Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy

Entry requirements

This course is offered as specialised post-qualification course that builds on relevant knowledge and skills already possessed by prospective candidates. Suitable candidates for the course will:

• have achieved a recognised third level qualification in a health profession (e.g. as a Clinical or Counselling Psychologist, Psychiatric Nurse, Social Worker, Psychiatrist, Psychotherapist or Occupational Therapist), and;
• hold a postgraduate diploma in a cognitive or behavioural psychotherapy or an equivalent training qualification in a cognitive or behavioural psychotherapy, and;
• have in addition conducted a further 40 hours of supervised cognitive or behavioural psychotherapy since completion of their diploma course or equivalent qualification, and;
• be able to demonstrate a fluent command of the English language, and;
• It is desirable that applicants are accredited members of a recognised CBT organisation such as Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy Ireland or the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies.

Non-EU applicants will be expected to hold equivalent qualifications.

Months of entry

January, September

Course content

Cognitive behavioural therapy is a collaborative, structured approach to helping individuals with psychological difficulties. Prospective candidates pursue a two-year part-time Master of Science course in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. Emphasis will be on helping participants gain a high level of clinical competence in utilising this approach in hospital-based and community-based health care settings to a level that they will be able to apply for accreditation with appropriate accrediting bodies including the Proposed Registration Board for Psychological Therapists in Ireland.

The course offers post-qualification training in the theory and practice of cognitive psychotherapy, as applied in a variety of mental health settings. Competence is developed through a combination of clinical supervision, lectures, workshops and written assignments. Assessment is based on the submission of case studies and theoretical reviews, oral presentations and standardised rating of therapy sessions. Students will complete a research project that is submitted as a dissertation in the Hilary term of the second year.