Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a short-term, goal-oriented form of psychotherapy that helps patients correct inaccurate, negative thought patterns. These negative thought patterns are believed to cause or contribute to relationship problems, low self-esteem and mental health disorders like depression or anxiety. Cognitive behavioral therapists are mental health professionals with a minimum of a master's degree and specialized training in CBT.
Earning a bachelor's degree is the first step toward becoming a cognitive behavioral therapist. Your degree doesn't necessarily need to be in a mental health-related field, but studying a field such as psychology or social work can provide you with a strong foundation and basic education about the workings of the mind, psychological dysfunction and mental health disorders. You should try to take coursework in cognitive and behavioral psychology. This might include courses on memory, learning and interpersonal psychology. While a mental health degree might improve your chances of getting in to the graduate program of your choice, some graduate schools also admit students with well-rounded, liberal arts backgrounds.
Graduate Education and License
Aspiring cognitive-behavioral therapists must have a minimum of a master's degree in a mental health or medical-related field, according to the Beck Institute, which was founded by the father of cognitive therapy, Aaron Beck. You should obtain a master's or doctoral degree in a field such as social work, psychology, counseling or psychiatry from a school that has regional accreditation, advises the National Association of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapists (NACBT). After you have obtained at least a master's degree, you should apply for state licensure. There is no licensing body for cognitive behavioral therapists, but most certifying institutes require you to hold a state license in your field of practice.
Before you can apply to a training program in cognitive behavioral therapy, most institutes require you to have a certain number of years of supervised experience providing cognitive therapy. The exact experience requirements vary by certifying institution. For example, the NACBT requires prospective candidates for the certified cognitive behavioral therapist credential to have at least six years of post-master's experience providing cognitive behavioral therapy. This is the basic level of certification offered by this institute. Most advanced practitioners who have at least ten years of experience may be eligible for the Diplomate in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. The Academy of Cognitive Therapy (ACT) requires a minimum of one year of clinical experience providing cognitive therapy to at least 10 patients.
Cognitive behavioral therapists also need specialized training in cognitive behavioral therapy before they are eligible to apply for certification. There are several training courses approved by the NACBT, including the primary certificate in rational-emotive therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy provided by the Albert Ellis Institute. The ACT requires a minimum of 40 hours of specific education on cognitive therapy. Training programs offered by reputable, recognized cognitive behavioral institutes are intensive programs, usually in the form of weekend workshops, which provide advanced training on cognitive therapy techniques and specific CBT exercises in the treatment of mental health disorders.
- MayoClinic.com: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Definition
- Michigan State University: Psychology Course Information
- Beck Institute: CBT Training Questions: Who is Eligible to Apply for a Beck Institute Workshop?
- National Association of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapists: Certification
- Academy of Cognitive Therapy: Certification in Cognitive Therapy
- Albert Ellis Institute: 3-Day Primary Certificate Practicum in REBT/CBT
- Beck Institute: Cognitive Behavior Therapy Workshops
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