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Frequently asked questions about CBT
Q1. What is Cognitive Behaviour Therapy?
A. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) is an approach to help people experiencing a wide range of mental health difficulties. The basis of CBT is that what people think affects how they feel emotionally and also alters what they do.
During times of mental distress the way the person sees and judges themselves and the things that happen to them alters. Things tend to become more extreme and unhelpful. This can worsen how the person feels and causes them to act in ways that keep their distress going.
CBT practitioners, who come from many training backgrounds, aim to work jointly with the person to help them begin to identify and then change their extreme thinking and unhelpful behaviour. By doing this, the result is a significant improvement in how the person feels and lives their day to day life. (Extract from British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy (BABCP)
BABCP website )
Q2. What level is required by employers?
A. This depends upon the requirements of the employer. Most Employee Assistance Programmes (EAP'S) ask for competence to use CBT within a short-term framework, as does much of the voluntary sector. However, in the IAPT centres high intensity workers will have to be trained to BABCP Accreditation standards.
Q3. Do I need CBT Training to get work in IAPT Services?
A. PCT's bidding to become IAPT services must be able to provide at least one third of staff who are already qualified to deliver high intensity therapy. New staff employed in IAPT services will undertake high intensity training during the first year. Applicants for high intensity trainee posts must be able to demonstrate academic equivalence, for example with clinical psychologists, psychological therapists, counsellors, mental health nurses etc.
Q4. What level is required to practice as a CBT Therapist?
A. A CBT therapist should have completed a Core Practitioner Training in CBT, usually at Post Graduate Diploma level or above.
Q5. Can CBT be integrated into my existing practice?
A. Therapists of a variety of modalities seek further training or Continued Professional Development (CPD) in CBT to expand their knowledge and skills. In the January 2007 survey of BACP accredited members, it was found that 72% of those respondents working in Primary Care had incorporated CBT into their practice, although only 3% identified CBT as the theoretical basis of their work.
Q6. What methods of training delivery exist?
A. There is a variety of training available in CBT from 1 day introductory, 2-5 day skills courses and workshops through to taught Post Graduate Certificate/Diploma's and Masters Programmes in Higher Education/Universities.
Whilst the majority follow a taught course program there are now online CBT courses available.