CBT training: CBT training

The Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy introduces students to the cognitive behavioural model of therapy, both in terms of theoretical underpinnings and foundation practice skills.

This course has consistently been ranked as “excellent” by over three hundred students who completed the course during the past four years. To read some of the comments from previous students of the Certificate in CBT please click here.

The course was created to help students develop knowledge and understanding of the cognitive behavioural approach to therapy. They can then utilise these principles in their chosen profession of medical or other helping professions, management roles that place the primary focus on working with people or private practice.

This training programme has been designed to provide students with basic and intermediate CBT skills and competence in the principles of assessment and case formulation, as well as the appropriate use of Cognitive and Behavioural interventions for a range of anxiety and mood disorders such as obsessive compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, generalised anxiety disorder, panic disorder and depression.

Please note that the Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural therapy does not provide training in the full range of skills and knowledge required to practise cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). This can be achieved by successful completion of additional training i.e. Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, which is also offered by the International Institute for Cognitive Therapy. However, the Certificate in CBT will provide students a good foundation for further professional development if they want to become CBT therapists after completing the training at Diploma level.

Following the course, successful graduates will be able to:

· Demonstrate an evidence-based knowledge and understanding of the theory and principles of CBT.

· Demonstrate skills in therapeutic engagement and developing a therapeutic relationship.

· Be familiar with two main types of CBT models: Beck’s cognitive therapy and Ellis’ Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy

· Be familiar with the procedures used in a range of cognitive and behavioural techniques and a conceptual understanding of their rationale e.g. exposure therapy, Socratic Questioning, imaginal exposure, behavioural experiments, assertiveness skills, problem solving, downward arrow technique, interoceptive training, response prevention, etc.

· Enhance the use of CBT skills and therapeutic techniques in class and with a range of exercises where the students will have the opportunity to practise CBT principles by applying them to personal situations.

Students will learn through lectures, experiential exercises, small groups, video and audio demonstrations of real clients, role-play and skills practice exercises.

The training programme has been designed to provide students with CBT skills and competence in the principles of assessment and case formulation, as well as the appropriate use of Cognitive and Behavioural interventions.

The Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) consists of 10 days of training (70 hours), starting in September 2010 in Belfast. This course is taught at weekends (Saturday and Sunday), from 10 am to 5 pm.

The course is eminently practical, aimed at professionals working in a broad range of health and social care settings.

The course is designed for mental health professionals including psychologists, GPs, psychiatrists, psychotherapists, counsellors, social workers, occupational therapists, nurses, counselling and psychology students, or any other person with relevant experience in dealing with mental health issues even if they don't have formal qualifications.

The course is for those who have none or a minimal amount of previous formal training in CBT.

4/5 September 2010 (Saturday/ Sunday), 25/26 September 2010 (Saturday/ Sunday), 23/24 October 2010 (Saturday/ Sunday), 13/14 November 2010 (Saturday/ Sunday), 11/12 December 2010 (Saturday/Sunday)

Venue: Belfast International Youth Hostel
                 22-32 Donegall Road, Belfast, BT12 5JN
                 T: +44 (0) 28 9031 5435
                 Email: info@hini.org.uk

Each class is structured in a way that lectures and practical exercises are interwoven. Participants will practise their new skills through experiential learning and clinical case presentations. There will also be seminars, where trainees role-play designated therapeutic encounters to develop core practise skills and awareness of associated theory. Participants will be able to watch and listen to many videos and audio recordings of real clients. Students will be directed to read current literature and to access relevant learning resources.

Presenters use the latest technology in their classes. Powerpoint Presentations are displayed with a projector; audio recordings of clients are digitalised and shown to the class with subtitles to enable students to easily follow the conversation. Video recordings are in digital format, with subtitles and displayed through the projector. A clear sound system with external speakers is provided for each class. The volume is sufficient for the size of the room.

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 formulation, Assessment, 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.

A. Behavioural Interventions: Relaxation methods (Progressive Relaxation training, applied relaxation); Systematic Desensitization, Exposure therapy, assertiveness training, behavioural experiments, interoceptive training, behavioural activation, 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; research and recommendations in key practice domains e.g. depression, anxiety, anger, guilt, shame, etc.

