Queen's University Belfast

Cognitive Behaviour Psychotherapy

Overview
Anxiety and depression are among the most common mental health disorders experienced by all ages. Psychological recovery is greatly enhanced when the individual receives the correct treatment. Cognitive Behaviour Psychotherapy (CBP) is currently the key recommended psychological treatment for these conditions. It is essential that practitioners are prepared with the necessary knowledge, skills and attitudes to deliver CBP competently. This course is written to the requirements of the lead organisation in the UK which sets the competency standards for Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy. The teaching at the University and with Clinical colleagues in placement areas is of the highest standard. This course will fundamentally alter the way clinicians work in practice.

Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy (CBP) highlights
The client centred approach is used to empower the individual by creating effective cognitive and behavioural strategies to improve their skills in managing their mental health and enhance their quality of life.

Professional Accreditations
•On successful completion of this programme you will be an accredited practitioner with the British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy (BABCP).

Learning and Teaching
Students must be working in a clinical area where Cognitive Behavioural Therapeutic approaches are employed. Students must be supervised by an experienced BABCP accredited Cognitive Behavioural Therapist while on placement in their own clinical area. This must be arranged by the student prior to the commencement of the programme.

Entry requirements

Entrance requirements
Graduate
Applicants must hold a 2.2 Honours degree or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in a cognate area, such as Mental Health Nursing, Psychiatry, Applied Psychology or equivalent recognised professional qualification(s).

In addition, you should have:
• At least two years' clinical practice / experience in a relevant area (statutory or independent sector) working with clients with mood and anxiety disorders, AND
• Be employed in clinical practice in a suitable area (where CBT approaches are employed) with the support of your management for study on the course, AND
• Have access to a minimum of 8 suitable clients and supervision by an experienced BABCP accredited Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist while on placement in your own clinical area.
The eight clients must represent a minimum of at least three different types of mental health condition.
· A minimum of four cases will have been closely supervised.
· You must have access to your supervisor and be under supervision while you are seeing clients.
· You must spend a minimum of one hour per week engaged in face to face supervision; some of this must be 'live' supervision.
· All assessment and therapy sessions, with client consent, must be video recorded; this is both for supervision and assessment purposes and meets the requirement for 'live' supervision.

Applications are accepted from non-core professions such as counsellors. Non-core professionals, however, will be required to provide a portfolio of evidence in line with KSA guidelines as provided by the BABCP. Applicants who meet the academic criteria but who are non-core and unable to provide KSA evidence will be required to enter through the School's KSA pathway. In this instance if all other requirements are met the applicant will be offered a place on the one year certificate programme to allow time for the KSA portfolio to be completed. On successful completion of this course and the completion of the KSA portfolio, the student will normally then be eligible for application to the PG Dip programme.

Applicants who do not meet the entry requirements should contact the School for advice.

Please note: due to the practice supervision element, this programme is available within the UK only.

International Students
For information on international qualification equivalents, please check the specific information for your country.

English Language Requirements
International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.

For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.
•Academic English: an intensive English language and study skills course for successful university study at degree level
•Pre-sessional English: a short intensive academic English course for students starting a degree programme at Queen's University Belfast and who need to improve their English.

Duration

2 years part-time.

Careers or further progression

Career Prospects
Introduction
This is a BABCP level 2 accredited course and most Health Service Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy posts will stipulate that a requirement is accreditation or 'working towards accreditation with the BABCP'. Graduates from this course will be eligible to be accredited at level two.

Queen's postgraduates reap exceptional benefits. Unique initiatives, such as Degree Plus and Researcher Plus bolster our commitment to employability, while innovative leadership and executive programmes alongside sterling integration with business experts helps our students gain key leadership positions both nationally and internationally.
http://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/sgc/careers/

Further enquiries

Mr Colin Hughes 
Lecturer (Education)
School of Nursing & Midwifery
Email: colin.hughes@qub.ac.uk

Subjects taught

Students will actively participate in developing and extending their knowledge and skills in CBP. The client centred approach is used to empower the individual by creating effective cognitive and behavioural strategies to improve their skills in managing their mental health and enhance their quality of life.

Students must be working in a clinical area where Cognitive Behavioural Therapeutic approaches are employed. Students must be supervised by a BABCP accredited Cognitive Behavioural Therapist. In addition the student must have access to a minimum of 8 suitable clients and have appropriate indemnity insurance. This must be arranged by the student prior to the commencement of the programme.