Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Course Outline
This Postgraduate Diploma in CBT provides comprehensive training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. The programme is offered part-time over two years. The course is aligned with the British Association for Behavioural & Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP). Individuals who meet the criteria for core profession and successfully complete this programme will have met the minimum training standards and can apply for individual accreditation at https://www.babcp.com/Accreditation/What-is-Accreditation/CBP/CBP-Provisional-Accreditation.

Following successful completion of the Postgraduate Diploma, students can progress to the MSc in Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy. It is also possible to exit after completing the first year with an award of Postgraduate Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (although this will not meet all the requirements to be accredited as a CBT Therapist).

The Postgraduate Diploma in CBT will provide comprehensive training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. At the end of the programme students will be competent in the delivery of CBT. Theoretical principles and competencies are covered as well as Clinical Supervision of practice with clients experiencing mental health difficulties.

Year 1 (30 credits)
MH6001 Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Core Competencies I (5 credits)
MH6000 Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Core Competencies II (5 credits)
MH6139 Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Supervised Practice 1 (5 credits)
MH6137 Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) models of Anxiety Disorders (10 credits)
MH6136 Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Behavioural Activation for Depression (5 credits)

Year 2 (30 credits)
MH6003 Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Supervised Practice II (5 credits)
NU6005 Evidence Based Practice for Healthcare Professionals (10 credits) (Blended learning module)
MH6134 Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Depression and Comorbidity (5 credits)
MH6133 Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Complex Cases (10credits)
If you successfully complete the PG Diploma you can register for the Masters programme in Year 3 (30 credits).

Year 3 MSc Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy (30 credits)
MH6004 Dissertation in Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy (20 credits)
MH6014 Advanced Research Methods for Healthcare Professionals (10 credits)

Applicants for the Postgraduate Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy will normally:
1. Have a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) or an equivalent qualification in a relevant subject (e.g. Nursing, Medicine, Social Work, Clinical Therapies, Special Needs Education or other allied disciplines);

2. Be a practising professional in a recognised Core Profession* as follows:
o Registered Nurse - Mental Health or Intellectual Disability Nursing (Registered Nurse in Intellectual Disability, RNID);
o Psychology – 1st degree plus a postgraduate qualification (MSc or Doctorate) in an applied area such as clinical, counselling, educational, forensic, health psychology. HCPC Registered as Practitioner Psychologist (HCPC registration alone is insufficient);
o Psychotherapy/Counselling (Accredited with the IACP);
o Medicine (Psychiatrist or General Practitioner, MB, BCh, BAO and usually PG training with membership of MRCGP, MRCP or MRCPsych);
o Social Work (CQSW, DipSW or BA/BSc Hons Social Work);
o Probation Services – DipPS;
o Occupational Therapy (BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy, MSc Occupational Therapy, or Dip C.O.T and HCPC Registered);
o Arts Therapists – HCPC Registered;
o Teacher of Special Education Needs (CertEd, B.Ed, or BA/BSc with PGCE, plus additional specialist training in Special Education, with additional counselling / psychotherapy training);

3. Applicants must provide evidence of current registration with the relevant professional regulatory body as detailed above (e.g. The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland, the Irish Medical Council, the Health & Social Care Professions Council or be eligible for such registration);

4. Have a minimum of 36 months post registration experience working within a health care or education setting;

5. All applicants for the postgraduate diploma programme must provide the name and contact details of two referees; at least one of these must be from a work source, either voluntary or paid, who is familiar with their work practice with regards to their suitability for undertaking this programme. The other referee can be from a service user or an employer.

In cases where the number of suitably qualified applicants exceeds the number of places available, selection will be made by interview.

Closing Date: Open until all places have been filled or no later than 7th June 2024. Early application is advised.

2 years part-time.

Start Date: 2nd September 2024.

Skills and Careers Information
If you are a caring professional who would like to develop expertise in evidence based therapy, this course is for you. This programme will enable you to become a reflective practitioner and increase your awareness and theoretical understanding of cognitive behavioural therapy. It will encourage you to adopt an informed and critical approach to the professionalisation of therapy. It will further increase your theoretical understanding and practical application of CBT by enhancing your clinical and professional skills thereby allowing you to work towards practicing as a cognitive behavioural therapist.