Module 1: Behavioural Therapy	4 September 2010
Module 2: Beck’s Cognitive Therapy	5 September 2010
Module 3: Assessment and Case Formulation	25 September 2010
Module 4: Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy	26 September 2010
Module 5: Psychodiagnosis and Treatment of Anxiety and Mood Disorders Part 1	23 October 2010
Module 5: Psychodiagnosis and Treatment of Anxiety and Mood Disorders Part 2	24 October 2010
Module 6: Assertiveness Training and Problem Solving Therapy	13 November 2010
Module 7: Cognitive Interventions and Socratic Questioning	14 November 2010
Module 8: CBT Skills Practise Part 1	11 December 2010
Module 8: CBT Skills Practise Part 2	12 December 2010

A. Understand the basic principles of behaviourism and obtain an in-depth explanation of the historical background and principles on which behavioural theory is based

B. Apply basic features of classical and operant conditioning and how to apply their principles to day-to-day situations and clinical problems.

1) Examples of real situations or clinical problems where Conditioning can be implemented in order to treat certain psychological disorders.

D. Connect concepts and theories to real world situations. In order to reach this objective, you will be required to carry out some exercises in class and also at home involving the following tasks:

1) Identifying all stimuli and responses present in three situations where I became conditioned.

3) Identify what type of operant conditioning was present in many situations from the presentation slides.

5) Exercises about how to apply behavioural principles in a variety of day-to-day situations.

Day 5 and 6: Psychodiagnosis and CBT Treatments for Anxiety and Mood Disorders

If you wish to apply for the CBT training course please download an application form that can be found below this section and post it with the application fee or full payment to the Institute address that you will find within the application form.

However, if you prefer to pay with a credit or debit card please see the following payment options. Payments online will also carry a 4% surcharge.

You can pay online by visiting the Institute website at www.learncognitivetherapy.com/cognitive_behavioural_therapy.htm

If your employer is funding the course please post your application form and a letter from the person authorising the fee and the Institute will invoice them directly.

This is a very popular course. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that you apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Coffee breaks and course materials are included in the fee (but not lunch or accommodation).

In order to provide the maximum amount of handouts and supportive materials, participants will be required to print copies of their handouts, which will be made available from our website before each class. Each student will be provided with a username and password to access all the training materials once the full training fee has been paid.

It is required that you read about our cancellation policy before signing your application form.

The Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is presented by Sylvia Buet, the Founder and Director of the International Institute for Cognitive Therapy and Paul Quinn, a BABCP Accredited Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist.

Sylvia is a registered Psychologist, accredited by the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) as a Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist. She has gained accreditation within the BABCP as a Trainer in CBT. Sylvia founded the International Institute for Cognitive Therapy in the UK. She has successfully provided CBT training in a wide range of topics related to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for the past fifteen years. Sylvia spent several years as a popular CBT lecturer at University of Ulster in UK.

Sylvia trained at University of Valencia (Spain) earning her BSc. Hons. Degree in Psychology in 1991. She holds a Masters degree in Counselling & Guidance and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Human Resource Management. Both were earned at University of Ulster (UK). Additionally, Sylvia is a Level II EMDR practitioner since 2003.

Sylvia was the former founder of the International Trauma Institute. She and Dr. Mervin R. Smucker, provided training to mental health professionals in PTSD and related conditions on a global basis, training in PTSD and related conditions to mental health professionals from around the world.

Among other accomplishments, Sylvia is a regular presenter at International Conferences. Her main interests are Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive, Panic disorder and relationship dissolution. She is the main presenter of the International Institute for Cognitive Therapy for the Certificate and Diploma in CBT training programmes.

Two of the training weekends (Weekend 1 and 3) will be taught by Paul Quinn, a BABCP accredited Cognitive Behavioural Therapist with extensive experience in teaching CBT programmes at University of Ulster and Queen's University as well as being a regular presenter for the Diploma in CBT at the International Institute for Cognitive Therapy in Northern Ireland.

