Cognitive Behaviour Therapy with Counselling for Depression

This diploma programme provides training in both cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) and Counselling for Depression (CfD). Students on this programme will have placements in NHS funded Improving Access to Psychological Therapy (IAPT) Services.

The programme will provide:

• Training in the principles and practice of CfD to meet the competence requirements for practice in CfD as accredited by the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy
• Training in the principles and practice of CBT to meet foundation level competence for practice in CBT, which with further supervision could lead to accreditation as a CBT therapist with the British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapists (BABCP).

Students undertake modules to the value of 120 credits.

The programme consists of six core modules.

Core modules

• Counselling for Depression
• Fundamentals of CBT
• CBT for Anxiety - basic
• CBT for Depression
• CBT for Anxiety - Advanced
• Clinical Portfolio

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, workshops, skills practice, clinical supervision groups, directed reading and e-learning. In addition to time at UCL, students spend at least a further two days a week in an IAPT service seeing people with common mental health problems in CfD and CBT under supervision. Assessment is through coursework, case reports, audio and video recordings of students’ clinical practice and the presentation of a clinical portfolio.

Applicants are normally expected to hold at least a second-class Bachelor's degree from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. However, other academic qualifications of an equivalent standard, including professional mental health and counselling qualifications, and substantial work experience and achievements at work demonstrating ability to study successfully at a postgraduate level can be taken into account.
In addition, applicants for this programme are required to have: a diploma in counselling and two years post-graduation counselling practice experience; evidence of basic knowledge of CBT; interest in and enthusiasm for providing both CfD and CBT; evidence of commitment to working in an IAPT service placement for two years.