1. Length of training

1.1 Training in behavioural and cognitive therapy will not normally be less than five years.

2. Theoretical and skills training

2.1 The period of training will include the acquisition of a critical understanding of the relevance of studies of human development, psychopathology, psychology, social issues and evidence based practice.

2.2 Specialist courses in a particular model of cognitive and/or behaviour therapy, or in a specialist area of its application may focus on a specific area of interest. However, all therapists will have covered a minimum curriculum that will provide a broad-based understanding of the theoretical basis of cognitive and/or behaviour therapies and their application across a range of problem areas.

2.3 Theoretical knowledge and skills will have been acquired through structured teaching and self-directed study. The minimum number of hours study required for the cognitive and behavioural elements of training is 450 hours of which 200 hours should be provided directly by recognised trainers through a recognised course or other programme of study.

2.4 Skills training is an essential component of the aquisition of knoledge and experience and will be developed through supervised clinical practice, skills-based workshops, observation and clinical practice. Skills training should not be less than 50% of a therapist’s total training programme.

2.5 Therapists should achieve the skills to be able to understand and interpret research relevant to the outcome and effectiveness of cognitive and/or behaviour therapy.

3. Supervised clinical practice

3.1 Therapists will have conducted 200 hours of supervised assessment and therapy during training in addition to that specified in 2.4 above.

3.2 All therapists will have received supervision during the period of training for both assessment and therapy, carried out by a cognitive and behaviour therapist who meets the RABCT criteria for accreditation. Supervision will consist of regular feedback and discussion. Close supervision will involve the use of live, audio or video materials in supervision.

3.3 A minimum of 8 clients will be treated during the period of training from assessment to completion or termination of treatment before a therapist is regarded as having completed their training. These cases will cover at least 3 types of problems and three cases will have been closely supervised as defined above.

3.4 Details of supervised clinical practice and case mix will be recorded in a training record.

4. Personal development

4.1 Therapists must ensure that they can identify and manage appropriately their personal involvement in the process of cognitive and/or behaviour therapy.

4.2 Therapists must have developed an ability to recognise when they should seek other professional advice.

5. Assessing minimum training standards

5.1 Therapists are expected to demonstrate an understanding of the theoretical aspects of cognitive and/or behavioural therapy and its application by the production of a formal assessment essay, exam or research project.

5.2 An understanding of evidenced based practice should be evaluated by (a) the production of an extended case report that critically discusses the research evidence or (b) a relevant research dissertation; or (c) a research paper they have contributed to published in a peer review journal.

5.3 Supervised practice will be subjected to a final paper with three case studies written up (2000 – 4000 words).

5.4 A record of training must be kept and this should specify the length of study, number of taught hours and a record of the lecturers, tutors or mentors participating in a therapists training.