The Diploma consists of three prescribed Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) modules (each of 40 credits) taken at level 4. The modules are entitled: The fundamentals of CBT, CBT for anxiety and related disorders, and CBT for depression and related disorders. Teaching will be a mix of lectures, role-plays and discussions. There will be a strong focus on experiential learning and the mastering of practical skills such as assessment, formulation, working with thoughts, rules and beliefs using cognitive and behavioural methods, and following disorder specific protocols. The skills element will consist of at least 50 per cent of the course. The course will be taught by experienced clinicians in CBT, all registered as practitioners, supervisors and trainers with the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP). National experts will guest on the programme to teach specific sessions in their area of expertise during the course.
Students will receive theoretical instruction and clinical skills development at the University for one day per week.
Supervision will be provided as part of the course to ensure consistency between the academic and supervision elements. Teaching will be supplemented by off-campus experiential learning in the student’s place of work.
Assessments
Written Assessments
a) Essays
Students are required to complete one essay in the first module, of a maximum 3,000 words, on assigned topics related to the module's teaching. This essay must demonstrate a clear understanding of the theoretical basis of Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapies (CBP). In the final module an essay of 3,000 words is to be completed relating to the material in modules three and four.
b) Case reports
Students are required to write up four treated cases, one in the first, two in the second and one in the third term. Case reports are between 2,000 and 4,000 words. Case reports include: references to relevant literature, a description of the patient, a cognitive-behavioural formulation of the case, a treatment plan demonstrating knowledge of appropriate cognitive therapy interventions, an evaluation of outcome, and a concluding discussion. The final case report must be an extended report of between 3,000-5,000 words that shows an advanced understanding of evidence-based practice in relation to the patient's problem.
Evaluation of Clinical Performance
a) Audio/video-taped treatment sessions
Students must submit four audio or videotaped examples of mid-treatment cognitive therapy sessions, one in the first term, and the other three in the second and third terms. The first two of these tapes will be evaluated formatively by means of the Cognitive Therapy Scale, an established measure of therapist performance. The other two tapes are used as part of the formal assessment procedure, again using the Cognitive Therapy scale. The tapes used can be the same as those used for the case reports.
Summary of assessments
Assessment of module one - essay of 3,000 words maximum (15% of total marks), case report one 2,000-4,000 (15% of total)
Assessment of module two - case reports two and three, 2,000-4,000 words each (30% of total)
Assessment of module three - extended case report, 3,000-4,500 words (20% of total), essay 3,000 words maximum (20% of total)
Two tapes: pass/fail (does not contribute to mark but must be passed)
Clinical practice
The student must complete eight cases by the end of the course. Cases need to be accessed through the trainee’s employing department. They should also work towards a total of 200 hours clinical practice over the year, whic is the BABCP accreditation requirement. It is very important to think in advance about accessing suitable cases.