Cognitive Behaviour Therapy Group of the Psychotherapy Faculty

in the woods Specialist training as a consultant psychiatrist in cognitive behaviour therapy

It is possible to obtain a CCST in Psychotherapy through specialising in CBT (it is also possible to major in psychodynamic / interpersonal therapy or systemic therapy).

 

This training comprises 3 years at SpR level in a scheme accredited by the Psychotherapy Faculty. Trainees acquire an in depth knowledge of CBT theory and practice, and also receive training in psychodynamic and systemic approaches.

 

At the end of this training they are able to practise as specialists in psychotherapy, to train SpR's in psychotherapy and to take the role of leading multi-modal psychological therapy teams.

 

Specialising in CBT within other branches of psychiatry

Many psychiatrists develop skills in cognitive behaviour therapy over the course of their SpR training and wish to have these skills recognised. The use of psychological techniques are invaluable in all branches of psychiatry: general, old age, child and adolescent, forensic psychiatry and learning disability.

 

Some psychiatrists training in these specialties receive extensive CBT experience. While they are not eligible to be called specialists in cognitive behaviour therapy, if they can demonstrate that they have done sufficient training in CBT, they can have their expertise recognised by the College. Consultants with this training in CBT can take up special interest sessions or lead units where CBT is the main form of therapy. A psychiatrist aiming to be an expert in CBT, but not training as a specialist psychotherapist, should have achieved the following:

 

  1. Sufficient knowledge and skills in CBT to function as an expert practitioner so that they are eligible for accreditation by the British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy (BABCP).
  2. The necessary skills to train SHO's in CBT and to assist Consultant Psychotherapists in the provision of CBT training for SpR's in Psychotherapy.
  3. The ability to manage a Cognitive Behaviour Therapy service.

 

 

CBT SpR training posts around the UK and the SpR CBT group

Schemes offering higher training with a view to CCST accreditation as a Consultant Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist are currently running in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Nottingham, Leeds, London (at the Maudsley and St George's Hospitals), and Newcastle.

 

For more information on each of these (including the names and contact details of the Programme Directors) contact Claire Drummond, Specialty Training Officer at The Royal College of Psychiatrists. Information on each of these schemes will soon be published on the Psychotherapy Specialist Advisory Sub-Committee (PTSAC) webpage.

 

SpRs wishing to have CBT experience acknowledged but who have not pursued full CSST accreditation in CBT are directed to the college guidelines for general psychiatrists who wish to specialise in CBT.

 

An SpR CBT Group has been established to facilitate discussion of CBT within higher training. It is open to any SpR with an active interest in CBT (not necessarily those working towards CCST accreditation in CBT). The group communicates via email and meets face-to-face once a year at the British Association of Behaviour and Cognitive Psychotherapists' annual conference. Those wishing to join this SpR group should contact Helen Sowden.

 

Discussion groups and meetings

An email discussion group has been developed to allow debate between list members concerning the clinical practice and development of CBT in psychiatry. To join the list please join the group and express an interesting joining the list.

 

 

Joining the CBT group

To join the group you need to be a member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists and of the Psychotherapy Faculty. Please contact Dr Stirling Moorey to join the group.

 

 

Face-to-face meetings

Currently the group meets on two occasions a year :

 

 

 

CBT group pages developed by Stirling Moorey, Chris Williams and Mick McDonough.

 

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