MSc/PgDip Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

The aims of this module are to enable the student to critically evaluate and analyse a range of research and practice-based evidence and consider how this may be used to enhance and inform practice.

Module Content:
This module will examine the epistemology of research, the principles of ethical research and a critical analysis of how it is used in practice.

Key aspects of content will address data collection and analysis methods and concepts of validity, reliability, rigour and trustworthiness.

It will also incorporate other forms of evidence including audit and service evaluation.

The emphasis throughout this module will be on the use and relevance of research skills to practitioners seeking to assess, improve or evaluate services.

The module will harness students existing personal and life skills and knowledge of care as a basis for developing learning that is relevant and focussed on their practice needs and stage of professional development.

The module learning outcomes will be met through a combination of activities including lectures, small group work and work-based activities designed to link theoretical perspectives with practice. Tutorials will be used to enable students to discuss specific issues that interest them in the context of their practice. Additionally, online and work-based activities will be used to enhance self-directed learning.

Learning and teaching will normally include:

• An introduction to research methodologies and methods, including secondary research (systematic review and meta-analysis).
• Critical examination of a range of ways of collecting qualitative and quantitative data.
• Critical examination of quantitative and qualitative data analysis techniques including commonly used statistics and qualitative methods such as thematic analysis.
• Methods of standardising measurement techniques and ensuring validity, reliability, credibility and trustworthiness.
• The principles of ethical research

Learning Outcomes:

Knowledge and Understanding:
Successful students will typically...

• Critically evaluate and discuss qualitative and quantitative research paradigms and relevant research theories.
• Demonstrate a critical awareness of quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis methods, understanding their strengths, weaknesses, resource, and ethical implications.
• Critically discuss how research generates new knowledge and addresses shortfalls in existing knowledge in practice.
• Demonstrate understanding of how a complex web of evidence may be applied in professional practice.

Intellectual, Practical and Transferable Skills:
Successful students will typically...

• Conduct a literature search and retrieve a range of international and national research evidence relevant to professional practice.
• Utilise a systematic and integrative approach to evidence, applying theories where appropriate.
• Recognise the complex interactions between evidence, resources, and other organisational constraints.

Number of Learner Hours: 

1.    Scheduled - 28

2.    Independent - 122

3.    Placement/work-based learning - 0

Assessment:

The assessment for this module is a presentation which critically appraises research relevant to a clinical issue from the students own area of practice.

The presentation should demonstrate a critical awareness of how research may be used to refine understanding of the clinical issue and facilitate evidence-based practice.

This module is part of the PgDip Cognitive Behavioural Therapy programme 

This module introduces students to the basic principles and underlying theories of CBT and to the importance of evidence-based practice.  Students will learn the foundational competencies of CBT assessment and formulation and begin to apply these in practice. The importance of learning to review and evaluate research in relation to clinical practice will be highlighted.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding 

Successful students will typically: 

1. be able to demonstrate a critical knowledge and systematic understanding of the principles, theories relevant to CBT practice and evidence base which informs the treatment protocols for anxiety and depression. 

2. be able to critically analyse information, and synthesise knowledge in order to demonstrate an understanding of CBT as a therapeutic intervention

Intellectual, Practical and Transferable Skills 

Successful students will typically:

1. demonstrate advanced skills in autonomous learning and an ability to access and appraise the evidence base for CBT 

2. demonstrate the systematic and comprehensive foundational skills of CBT assessment and formulation and begin to apply core skills in practice

Assessment

Coursework 1 – 100%.  Written critical review of literature.   2500 words.  The review will be focused on a topic relevant to the fundamentals of CBT.  Students will choose from a range of topics. The literature review should show good knowledge of the most recent literature and reflect the student’s ability to become an evidence-based practitioner by using the scientist practitioner model. This assignment must be passed and in part enables achievement of BABCP’s Minimum Training Standards.

This module is part of the PgDip Cognitive Behavioural Therapy programme 

This module is designed to enable students to gain a critical understanding of cognitive behavioural therapy models and protocols of depression and anxiety in line with Roth and Pilling (2008) Competency framework. Furthermore, it aims to develop related skills in applying CBT in the assessment and treatment of depression and anxiety disorders. The module will cover principles and practice in cognitive behavioural therapy, the scope of application in practice and accountability.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

Successful students will typically: 

1. apply a systematic understanding of the theory and evidence base which informs the treatment protocols for anxiety and depression

2. be able to critically evaluate theoretical evidence-based interventions integrated within, and guiding, therapy with anxiety and depression.

