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Cognitive Behavioural Therapy - Postgraduate Diploma

Queen’s University Belfast is offering the above course within the School of Sociology, Social Policy and Social Work.  The Programme is suitable mainly for mental health professionals and others from related professions and areas such as social work, mental health nursing, psychiatry and psychology.  This programme has recently been re-designed to meet the minimum training standards required for accreditation by the relevant professional body, the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) and assessed by the BABCP accreditation panel in Autumn 2010.

The programme integrates both the theory and practice of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for a range of clinical problems. Students will undertake CBT clinical practice with a minimum of eight clients during the year as an essential part of the programme.  These clients should be adults or older adolescents.  The clinical practice will take place in the student’s current work setting.  Training supervision will be provided weekly for these selected cases at the University by BABCP accredited therapists.  The teaching is provided by local and internationally acknowledged experts in the field.  The Postgraduate Diploma programme shall be offered on a one-day-per-week basis every Thursday for three semesters over one year.

Duration:

one academic year

Attendance requirements:

one day per week over three 12-week semesters (Thursdays)

Teaching:

11.00am – 5.00pm

Autumn semester:

Modules 1 and 3

Spring semester:

Modules 2 and 4

Module 1: 

SWK8087: Core Concepts and Skills of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Module 2: 

SWK8088: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Anxiety Disorders

Module 3: 

SWK8089: Application of CBT Models and Skills for Depression and Anxiety

Module 4:

SWK8090: Other Specific and Complex Disorders

Supervision:

Normally provided on Thursday mornings from 9.00am – 10.30am x 3 trainees (half an hour per student)

CATS points:

120 CATS (Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme)

Assessment methods:

A variety of assessment methods will be used including written assignments, case studies and DVD recorded therapy sessions with patients.  A portfolio of skills development is also completed and assessed.

Fees:

The fees for this programme are higher than the norm for a Postgraduate Diploma but in line with similar accredited CBT programmes elsewhere and reflect the nature of the intensive training programme, high level of skills’ development and provision of training supervision.  Fees for 2013/2014 are £5975.00 and are subject to possible increase each year.

Entrance requirements:

Please refer to the online CourseFinder.

Applicants must:

  • Have a 2.2 Honours degree (minimum mark 57%) or above in a cognate area, or equivalent recognized professional qualification(s);
  • Have at least two years’ clinical/practice experience in a statutory or independent mental health or related setting where applicants have worked with mood and anxiety disorders;
  • Provide evidence or prior basic knowledge of psychological therapies, preferably CBT;
  • Be currently employed in a clinical or practice setting within a suitable organization providing therapeutic or counseling services;
  • Be in a role for the duration of the programme to access a suitable client group for practice and supervision purposes.

Applicants from a non-core profession, such as counselors, will be expected to provide a portfolio of evidence and references to demonstrate suitable core knowledge, skills and attitudes in line with KSA guidelines produced by BABCP.

The closing date for applications is 17th May 2013 via the online Application Portal.  Those shortlisted will be invited to attend interview week beginning 20th May 2013.