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Cognitive and Behavioural Therapy: Theory and practice

Module description

This module focuses on the theory and practice of cognitive and behavioral therapy (CBT), providing students with an in-depth understanding of its foundational principles and therapeutic techniques. It covers core CBT concepts, including cognitive restructuring, behavioral interventions, and the role of thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and the body in mental health. You will explore how CBT is used to treat various psychological conditions, with an emphasis on evidence-based approaches. The module includes practical skills such as developing CBT case formulations and applying CBT techniques to real-world clinical scenarios. Through exposure to gold-standard CBT models and third-wave CBT therapies, you will gain the tools necessary to facilitate change and improve mental health outcomes.

Module aims - intentions of the module

 The course aims to equip you with a solid understanding of cognitive-behavioral models, concepts, and methods while fostering insight into key issues related to the theory and practice of CBT. This includes examining the relationship between CBT theory and practice, its application across diverse client groups and disorders, and research on treatment outcomes and processes. You will develop competence in essential CBT skills, including building a therapeutic alliance, developing CBT case formulations, designing and implementing individualised treatment plans, and evaluating treatment effectiveness. Additionally, the course introduces third-wave CBT therapies, such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Schema Therapy, and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). These approaches build upon traditional CBT by integrating mindfulness, acceptance, and emotion regulation techniques to enhance treatment outcomes. You will explore how third-wave therapies expand the gold-standard CBT framework, offering a more holistic and flexible approach to addressing complex and chronic psychological issues.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Critically evaluate clinical knowledge related to the causes, persistence, and treatment of mental health disorders, with a specific focus on anxiety disorders and psychological trauma.
• 2. Examine the impact of psychotrauma beyond PTSD, including adverse childhood experiences, moral injury, ambiguous loss, and continuous traumatic stress.
• 3. Critically evaluate CBT techniques used to treat anxiety disorders, PTSD, and related mental health symptoms.

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 4. Critically evaluate research and methodological approaches used in clinical studies on anxiety disorders and psychological trauma.
• 5. Review and analyse published research at an advanced level, identifying its strengths and limitations, synthesizing key findings, and considering implications for clinical practice and future research.
• 6. Systematically address complex issues in eating disorder research, demonstrating critical, creative, and independent thinking while integrating theoretical perspectives, empirical evidence, and methodological considerations to advance understanding and treatment approaches.

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 7. Collaborate effectively in team-based learning environments, demonstrating strong communication and teamwork skills.
• 8. Think critically and solve clinical problems through analysing clinical cases with comorbidities, evaluating different perspectives, and developing creative solutions in team work.
• 9. Articulate self-evaluation criteria, critically assess established perspectives, reflect on personal and team actions, and actively seek and apply constructive individual and team feedback.
• 10. Select, analyse, and manage information efficiently, demonstrating the ability to complete study tasks independently and in team with minimal guidance.
• 11. Utilise time management strategies effectively to meet deadlines and balance academic responsibilities.

Syllabus plan

The module incorporates lectures with elements of a collaborative learning approach known as Team-Based Learning (TBL). TBL has been recognized as an effective student-centered methodology that enhances learning experiences in higher education (Bishop et al., 2014). This form of active collaborative learning engages students in “doing things and thinking about the things they are doing” (Berkson et al., 2020; Richter et al., 2022).

TBL fosters the development of employability skills and competencies essential for navigating the 21st-century global economy (World Economic Forum, 2024). The module applies various TBL techniques, including flipped learning (pre-class reading materials will be provided in advance to maximise in-class engagement); i-RAT and t-RAT (individual and team readiness assurance tests that track students’knowledge development throughout the program); team-based problem-solving tasks (students will work on clinical cases involving PTSD and trauma-related mental health symptoms); intra- and inter-team discussions (students will engage in collaborative discussions on CBT case formulations and the application of CBT techniques).

MODULE TOPICS

• Introduction to Anxiety Disorders.
• Introduction to Psychotrauma and Post-Traumatic Stress.
• Integration and Differentiation: Comparison of CBT Case Formulations for Anxiety Disorders and PTSD.
• Clinical Psychological Cases Associated with Psychotrauma Beyond PTSD (trauma-related depression, generalised anxiety, moral injury, ambiguous loss, continuous traumatic stress).
• CBT Treatment Plans for Anxiety Disorders.
• Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT).
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) in the Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress.
• Schema Therapy for PTSD and Associated Mental Health Symptoms.
• TF-CBT for Trauma and Complicated Grief in Children and Adolescents.
• Prevention Strategies Using Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT).
• Advances in TF-CBT and Neuroscience.

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Two assessments are required for this module. Where you have been referred/deferred in the examination you will have the opportunity to take a second examination in the re-assessment period (July/August). Where you have been deferred in the case study you will be required to resubmit the case study. Deferred marks are not capped. If you are successful on your referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Most of the research discussed will be drawn from journal papers. The following books will be good background reading:

• Beck, J. S. (2005). Cognitive Therapy for Challenging Problems: What to do when the basics don't work. Guilford Press.
• Beck, J. S. (2020). Cognitive Behavior therapy: Basics and Beyond. Guilford Publications.
• Rakovshik, S. (2019). An Introduction to CBT Research.
• Westbrook, D., Kennerley, H., & Kirk, J. (2011). An Introduction to Cognitive Behaviour Therapy: Skills and Applications. Sage.

Key words search

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, cognitive restructuring, behavioral interventions, mental health, evidence-based approach, anxiety disorders, PTSD, trauma-related symptoms.