CBT Programmes at Cardiff University: Frequently Asked Questions

The following questions refer primarily to the PG Certificate Programme. Please note that you must have a BABCP-accredited PG Certificate in CBT in order to be eligible for the PG Diploma programme.

Do I meet the entry requirements?

The entry requirements are given in full in a separate document available on the website. http://psych.cf.ac.uk/degreeprogrammes/postgraduate/cbt/

You need:

a first degree (please see entry requirements for exceptions); a core profession in mental health or KSA portfolio (please see the website for details

or contact david.hitt@wales.nhs.uk); work (paid or unpaid) in the UK in which you can practice individual CBT with clients

experiencing anxiety and depression a manager and a clinical supervisor (these may be the same person) a GCSE level English qualification personal suitability demonstrated interest and commitment to CBT

Am I likely to get a place?

Applicants will be selected for interview on the basis of demonstrated attainment of the entry requirements (above). Applicants for the Diploma year may also be selected on the basis of academic attainment in the certificate modules.

What sort of work placement do I need?

You will need to evidence at least 100 hours CBT practice during the year. Thirty hours are required by March and a further 70 by September.

You need to be able to offer individual CBT to clients whose primary difficulty is an anxiety disorder or depression.

We ask for a form signed by your workplace manager to confirm that they are happy to support you to take the programme.

What supervision do I need?

You need a workplace supervisor to ensure your practice is safe. We ask for a form signed by a clinical supervisor to confirm that they will be offering supervision for the duration of the programme. This person does not have to be a CBT practitioner.

You will also need to have five hours specialist CBT supervision during the course. This is for you to arrange but we can provide a list of supervisors who have agreed to supervise groups of three students together.

Where do the training days take place?

The training days take place in the School of Psychology which is in the Tower Building, Park Place, Cardiff.

When do the training days take place?

The induction morning and the teaching days take place on Wednesdays between January and July, usually excluding school holidays.

Do I have to attend all the teaching days?

To pass the programme you must attend all of the four teaching days for the first module and at least eight of the ten days for the second module. There is also an induction on the first Wednesday in January.

When can I have the full timetable?

The full timetable will be available from the end of October. We try to ensure the dates remain the same but the order of teaching days may vary within these.

How much work is it?

In addition to log books of CBT practice you will be asked to submit an essay on the theory and research of CBT and two 2-3,000 word case reports. We estimate that you will need to put in 125 hours of private study over the course.

Will I be an accredited CBT practitioner at the end of the programme?

The Certificate and Diploma programmes in Cognitive Behavioural Therapies (CBT) are accredited by BABCP at Level 1 indicating that they offer high quality training which covers the Minimum Training Standards of BABCP but some further criteria will have to be met by individuals for full practitioner accreditation. These will include further teaching hours and further evidence of supervised CBT practice. We aim to provide most of the academic requirements for BABCP practitioner accreditation. Please see the BABCP minimum training standards for full details.