On completion of the course, you will receive a Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural therapy (CBT) issued by the International Institute for Cognitive Therapy if you attended at least 80% of the course and passed the necessary examinations/ submission of exercises.

The Certificate in CBT is not accredited by any University. However, the programmes run by the International Institute for Cognitive Therapy have been mentioned in the “Mapping of Psychological Therapies: Overview of courses available in Northern Ireland and the border region of the Republic” (2008). This report was issued by the NICCT on behalf of the Department of Health, Social Services & Public Safety (DHSSPS).

The intended purpose of the mapping is to locate and report on the range of psychological therapies available to the public in Northern Ireland. The Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy has the distinction of being one of the only four CBT training programmes in the region that offers CBT training with similar equivalence to a Post-Graduate Certificate programme.

Some private programmes have the same prestige as some Universities offering advanced training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy leading to accreditation within the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP). The International Institute for Cognitive Therapy offers quality training facilitating participants to become accredited Cognitive Behavioural Therapists. The IICT programmes meet several criteria established by BABCP for accreditation.

This 70-hour cognitive behavioural introductory course will contribute towards meeting the minimum training requirements of the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) for accreditation as well as those for relevant professional bodies where these recognise, or are planning to recognise, specific Cognitive behavioural therapy qualifications within their structures.

Students will have to pass a True/False exam with 100 items at a passing grade (50%).

2. Portfolio of Exercises

Students should submit a portfolio of exercises by email to the Course Director at the end of the Certificate in CBT in order to obtain the qualification. These exercises will be corrected and appropriate feedback will be given but they will not be marked. However, it is compulsory to complete ALL the exercises.

Students are required to attend a minimum of 80% of scheduled teaching to receive the qualification. An attendance register is kept to assure that this mandatory attendance is met.

QUESTIONS THAT APPLICANTS NORMALLY ASK ABOUT THE CERTIFICATE IN COGNITIVE BEHAVIOURAL THERAPY

Courses offering complete accreditation within BABCP are the exception rather than the rule at the time of writing this information. It is common for prospective students to enquire whether or not this Certificate in CBT is accredited. At present, there are only a very small number of training courses accredited by the BABCP, either at Level 1 (meeting some of the requirements for accreditation) or at Level 2 (meeting all the criteria for accreditation) in the whole of UK. Those courses are offered by Universities. Therefore, the answer is NO. This course is not a fully accredited course but this Certificate in CBT will provide you with 70 hours of CBT training (out of 200) which will count towards your personal accreditation within the BABCP if you wanted to pursue that avenue.

However, you also need to meet other criteria if you want to become an accredited Cognitive Behavioural therapist within BABCP.

What other requirements will I have to meet in order to be eligible to apply for Accreditation within BABCP?

Among others, BABCP requires that the following criteria be met in order to become an accredited Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist:

1. You need the total of 200 hours of CBT Training delivered by a “Recognised CBT Trainer (someone BABCP accredited or deemed by BABCP as accreditable”. This Certificate will provide you with 70 hours towards those minimum 200 hours. If you continue studying at IICT next year, The Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy will be able to provide you with the remaining hours in order to fully meet this training criterion.

2. You also need 250 of CBT training hours from workshops, conferences, reading, peer meetings, etc. These 250 hours of CBT training can be taught by recognised and non-recognised CBT trainers and can include self-directed training. The Certificate in CBT requires that you spend at least 10 hours per module reading materials and completing the exercises for your portfolio. At the end of the Certificate in CBT, you should have accumulated at least 70 hours, which should count towards these 250 hours of CBT training.

3. If you hold a Diploma in Counselling or hold a core profession established by BABCP, and want to start practising CBT after completing this Certificate (but not before), you need to find a BABCP accredited Psychotherapist who will supervise your clinical practice. At the same time, someone should be accountable for your work e.g. case manager, senior clinical psychologist, etc. You cannot just be self-employed, even if your practice is supervised. Someone needs to be accountable for your clinical work.