Intellectual, Practical and Transferable Skills

Successful students will typically:

1. show skill in identifying common mental health problems using DSM-5 (APA, 2013)/ ICD-11 (WHO) current classification system with awareness of the limits of diagnostic systems 

2. demonstrate systematic and comprehensive CBT competency in line with treatment protocols for anxiety and depression

Assessment

Coursework 1 is a written case study with a focus on relevant protocol(s), literature, and evidence base (2500 words).  The practical assignment is a digital recording of above case along with a completed CTSr.  CBT competence, as measured by CTSr must be above a score of 36 or above to achieve a pass.  Both assignments must be passed and together they support requirements laid down by BABCP’s Minimum Training Standards.  

This module provides guidance on the fundamentals of practicing CBT, focussing on ethical principles and skills for practice. It will address issues such as equity, diversity, and inclusion in modern practice as well as competences for practicing, such as assessment and therapeutic alliances. The module will support you to develop a good grounding for the theories and skills underpinning CBT practice and aims to develop evidence-based practice by using the scientist practitioner model, where understanding and critique of the research will inform your practice.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding:

Successful students will typically: 

1. critically examine the role of clinical supervision in CBT focusing on the professional, cultural and ethical implications in practice 

2. systematically and critically evaluate the processes and methods used to improve own CBT practice

Intellectual, Practical and Transferable Skills:

Successful students will typically:

1. be able to practice as “scientist practitioners” and employ critical, research and reflective skills to identify and develop their own CBT competence 

2. develop a shared understanding of clinical supervision goals for learning and development; including areas of professional conduct and accountability; technical and educational needs and awareness of processes affecting therapy, including emotional support

Assessment

Coursework 1 – 2500 words.  A written reflective case study with a focus on student’s personal refection on their experience in delivering CBT related to case along with their experiences of CBT supervision.  The practical assignment is a mid-programme portfolio.  This will contain various elements including a digital recording of above case along with a completed CTSr.  CBT competence, as measured by CTSr must be a score of 36 or above to achieve a pass.  Both assignments must be passed and together they support requirements laid down by BABCP’s Minimum Training Standards. 

This module will enable students gain an enhanced knowledge of mental health problems related to more complex presentations. It will help students further develop their critical CBT skills in working with more complex presentations such as chronic depression. PTSD, social anxiety disorder and comorbid presentations. The module will cover applied evidence-based cognitive and/or behavioural approaches and enable students to consider how they would approach challenges in therapy. Students will be introduced to adaptations for working with equality and diversity.    

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding: 

Successful students will typically:  

1. critically discuss and evaluate the research and evidence base relevant to challenging, complex and comorbid CBT presentations  

2. systematically and critically evaluate the processes and methods, including meta competencies, used in the context of challenging, complex and comorbid presentations 

Intellectual, Practical and Transferable Skills : 

Successful students will typically: 

1. systematically and skilfully apply evidence-based CBT approaches which have been identified by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) 

2. incorporate the Equality Diversity and Inclusion Competences outlined in Section 5 of the BABCP Minimum Training Standards (2021) into their own CBT practice 

Assessment

Coursework 1 is an extended 3500 word written Case Analysis which will demonstrate knowledge and understanding related to learning outcomes 9a1 and 9a2.  The practical assignment is a digital recording of a CBT therapy case along with a completed CTSr.  CBT competence, as measured by CTSr, must be a score of 36 or above to achieve a pass.  Both assignments must be passed and together they support requirements laid down by BABCP’s Minimum Training Standards. 

This module enables students to further develop skills around building collaborative therapeutic relationships with clients and identify and address factors that may impact on therapy. Through supervision, students will enhance their CBT skills around assessment, building formulations and treatment plans with clients, whilst continuing to evaluate their own practice. The importance of developing as reflective, evidence-based practitioners will be emphasised. The module will culminate in the development of a portfolio that shows how students have developed the required competencies to work as effective CBT practitioners. 

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding: 

Successful students will typically:  

1. Critically discuss and evaluate the theories, policies and research evidence that contribute to the use of a cognitive−behavioural framework in assessment, case formulation, treatment plan design, treatment and evaluation  

2. Be able to employ critical, research and reflective skills to identify and develop the CBT competence of self and others 

Intellectual, Practical and Transferable Skills: 

Successful students will typically: 

1. Show a detailed understanding of the needs of diverse populations and provide adaptations to addressing their needs, including being able to address power dynamics and how this effects collaboration  

2. Develop skills that enable them to demonstrate self-direction and originality in personally challenging situations and be able to critically reflect, understand and where possible respond appropriately in the context of that challenge 

Assessment

Coursework 1 is a case study presentation to an audience.  The practical assignment is an end of programme portfolio. This will contain various elements required to evidence related to BABCP accreditation.  Both assignments must be passed and together they support requirements laid down by BABCP’s Minimum Training Standards.