Professional Certificate in CBT

Introduction Day 1 and Day 2

The initial two days of the Professional Certificate include an overview of the theoretical underpinnings of the CBT approach.  Additionally, therapeutic interventions introduced are practiced and skills developed through experiential learning, building confidence and developing the ability.  The material is presented using PowerPoint and DVD’s, role plays, lively discussions and tutor demonstrations are used to facilitate learning.  

Objectives of the Two Introductory Days

Students can expect to:
•    Be introduced to the theory of CBT
•    Become familiar with assessment considerations
•    Identify and work with Negative Automatic Thoughts, Assumptions and Core Beliefs
•    Learn and practice key cognitive and behavioural interventions
•    Develop an understanding of guided discovery and practice the use of Socratic Questions
•    Begin to understand the idea of case formulation

Day 3: CBT for Anxiety

This workshop is designed to introduce participants to the key diagnostic symptoms of anxiety and the role of its physiological characteristics will be explored.  Particular focus is given to disorder-specific models for panic and social phobia.  Experiential learning in the application of these models with the use of case studies will be an important feature of the day.  

Objectives of Day 3

Students can expect to:
•    Become familiar with standardised measures used in the diagnosis of anxiety disorders
•    Be introduced to the generic cognitive model of anxiety
•    Gain an understanding of the maintenance models for both panic and social anxiety disorder
•    Choose and implement appropriate interventions in the treatment of anxiety
•    Learn how to provide the client with the rationale for the use of various interventions
•    Design, implement and review a behavioural experiment using  a case study example

Day 4: CBT for Depression

This workshop focuses on Major Depressive Episode, symptoms, diagnosis and maintenance factors.  Participants are taught the importance of the use of pacing, goal setting and choice of intervention with depressed clients.  Participants will be provided with the opportunity to role-play specific cognitive and behavioural techniques and will be given valuable feedback to enhance learning. 

Objectives of Day 4

Students can expect to:
•    Deepen their understanding of the clinical features of depression
•    Become familiar with standardised measures used in the diagnosis of depression
•    Be introduced to the cognitive model of depression
•    Practice the use of the thought diary as a key cognitive intervention
•    Learn the value of behavioural activation with depressed clients
•    Become familiar with the positive data log and its appropriate application

Day 5: Integration Day

The Integration Day takes place in a relaxed atmosphere, where participants are given the opportunity to outline and describe how they have integrated the learning from the four core workshops and applied it to their practice. Each member in the group will be provided with feedback and assessed using the following criteria:

•    Understanding and prioritising of main presenting problems
•    Understanding the maintenance of presenting problem
•    Identification of the three levels of thinking 
•    Use of cognitive Interventions
•    Use of behavioural Interventions
•    Personal application of the CBT approach 
•    Integration on approach to current work practice
•    Development of a case formulation

Participants will be expected to submit relevant documentation supporting the evidence of 15 hours of client work and 3 hours of supervision on the day.

 Programme Leader:

Eoin Stephens, MA, MIACP, MACI:

A leading Irish Cognitive Behavioural Therapist (CBT) Trainer, Eoin has worked in the area of mental health and psychotherapy for more than 25 years. He is one of Ireland’s leading providers of counselling and psychotherapy courses and is a former Vice-Chairperson of the IACP and the ACI.  Eoin has a particular interest in the relationship between addictions and mental health problems such as anxiety and depression and is a co-founder of Dual Diagnosis Ireland. He is also well known for his therapy, training and media work in the field of behavioural addictions, and is a director of the Addictive Behaviours Centre.

Eilish McGuinness, MIACP

BSc (Hons) Counselling & Psychotherapy, Professional Certificate in CBT

Eilish is a senior lecturer with PCI College and holds a First Class BSc (Hons) Degree in Counselling & Psychotherapy from Middlesex University.  She also holds qualifications in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Sexual Compulsive Behaviour Disorders.  She is an accredited member of the Irish Association of Counselling and Therapy (IACP), and the International Society of Schema Therapists (ISST).  Eilish was one of the first in Ireland to train as an Advanced Accredited Schema Therapist, Supervisor and Trainer.  Eilish runs a successful private practice in Ashbourne, Co. Meath and is actively involved as a committee member of the Schema Therapy Association of Ireland (STAI) which was founded in 2014 with other qualified ISST colleagues interested in promoting ST in this country.

Full Course Fee - €730 (Save €50)

Day 1: Foundation Level Theory and Practice 
Day 2: Behavioural & Cognitive Strategies in CBT

Cost of Days 1 & 2 - €260

Day 3: Depression - A Cognitive Behavioural Approach
Day 4: Anxiety - A Cognitive Behavioural Approach 
Day 5: Integration/Assessment Day 

Cost of Days 3,4 and 5 - €520

Days 1 and 2 must be taken together.  Students who have completed the PCI College module in Advanced CBT (Year 4 of BSc Degree) or equivalent* are entitled to an exemption on Day 1 & Day 2 of this Certificate. Requests for exemptions must be made in advance of starting the course.  NO exemptions are granted for Day 3, 4 & 5 of the course.

*Equivalent courses must be supported by appropriate documentation and will be decided on a case by case basis by the Programme Leader.

Fees are non-refundable in all personal circumstances. All courses run subject to demand and the formation of a viable class cohort. A full refund will be given to all applicants in the event that the class does not proceed.

Eligibility: 

Qualification in Counselling, Psychotherapy or other helping professionals with therapeutic experience. Students currently in training (BSc Degree Year 2 onwards) will be considered, on the understanding that the CBT Certificate qualification cannot be used until they have qualified. You must have access to clients on a daily basis to be able to meet the requirement of 15 hours of counselling using the CBT tools learnt during this course.

The Process

Days 1 & Days 2 must be completed before the topic days.

As well as completing Day 5, the Integration Day, participants will be required to provide evidence of completion of 15 hours supervised relevant client work and do a Poster Presentation on a topic relating to CBT. 

The Integration Day will solidify learning and provide an opportunity for case discussion and supervision. Students who complete the clinical work will be awarded a PCI College Professional Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.

The Certificate Course is €780 in total (Including Day 5 Integration Day). 

"I loved the practical application...Excellent presentations moved at a pace set by participants and weren't afraid to ask questions" Helena Irish

"Great Day! Lots to reflect on. Lots of support...I liked the opportunity to practice skills. I am now motivated to incorporate CBT into my work. Very well organised" Pauline McMullen

"Factual, Informative. Met all expectations" Billy Buojan

"Delivery of CBT Training, relaxed, informative and skilled. Thank you" Sheila O'Neill

"{I enjoyed} putting what you learned into practice within the safe confines of a triad is a good way to get a feel of CBT."  Olcan McAteer