to complete 200 hours of experience of working with clients in a clinical setting through supervised clinical practice placements. You’re usually responsible for arranging your own placements.
Our teaching staff are accredited therapists with extensive experience in the field and teaching groups are small, ensuring there is close contact between you, your classmates and your tutors.
If you’re following the British Psychological Society’s (BPS) Qualification in Counselling Psychology (QCoP) by the independent route, the course may be appropriate as part of the required training.