Foundation in Cognitive and Behavioural Approaches

PGDip

This new course provides a theoretical and skills-based approach to study in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Alongside separate practical experience, this course provides a route onto our BABCP-accredited Stage Two training in CBT (MSc Level).

Campus	Chester
Course	PGDip
Length	1 year Full-time
Start date	September 2012

Why study Theory and Skills in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy at Chester?

Our course is specifically designed for graduates who are interested in training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), as well as those who may already be working in counselling or mental health roles but who wish to improve their skills and qualifications. Our course will provide you with a critical awareness of the theory and practical skills of CBT. Also, the programme will have a clear emphasis on equipping you with the kinds of transferable skills demanded by employers in today’s job market.

Successfully completing this programme, and then undertaking the necessary supervised clinical experience, will prepare you to meet the entry requirements for the British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) Level 2-accredited MSc in CBT. The MSc is run here at the University of Chester. Should you then go on to complete the MSc you will, at that stage, be able to gain accreditation as a CBT practitioner.

Completing this postgraduate diploma will not constitute a licence to practise as a cognitive behavioural therapist, nor will it enable you to be eligible for BABCP accreditation.

Time commitment

We currently schedule our teaching for Thursdays, which means that you only need to be in university one day per week - so if you are working you will not be too disadvantaged. You will, however, be required to complete independent study in addition to the Thursday teaching sessions.

Features

The BABCP specify a non-professional route for accessing professional CBT training courses in which individuals must demonstrate Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes that equate to a core profession in mental health. However, many individuals attempting to access professional CBT training lack - and do not know how to attain - the necessary training and clinical experience to demonstrate core professional equivalence. Our course will, along with the necessary supervised clinical experience, prepare you to attain and demonstrate this core professional equivalence and therefore go onto further study on the MSc programme.

As well as providing you with knowledge of CBT, our course will help you to develop the skills that many employers are looking for in graduates today. Through our use of innovative teaching and assessment methods, you will develop skills in critical thinking and evaluation, data handling and analysis, and presentaitons and team working - to name just a few areas!

You will receive dedicated teaching from our experts in lectures, seminars, demonstrations and workshops that are only delivered to students on this course. In this way we will give you the attention and focus that you deserve and deliver the material in ways that are appropriate for your level of study.

Next: Modules

Programme structure

This programme is structured on a semester basis. You will complete three modules in each of the first two semesters.

Semester 1

In Psychopathology and Models of Therapy we will provide you with a critical introduction to concepts of psychopathology, and to theory, treatment methods, and empirical support for key models of therapy. The module will cover life stages and human development, abnormal psychology and systems of classification and models of therapy.
Professional Issues and Relationship Skills will help you to develop your critical awareness of the key professional and relationship skills required to work in a mental health setting. This module will cover issues that include the delivery and legislation of health and social care, therapeutic relationships, core interpersonal skills, and maintaining and managing records and reports.
Finally, in Psychological Research Methods and Statistics you will learn about the research and analytical methods that you need to study this field. You will receive expert teaching and training in both quantitative statistics and qualitative research methods. The module emphasises practical as well as taught sessions to ensure you have a strong understanding of the use of statistical software packages as well.

Semester 2

The modules in this semester will focus your studies on key areas relating to CBT and to the skills that are required for the accredited MSc programme.

Assessment Skills for Depression and Anxiety will provide you with knowledge about - and critical awareness of - identifying depression and anxiety disorders, conducting cognitive behavioural assessments, and assessing and managing risk. Areas you will cover include DSM IV classification of depression and anxiety, cognitive behavioural assessment skills, and the assessment and management of risk.
In CBT: Core Intervention techniques for depression and anxiety we will develop your critical awareness of the CBT clinical intervention techniques and skills used to treat depression and anxiety. This module will cover areas including cognitive restructuring, exposure, problem solving and behavioural activation.
Finally, CBT: Brief Clinical Interventions for depression and anxiety will provide you with a critical awareness of brief CBT-based clinical interventions for depression and anxiety. This module will cover issues that include NICE Stepped Care and brief interventions for depression, generalised anxiety, panic, OCD and specific phobias.

Next: Assessment

There are no examinations on this course. You will be assessed via coursework and practical-type reports in all modules. We use a wide range of assessment methods, which are designed to develop your research and transferable skills. These may include quantitative/qualitative research reports or case studies, individual and group presentations, paper reviews, or even a critical book review.

Next: Careers

Our course, along with the necessary supervised clinical experience, provides the preparation you need to attain and demonstrate core professional equivalence, which will allow you to undertake further study on the BABCP Level 2-accredited MSc in CBT run here at the University of Chester. Should you then go on to complete the MSc you will, at that stage, be able to gain accreditation as a CBT practitioner. If you successfully complete the full MSc you will then be eligible to apply for accreditation and to seek employment as a CBT therapist.

For those looking to gain an additional qualification in psychology, but not wishing to go on to train as a therapist, this course will provide advanced knowledge in psychology (especially from a clinical psychology perspective) and will develop a range of transferable and professional skills.

Next: Entry requirements

Our programme is open to students with an undergraduate degree of 2.2 or above. Candidates with particular experience in relevant fields may also apply and we will review suitability for entry to the course on an individual basis. Please contact us for more details on entry routes into this programme so that we can discuss your needs.

Beginning: Overview