MSc Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Course description

The course is designed to meet the criteria for accreditation with the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP)**.

The programme sets out to develop practitioners who can work individually in a professional practice setting or as part of a multi-disciplinary team in various settings using CBT approaches. It is designed to provide you, as the learner, with the theoretical knowledge, practical skills and personal confidence to apply strategic protocols of CBT in the area of mental health and general health wellbeing.

Who is this course for?
The MSc CBT is a comprehensive professional training course focused on the acquisition, refinement and application of CBT skills across a variety of presenting issues and settings. The course is designed to enhance trainees’ existing qualifications. Applicants include counsellors and psychotherapists and those from a BABCP recognised core profession (Psychiatry, Social Work, Psychology, Occupational Therapy, Medicine, Mental Health Nursing, Art Therapy). The course is designed to meet the criteria for BABCP accreditation**. The course is not a stand-alone counselling qualification.

What are the benefits of doing this course?
This programme has been developed to meet an ever-expanding need in the Irish market to provide high quality, affordable education to individuals wishing to enhance their qualifications. This Master’s in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy can be regarded as one of the most innovative programmes of its kind in Ireland, with an emphasis on third-wave interventions supplementing more traditional approaches. The programme centres around theoretical knowledge, skills and experiential growth which will instil a sense of competence, confidence and clarity for the developing CBT practitioner.  We integrate professional development through self-reflection, emphasising personal capabilities such as self-awareness, integrity, sensitivity, flexibility, insight, compassion, imagination, and personal presence.

What will you learn?
As a student in the MSc programme, you will be immersed in the therapeutic skills required to work with varying complex cases.  You will experience practical application of both skills and theory in class and through a clinical placement setting, supported via in class and external supervision. You will be provided with opportunities to evaluate and critically assess appropriate interventions for the client group and develop proficiency in assessment and case formulation skills.

You will develop mastery of CBT application complemented by the efficacy of 3rd wave approaches. You will also have opportunities to create your own specialisation through our CBT in Specialised Areas module and via your dissertation.

This Masters is designed to be participative and experiential and draw on prior professional experience whenever possible. The academic value of the programme is enhanced by a learning environment that is warm, transparent, and genuine. On completion, you will have a range of transferable skills and a deep understanding of this new area of professional practice.