Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Children and Young People

This programme provides training for individuals in outcomes-based CBT interventions to promote psychological wellbeing in children and young people. This Master's programme is aimed at professionals already working in the field of children's services, including social care, education and health, who hope to gain skills they can practise in the workplace.

The programme will develop participants’ knowledge and skills in cognitive behavioural based interventions with children and young people experiencing a range of difficulties in social and emotional aspects of their development. Participants will also develop skills in evaluating the impact of their own work, in order to be able to reflect on and modify practice in future.

All candidates should initially enrol for the Postgraduate Certificate (modules 1-4, 60 credits).

On completion they should make a decision to terminate their studies at that point or enrol to take further modules for the Diploma (modules 5–8, 60 credits) and MSc (dissertation module, 60 credits).

Core modules

• Certificate:
• Introduction to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in Context
• Assessment and Engagement for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in Context
• Basic Skills (Developing Understanding)
• Basic Skills (Methods of Change)
   
• Diploma:
• Introduction to Disorder Specific Approaches
• Disorder Specific Approaches
• Complex Problems
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in Context
   
• MSc:
• Research Dissertation

Dissertation/report

All MSc students undertake an independent research project which culminates in a substantial dissertation.

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered at the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families, and taught by leading practitioners in the field. Teaching is a combination of lectures, workshops and seminars. A core component of the programme is videoing of students' CBT practice which is discussed in small practice tutor groups during each teaching day.

Normally a minimum of a second-class UK Bachelor's degree or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard in a relevant subject (e.g. psychology) and/or professional qualification in a relevant subject. Additionally, applicants must have experience of working with children in education, health or social care settings and a work context that enables them to fulfil the programme requirements (including time to attend, and undertake case work and CBT with children). Please see 'who can apply' for further information.