Professional Certificate in Talking Therapy Approaches to Addiction Using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Build confidence in using CBT to treat addiction. Gain evidence-based skills for assessment, case formulation, and relapse prevention in both individual and group settings.
This certificate provides a comprehensive and evidence-based understanding of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for addiction. You’ll explore the evolution of CBT, its effectiveness in treating addictive behaviours, and its limitations. Through theory, skills practice, and case formulation, you’ll learn how to apply CBT in both one-to-one and group settings to support recovery from substance and behavioural addictions.
DATES
- Saturday December 6th
- Sunday December 7th
- Saturday January 3rd
- Sunday January 4th
From 9:00 am to 5:30 pm
Please note that by enrolling on this Professional Certificate programme, you will be joining a Year 2 module of PCI College’s MSc Addiction Counselling & Psychotherapy programme. Some of your classmates will be students completing their studies on the MSc Addiction Counselling & Psychotherapy programme, so you can expect to experience a high level of knowledge from your peers during your studies on this Professional Certificate.
Who is this course for?
This course is designed for counsellors, psychotherapists, social workers, and allied health professionals who wish to build competence in applying CBT techniques to addiction treatment in clinical and community settings.
Course Requirements
Attend all 4 days of teaching
Formative Assessment
Engage in skills practice and group discussion throughout the module.
Practise CBT assessment and formulation in class, with peer and lecturer feedback.
Summative Assessment
Submit a 3,000-word projective case formulation, including:
• Presenting issues and history
• CBT-informed theory and rationale
• Detailed formulation (thoughts, feelings, behaviours)
• Proposed interventions and relapse-prevention strategies
What are the benefits of doing this course?
- Gain specialist CBT skills to work with both substance and behavioural addictions.
- Develop confidence in using structured CBT techniques such as psychoeducation, cognitive restructuring, and relapse prevention.
- Enhance your ability to formulate CBT cases, tailoring interventions to diverse client needs.
- Apply CBT in individual and group contexts to broaden your clinical practice.
What will you learn?
By completing this course, you will be able to:
- Analyse the cognitive and behavioural theories that shaped CBT.
- Critically evaluate the evidence base for CBT in addiction treatment, including its criticisms.
- Apply CBT case formulation to highlight presenting issues and interventions.
- Use CBT tools to manage triggers, cravings, and relapse prevention.
- Facilitate CBT interventions in group therapy contexts.
- Adapt CBT models for multicultural and diverse client populations.
Day 1
• The evidence base for CBT in addiction treatment
• Theoretical principles and models of addiction in CBT
• Historical development of cognitive and behavioural approaches
Day 2
• CBT assessment and case formulation
• Building and maintaining the therapeutic alliance in addiction counselling
• Identifying cognitive distortions and behavioural patterns
Day 3
• CBT tools and techniques: psychoeducation, cognitive restructuring, exposure response prevention
• Skills for managing cravings and relapse prevention strategies
• Practising CBT interventions in role plays and group work
Day 4
• Third-wave CBT approaches: mindfulness, acceptance, and dialectical perspectives
• Applying CBT in group therapy settings
• Cultural adaptations and ethical practice in CBT for addiction
Eligibility
Applicants should possess the maturity to reflect on their development as a person and have successfully completed and obtained a minimum grade 2.2 in one of the following:
Level 8 NFQ/Level 6 UK accredited degree in Counselling and Psychotherapy/Addiction Counselling
OR
Level 8 NFQ/ Level 6UK degree in Social Sciences (Youth Work, Social Care, Social Work, Psychology, Nursing, Medicine, etc.)
OR
Accredited Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy/Addiction Counselling plus Level 8 NFQ/Level 6UK degree in an unrelated area plus submission of a clinical portfolio
IT Skills
Students require sufficient IT skills to complete the course.
Additional Entry Requirements
Students with a diagnosed learning difficulty (e.g. dyslexia) must declare this at application stage. Advice and support will be provided where needed. Students currently enrolled in Year 1 of the MSc Addiction
Fees
Standard Rate: Applies to all non-affiliated participants.
PCI College Graduate: Discounted rate available for graduates of BSc Degree and Postgraduate programmes.
Current BSc/MSc Students & Alumni Members: Preferential rate available. Join our Alumni Group on LinkedIn to access this discount
Course Fees – Republic of Ireland
Course Total