Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Diploma

• A brief overview of what is meant by the term “CBT”
• An overview of the most common counselling approaches in modern therapy
• The psychological approaches underlying CBT
• The interplay of thoughts, emotions and actions as understood by CBT practitioners

• Why basic counselling skills are the foundation of good practice, regardless of the therapeutic approach used
• The role of the therapeutic alliance and how it differs from friendships and other relationships
• Why therapists must maintain appropriate boundaries between themselves and a client
• The importance of listening and the differences between passive and active listening

• Why therapy is most effective when a therapist is in a state of congruence
• How to demonstrate congruent behaviour
• How to empathise with a client’s difficulties and position
• What is meant by an ethical code and how they are used to guide the therapy process

• How to conduct a client consultation and formulate a case
• The components of a good case formulation and how it should be used to guide a therapist’s choice of techniques
• How the ABC model can be used to help a client understand how their beliefs are maintaining their state of distress
• How to help a client identify their irrational beliefs

• Why you need to understand the components that make up an effective CBT session
• Material that should be addressed within the first few minutes of a session
• How to review homework and provide constructive feedback
• How to set and implement a suitable agenda for the session

• How to help a client challenge their negative thoughts using thought records and diaries
• The most common cognitive distortions seen in CBT practice
• How to help a client overcome resistance with regards to changing their thoughts
• The STOPP technique and how it can help a client live with negative thoughts

• How behavioural experiments can be used to challenge a client’s thoughts and feelings
• The various types of behavioural experiments used to help clients address their fears and overcome maladaptive thoughts
• How exposure and response prevention techniques can help a client overcome compulsive behaviours
• Why encouraging a client to imagine the worst-case scenario can help lower their CBT is currently the type of talking treatment most commonly off anxiety levels

• The symptoms of depression and why it is the most commonly seen problem in contemporary CBT practice
• The typical thought patterns that present in cases of depression and how these cognitive distortions affect a client’s feelings and behaviours
• Why people with depression have problems enjoying activities and how CBT can help them re-engage with life
• The various types of anxiety disorders and how a client’s thoughts, feelings and behaviours can maintain the symptoms

• The signs of pathological anger and why it warrants careful management
• What happens in the body when someone experiences extreme anger and why it is useful to explain this process to a client
• The thoughts, feelings and behaviours underlying pathological anger
• How to help a client challenge their thoughts, feelings and behaviour to reduce their anger

• How early CBT paradigms laid the basis for other variations now in popular use
• An overview of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and its key indications
• The specific skills and techniques a therapist needs to implement DBT
• An overview of Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) and how it can be used to trigger positive change in clients

The course is broken down into 10 individual modules. Each module takes between 20 and 90 minutes on average to study. Although you are free to spend as much or as little time as you feel necessary on each module, simply log in and out of the course at your convenience.

You can study the course any time you like. Simply log in and out of the web based course as often as you require. The course is compatible with all computers, tablet devices and smart phones so you can even study while on the move!

Once you have completed all 10 modules there is a multiple choice test. The questions will be on a range of topics found within the 10 modules. The test, like the course, is online and can be taken a time and location of your choosing.

The pass mark for the test is 70%.

If you don’t pass the test first time you will get further opportunities to take the test again after extra study. There are no limits to the number of times you can take the test. All test retakes are included within the price of the course.

Once you have completed your test you can log in to your account and download/print your certificate any time you need it. If you would prefer us to post you a certificate to a UK address, there will be an admin charge of £10 (certificates sent internationally may cost more).

You can either use your Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Solo cards or PayPal account to pay for the online course. Our site uses the latest SSL encryption to ensure your safety. All payments are handled securely by PayPal.

You can begin the course immediately after your payment has been received. You will create your login details during the checkout process. We will also send you an email confirming your login details.

We estimate that the course will take about 14 hours to complete in total, plus an additional 30 minutes for the end of course test.

Once you have been awarded your certificate it is valid for life. The certificate does not expire or need renewing.