How do you become a cognitive behavioural therapist?

Answer 1

You need to get your undergraduate degree and then either a Master's Degree in Psychology, Counseling, or Social Work or Doctorate in Psychology. Most graduate programs will offer training in CBT. However, there are several programs that you can attend to become a certified CBT therapist. There are many programs that you can attend to get certified. There is the Beck Institute. As you are probably aware, Aaron and Judith Beck are leaders in the area of cognitive therapy.
http://www.beckinstitute.org/FolderID/235/SessionID/{556248CA-BE40-46E9-8B67-BBD37FC43BE6}/PageVars/Library/InfoManage/Guide.htm

There is also the Albert Ellis Institute, with a focus on Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy.
http://www.rebt.org/3dayprimarycert.htm

Answer 2

Have a look at the BABCP website for accredited courses. Some prior training or experience is usually required but it's fairly broad. I'm planning to do the same thing. I'm going to get experience in the care sector, potentially get a counselling qualification or something similar first, or go directly onto a CBT course accredited by the BABCP, depending on what the admissions on the course i've chosen suggest. So once you've found the course in your area contact the people running it to get more advice.

As it's becoming a more popular choice for a range of mental health problems there are more and more initiatives to get people trained in as short a time as is feasible without lessening the quality of the therapy, so it will potentially be shorter than training in another area of therapy or counselling, but of course ongoing training is always advisable.

Answer 3

There are a number of professions for which one can train as a "therapist". It depends on whether or not use of the title "therapist" is regulated in your state or country. Although Psychology and Psychiatry are the major professions concerned with mental health and behavior, very often it is not necessary to complete a full doctoral program in order to aspire to the role of "therapist". Usually, Master's level training that would include sufficient theoretical training and practica in cognitive-behavior therapy and completion of a supervised internship would be the path to take towards such a career. Masters level training in a psychology or some social work programs would probably be able to provide the appropriate resources. While harder science such as biology, physiology, anatomy and such are likely to be required as an undergraduate only if you are heading for medical or doctoral psych training, if you are aiming more directly for the therapist role, I would expect you'd probably need some basic courses in statistics and social or psychological research and diagnostics so that you can be minimally equipped to evaluate the effectiveness of your therapy activities or methods you might attempt to employ.

Answer 4

First, you need your undergraduate degree, I would suggest in Psychology, and try to focus in clinical or counseling psych. During the latter half of your Junior year and the first half of your Senior year, start researching graduate schools that would be able to help you work towards your goal. I reccomend speaking to your college professors and utilizing them as a resourse for information, and your department office might have some useful information.

Answer 5

Become a councillor and then specialise in the Cognitive behavioral approach.

Answer 6

You can become one but an ex-school mate of mine did that and then chucked it in for a job with British Gas cos it was better paid and less hassle. Be careful what you wish for.

Answer 7

In the UK you need a Health or Social care qualifacation first, then lots of time, money and patients/patience!

Answer 8

you can get your master's degree in social work, and be trained in CBT. but for example, in the state of maryland, you can't practice until you have clinical licensure.

Answer 9

Lots of school. Lots of money.

Answer 10

you need to go to grad school for that