Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Top up BSc (Hons)

You'll develop a reflexivity through integrating further advancements in CBT theory development, application of theory to skills and self-awareness to maintain ethical, anti-oppressive practice.

You'll further your CBT specific practical skills while developing specific CBT techniques and problem-specific CBT competencies. You'll be able to demonstrate the ability to deliver a course of CBT treatment effectively and act autonomously in developing and implementing treatments for anxiety, depression and phobias. Advanced counselling skills will be developed further and applied through a supervised triad work for other conditions that you will encounter in your placements: such as eating disorders (e.g., anorexia and bulimia), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, sleep problems (e.g., insomnia and problems related to alcohol misuse).

This module offers you the opportunity to develop your CBT skills and knowledge to the level of a competent CBT practitioner. The module structure allows you to specialise in the areas in which you are most interested and will meet the needs of your clinical practice within your placement. You'll develop a clear understanding of cognitive behavioural concepts, models and methods. You'll gain skills in collaborative assessment, formulation and treatment, and develop sound clinical decision making through a critical appreciation of the theoretical and empirical literature. This module will explore recent developments in cognitive behavioural therapy (e.g., mindfulness, compassion-focussed therapy etc), research in cognitive behaviour therapy, and schema-focussed cognitive behaviour therapy. Through advancing your CBT skills, you'll build upon existing skills and develop your practice to meet the needs of clients with complex needs.

You'll be able to demonstrate your psychological readiness for practice within your chosen counselling modality (Gestalt, Humanist or CBT), and effectively communicate your understanding of the importance of on-going personal and professional development.

Regular skills clinics through small supervision groups provide you with the opportunity to develop your practice in a safe environment and evidence your growing ability to integrate theory and practice. You'll learn to evaluate in greater depth the importance of personal development, apply underlying principles and concepts of your chosen counselling modality (Gestalt, Humanistic or CBT) into your skills practice. You'll engage in increasingly sophisticated self-awareness and reflexivity, effectively communicate feedback, assess feedback and integrate it in an increasingly sophisticated manner, understand your competency limits and your need for additional and on-going training and critically understand anti-oppressive practice and ethical considerations.

You'll be introduced to a variety of methods and approaches, which will be examined with a highly practical focus. The emphasis will be placed on the specific issues and research questions which are commonly addressed in counselling, and which might be addressed using different research approaches. You'll demonstrate your acquisition of the knowledge by writing a research proposal and carrying out a research project. You'll have a support of a specialised research mentor and will have access to the university research facilities (where necessary or required by the scope of the research project).

The principle objective in the research project is to assist you in gaining insight into the organisation, analysis and communication of research within counselling field. The approved investigation may be novel (i.e. one that has not previously been carried out) or it may repeat previously executed work for comparative or control purposes. You'll be able to synthesise new and existing knowledge to generate ideas and develop creative solutions of benefit to the counselling profession, counselling theory, your own practice or of your own interest within your specialisation (Gestalt, Humanistic or CBT). You'll be able to locate, access and critically engage with information, using current and emerging digital technologies as well as a vast amount of literature available via the university and college learning resources.