Course details

Cognitive therapy is a collaborative, structured approach to helping individuals with psychological difficulties. It views key beliefs and assumptions which an individual holds as being pivotal to maintaining their distress and rendering them vulnerable to recurring difficulties. The course offers post-qualification training in the theory and practice of cognitive psychotherapy, as applied in a variety of mental health settings. Competence is developed through a combination of weekly clinical supervision, lectures, workshops and written assignments. Assessment is based on the submission of case studies and theoretical reviews, oral presentations and standardised rating of therapy sessions. Prospective candidates may pursue the option of a postgraduate diploma course in cognitive therapy. Emphasis will be on helping participants gain clinical competence in utilising this approach in hospital-based and community-based health care settings. The course substantially contributes to academic and theoretical requirements for accreditation as a cognitive therapist and provides the opportunity to engage in introductory supervised clinical casework. Students would be required to complete further supervised clinical work to meet the clinical requirements for accreditation.

The diploma course introduces the student to the basic theory of cognitive therapy and customised applications of this model to a range of clinical syndromes. The curriculum emphasises a knowledge of cognitive behavioural models, concepts and methods; competence in developing cognitive case formulations; devising and implementing individuals treatment programmes for a range of emotional disorders, and evaluating their effects; understanding the links between cognitive therapy and developmental and cognitive psychology; ethics issues in practising psychotherapy.

Students are supervised treating a minimum of three cases , and are taught the use of Cognitive Psychotherapy in relation to a variety of different areas and disorders. Teaching takes place one full day per week (Friday) during academic term. Assessment is based on evaluation of the student's clinical performance using the Cognitive Therapy Scale - Revised and four written assignments.

Updated on 08 November, 2015

About Trinity College Dublin

Trinity is recognised as one of the world's leading research-intensive universities and its research continues to address issues of global societal and economic importance. The University's research strategy is based on developing multidisciplinary areas in which the College has the critical mass of world-class researchers needed to deliver research of global consequence.

Among the priority research themes being addressed by Trinity researchers are ageing, nanoscience and materials, telecommunications, neuroscience, human identity, cancer, international integration, arts practice, and the inclusive society. These are topics that not only address issues of immediate and long-term concern to society but offer opportunities for future economic development. The University's commitment to a research-led education means that our students are exposed to leaders in their discipline, to the latest knowledge and ideas, and to an education that emphasises analytical skills and creative thinking, and gives students an opportunity to develop a broad range of skills by engaging in personal research.

This excellence in research underpins Trinity's Innovation and Entrepreneurship strategy. Research is central to the generation of the new disruptive ideas that will underpin future sustainable businesses. The knowledge created by Trinity is critical for the economic development of Ireland as it is for the education on offer to our students.

Trinity's research themes are supported by a set of research institutes that provide the infrastructure needed to support multi-disciplinary research as well as engagement with enterprise and social partners working in partnership with Trinity's twenty-four schools.

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