Course Fee: $459 (Canadian currency)
This helpful, informative and stimulating course is designed to introduce the student to the theory and practice of CBT. It explores the basic premises of CBT, explains how to distinguish between thoughts and beliefs, shows you how to challenge faulty, maladaptive thinking and helps you to apply CBT constructs and tools.
Specifically this course will discuss the following: identifying, challenging and changing clients’ faulty thoughts and beliefs; understanding common cognitive errors; the role of rules in faulty, maladaptive thinking; the role of homework in CBT; the ABC model; how to use CBT constructs and tools such as a DRDT, the Downward Arrow Technique, the Dysfunctional Attitude Scale, Socratic Questioning and Guided Discovery, and the use of self-monitoring and graded task performance. In addition to this, we will clearly demonstrate how CBT theory, strategies and tools can be used to help clients with relationship concerns, or who are struggling with depression, with anxiety, or with feelings of anger and hostility.
There is no prior knowledge or experience required to embark on this rewarding certificate course. You are free to commence at a time that suits your schedule – and then continue at your pace for a period of six months. Full tutor support is provided for this course.
SYLLABUS
Module 1: Introduction to CBT
Topics Studied
• The basic premises of CBT
• Differentiating between thoughts and beliefs
• How automatic thoughts develop
• Tracking our automatic thoughts
• Common cognitive errors
• Schemata, or core beliefs
• Playing by the rules
• Introducing the ABC model
• Correcting thought distortions
• Distancing and decentring
• CBT’s triadic structure
• Brushing up skills: Confronting prejudice
Learning Outcomes and Summary of Objectives
Upon successful completion of this learning module, the student should be able to:
• List common cognitive errors.
• Describe the ABC model.
• Distinguish between automatic thoughts and core beliefs.
Module 2: Cognitive Techniques and Skills
Topics Studied
• CBT and the counselling relationship
• Key counselling microskills
• Understanding and applying cognitive techniques
• The Daily Record of Dysfunctional Thoughts (DRDT)
• The Downward Arrow Technique
• The Dysfunctional Attitude Scale
• Socratic questioning and guided discovery
Learning Outcomes and Summary of Objectives
Upon successful completion of this learning module, the student should be able to:
• Identify the key counselling microskills.
• Explain how to use a DRDT.
• Apply the Downward Arrow Technique.
Module 3: Behavioural Techniques and Skills
Topics Studied
• Understanding and applying active listening skills
• Teaching clients problem-solving skills
• The therapeutic use of behavioural tasks
• The value of self-monitoring
• The use of homework assignments
• Reviewing homework: Blocks and failures
• Graded Task Performance
Learning Outcomes and Summary of Objectives
Upon successful completion of this learning module, the student should be able to:
• Outline the steps involved in self-monitoring.
• Explain the purpose of homework assignments.
• Describe Graded Task Performance.
Module 4: CBT and Relationships
Topics Studied
• A cognitive perspective on relationships
• Mind reading in relationships
• Misreading the signals
• The role of expectations in relationships
• Symbolism in relationships
• The negative effects of prejudicial thinking
• Changing our perspective
• Brushing up on skills: Effective listening
Learning Outcomes and Summary of Objectives
Upon successful completion of this learning module, the student should be able to:
• Discuss mind reading in relationships.
• Describe how we “misread the signals”.
• Explain the role of symbols in relationships.
Module 5: CBT and Depression
Topics Studied
• Depression and loss
• Cognitive responses to loss
• The depressive chain reaction
• Working towards cognitive reorganisation
• Applying CBT techniques and strategies in your work with depressed clients
Learning Outcomes and Summary of Objectives
Upon successful completion of this learning module, the student should be able to:
• Outline the relationship between depression and loss.
• List common cognitive responses to loss.
• Describe the depressive chain reaction.
Module 6: CBT, Anxiety and Hostility
Topics Studied
• The symptoms of anxiety
• Phobias
• Psychosocial fears
• Generalised anxiety disorder
• The problem of egocentric thinking
• The hostility sequence
• Self-esteem, self-image and CBT
• Self-esteem, anger and hostility
Learning Outcomes and Summary of Objectives
Upon successful completion of this learning module, the student should be able to:
• Explain the relationship between thinking and psychosocial fears.
• Describe the hostility sequence.
• Outline the relationship between self-esteem, anger and hostility.
Suggested textbook for the course (to be purchased by the student)
Trower, P., Jones, J., & Dryden, W. (2015). Cognitive behavioural counselling in action. (3rd Ed.). SAGE: London.