In terms of supervision, BABCP recommends at least 1 hour a month discussing your clinical work with a supervisor but at the beginning I would recommend more hours (depending on the number of cases you will be treating). If you decide to practise CBT after this Certificate, you must arrange an Indemnity Professional Insurance e.g. Howden in order to legally be able to practise e.g. if your organisation does not cover your private work.

4. Assuming that your clinical practice is supervised by a BABCP accredited Cognitive Psychotherapist and someone is accountable for your clinical work, at the time you request accreditation within BABCP, you must have worked with clients for at least 200 hours (assuming a session is equal to 1hour). For the Certificate in CBT, you are NOT required to practise CBT but if you want to apply for the Diploma in CBT next year, you should have arranged a clinical placement by September 2011 where you will be able to treat at least 8 clients during that year (3 different types of problems) for a duration of 5 sessions each client. While 40 hours of CBT clinical work is required as minimum amount of practise during the Diploma in CBT at IICT, you should aim at working many more hours in order to reach those 200 hours as soon as possible.

5. Completion of 4 written case studies (4,000 words each). For the Certificate in CBT, you will not be asked to write any case studies. However, this requirement by BABCP will be partly met if you complete the Diploma in CBT next year, as two case reports will be assessed as part of the course.

6. Attendance to Continued Professional Development (CPD) training activities (30 hours/year). After you complete your Certificate, you should think about attending conferencing, workshops, read books in CBT, etc., in order to meet this criterion.

While this is a very brief summary of BABCP criteria for accreditation and the extent of how the Certificate meets those requirements, you should read more about BABCP accreditation at www.babcp.com.

Training organisations are more likely to offer you quality training in CBT and leave it up to the individual to complete some components of the accreditation process such as finding a placement, obtaining supervision, writing the essays as part of the course, etc. rather than providing the whole package. Therefore, it would not be realistic, at this stage, to expect many CBT courses to provide you with all the components established by the BABCP for accreditation. The individual is responsible for gathering together a portfolio to prove how the criteria are met.

If I have studied CBT elsewhere, not within the International Institute for Cognitive Therapy, will that training count towards BABCP accreditation?

If you want to become accredited as a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist within BABCP, this professional body will require that you have received a minimum of 200 hours of CBT by a recognised CBT trainer.

If your lecturer is not a BABCP accredited/accreditable Cognitive Behavioural Therapist or BABCP accredited Trainer in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, your CBT training hours will not count towards your minimum training for accreditation, only towards the other 250 hours of supplemental training in CBT. Some training programmes in Northern Ireland/Ireland/Mainland UK are not taught by BABCP accredited CBT therapists/trainers and those training hours will not count towards the minimum amount of hours for accreditation (200 hours).

Sylvia Buet is both a BABCP accredited Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist and a BABCP accredited Trainer in CBT while Paul Quinn is a BABCP accredited Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist. Any training offered by the International Institute for Cognitive Therapy will only be delivered by recognised BABCP trainers.

To read more about the BABCP criteria for accreditation please visit the BABCP website at:

Can I practise as a Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist when I complete the Certificate in CBT?

Whether or not you can practise once you have completed your CBT Certificate will depend on your professional background. If you have a core profession such as Psychiatry, Mental health nursing, Social work, clinical psychology, BACP or COSCA accredited counsellor, etc. or a minimum qualification of a Diploma in Counselling, you can practice CBT but always under supervision of a BABCP Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist.

This will not make you a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist but rather a Psychologist, mental health nurse, etc. who uses CBT. Further training and experience are necessary to become a competent Cognitive Behavioural therapist.

However, if you do not have a core profession, you also need to study a Diploma in Counselling (minimum) in order to practise. The BABCP offers a route to obtain accreditation as a Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist even if you don't have a core profession. Please visit the BABCP website (www.babcp.com) to read more about this route called “Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes” (KSA), if this is your case.

Accreditation is optional and not absolutely essential to become a competent cognitive behavioural psychotherapist. However, it is highly recommended that you work towards accreditation within BABCP.

If you have a specific question that hasn't been answered within this website please feel free to contact Sylvia by email or call 02890586361 for further information.

CBT training

in Northern Ireland

Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Overview and Aims of the Certificate in CBT