Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy - Sligo St. Angela's

This programme is designed to provide comprehensive education and advanced skills training for Health and Social Care Professionals working in mental health settings. Its overarching goal is to develop and enhance their competence in Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy (CBP), enabling them to develop into autonomous and highly skilled Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapists. Upon successful completion, graduates will be fully equipped to practice independently across a range of mental health care settings, delivering evidence-based interventions to support diverse client needs. The programme is approved at Category 2 level by the NMBI and at level 9 fulfils the CNS criteria as laid out by the HSE. The HSE CNS career pathways was developed in line with the DoH (2019) A Policy on the development of Graduate to Advance Nursing and Midwifery Practice. As part of the HSE Interim CNS pathways candidates are required to be required to demonstrate that they have completed the required postgraduate education or agree and are supported to undertake the required postgraduate education, at level 9 qualification (equivalent to 60 ECTS or above) relevant to the specialist area.

Postgraduate Diploma:

• Theoretical Foundations of Therapeutic Communication and Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy

• Evidenced based Theory and Practice of Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy for Anxiety & Depression

• Professional Practice

• Advanced Research Skills

• Evidenced based Theory and Practice of Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy for Complex Presentations

• Evidenced Based theory and Practice of Third Wave and New Generation CBP

Applicants must hold a NFQ Level 8 Honours Degree In Mental Health Nursing with a minimum of 2.2 classification or equivalent qualification. Applicant should also be currently registered with the Nursing Board of Nursing and Midwifery Ireland (NMBI), and have post-qualification experience as a qualified Mental Health Nurse/ Psychiatric Nurse for a minimum of 3-5 years with clients presenting with a variety of mental health challenges. Candidate should be currently employed in a practice area where Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy (CBP) is employed as a treatment modality, and be able to provide evidence of support from their line manager/ director of services in the form of facilitating them to practice as a student CBP therapist under a named CBP therapist who will act as the students’ clinical supervisor throughout clinical practice. Potential students may be interviewed as part of the application process.



Recognition of Prior Learning: Yes.

Flexible learning courses are popular, and they fill on a first come, first served basis. There are two major intake periods throughout the academic year, September and January.



For January start courses, applications typically open in October, and for September start courses, applications typically open in February. Closing dates for applications are listed on the individual course webpage.

1 year part-time, on campus.



Study Hours

The course consist of 7 modules with a recommendation of 250-300 hours of study per module.



On-Campus Attendance

On-campus attendance is required on average once weekly throughout the academic year in Year 1 along with an additional days attendance once per month. Approximately 40 days attendance requirement Year 1 and minimal attendance required in Year 2.

Start Date: September 2025.

Progression Pathways

Many of our Masters programmes are structured in a way that includes recognised entry and exit awards. This means that you can apply for part of Masters first and learn at your own pace or if you are unable to complete the full programme, you can still gain a recognised qualification. Our entry and exit awards typically include Postgraduate Certificate award and a Postgraduate Diploma award.