Why study this course at Chester?
The aims of the programme are:
- to present students with an historical and critical overview of CBT as a research based approach to therapy
- to provide students with the opportunity to develop the knowledge and clinical skills required to practice as a cognitive behavioural psychotherapist
- to present in depth knowledge and skills relevant to common psychological problems
- to facilitate students in the development of their professional role as CBT practitioners through the exploration of legal, ethical and professional issues
- to provide students with the opportunity to develop, apply and critically reflect on their supervision experience
- to ensure that students experience working with a diversity of clinical problems
- to record and monitor students' learning, clinical and supervision activity both within the University of Chester and in their place of clinical practice in the form of a training log book
- to provide opportunities to develop research knowledge and skills, and carry out realistic and appropriate applied research projects
- to provide an overall programme that alongside their clinical practice will allow students to seek accreditation with the BABCP.
Features:
- This course is one of only three courses in the UK with full accreditation by the BABCP.
- The programme will run during the daytime on a Wednesday between 10.00am and 3.30pm.
- In addition students are required to attend clinical supervision. The date, time, and venue of the clinical supervision will be at the discretion of the University.
- It is envisaged that the majority of students will complete the programme within two years. However, the maximum period of study is six years in order to achieve the Masters Degree.
Programme Structure:
Year 1
Science, Theory and Practice of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy
Credits: 40 (Double Module)
This module provides students with an introduction to the science, theories and practice of cognitive and behavioural therapies for depression and anxiety disorders.
Psychological Research Methods
Credits: 20
This module provides students with the necessary skills to critique research and produce a research proposal.
Clinically Supervised Practice: Part 1
Credits: 20
This module facilitates the transfer of taught knowledge and skills into applied clinical settings for clients experiencing common mental health problems.
Year 2
Advanced Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy (Complex Cases)
Credits: 20
This module provides students with knowledge and skills to either assess and treat, or manage and refer, clients experiencing more complex clinical presentations.
Clinically Supervised Practice: Part 2
Credits: 20
This module facilitates the transfer of taught knowledge and skills into applied clinical settings for clients experiencing complex clinical problems.
Research Study Methods
Credits: 60 (Triple Module)
In this module students conduct an independent research study under supervision. This study will be written up in the form of research thesis.
There are no examinations, and all modules are course-work assessed.
The learning and teaching methods will include:
- Lectures, seminars and discussions
- Clinical skills training with a high level of role-play (assessed using competency rating scales)
- Clinical and professional learning in small group supervision involving the presentation of audio/video recorded clinical practice
- Completion of a detailed log of learning, research, clinical and supervision activity
- Research teaching including computer workshops using specific data analysis software and preparing and presenting research reviews, methods, analyses and discussion with fellow students.
- Students have a minimum of two clinical practice sessions per week (session = 3.5hrs)
- Students have an average of three face-to-face clients each week
- Students maintain local CBT supervision provided by a CBT who has been accredited for a minimum of two years and meets additional requirements set out by the course programme team
- Students have continuous access to a range of clinical presentations including common mental health problems
- Over the course of the programme, students are expected to complete a minimum of eight episodes of care lasting a minimum of five sessions
- The required conditions for practice settings will be monitored over the course of the programme
- The programme clinical tutor will visit practice settings and provide information to practice setting CBT supervisors about the student's programme of study.
This programme provides the academic and clinical experience required to achieve accreditation with the BABCP as a cognitive behavioural psychotherapist.
It is envisaged that those who successfully complete the course will be able to apply for posts as a cognitive behavioural therapist.
Applicants will:
- Have a core professional training and have at least 18 months post qualification experience; or demonstrate their eligibility through the BABCP knowledge, skills, and attitudes pathway (to be considered through the KSA route students must submit a portfolio in the required format stipulated by the programme team)
- Have a current practice setting facilitating access to appropriate patients in the role of trainee cognitive behaviour therapist
- Have a minimum of one day a week in face to face therapy practice (part-time pathway only)
- Have a sufficient level of practice that would enable them to complete at least eight therapy cases over the duration of the programme
- Be able to demonstrate evidence of ongoing CPD
- Have in place external supervision arrangements with a minimum of one hour per month specific CBT supervision for the purposes of the course. The clinical supervisor must undergo training and be approved by the university CBT programme team (part-time pathway only)
- Have a good science based degree or a core professional training with research training experience
- The full-time pathway is available only to successful applicants for IAPT posts.
