Entry requirements
The course Cognitive Behavioural Interventions is only open to Master students of the specialisations Clinical Psychology and Health and Medical Psychology, and research master’s students of the track Clinical and Health Psychology having completed the MSc course Basic Therapeutic Skills.
Description
This course consists of a theoretical and a practical part, which will be offered simultaneously. The theoretical part consists of lectures on general aspects of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and specific interventions for different forms of psychopathology and psychological consequences of chronic disease.
The practical part consists of work group sessions. Each week there is a supervised and an unsupervised work group. In the supervised work groups, students will be taught when and how to apply basic cognitive-behavioural intervention techniques, such as case formulation, exposure, response prevention, and identifying, challenging and modifying negative thoughts and behaviours. During the unsupervised work groups, students conduct a mini therapy with a fellow student. Developments taking place during this mini therapy are recorded in weekly reports and are discussed during supervision.
Course objectives
Students will:
Acquire advanced knowledge of the theoretical background of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and specific interventions for different forms of psychological problems.
Acquire a thorough understanding of the main cognitive-behavioural intervention techniques.
Reflect on their therapeutic attitude and interventions and report on the progress and outcome of a mini-therapy.
Acquire and practice skills allowing them to apply evidence-based cognitive-behavioural interventions in a professional clinical psychology, health and/or medical psychology setting.
The course objectives will be covered by using different working methods: lectures, workgroups, mini therapy sessions, weekly reports, and supervision. The course objectives will be assessed by a written exam (objectives 1 and 2) and by writing a final report reflecting on content and process of the mini therapy (objectives 3 and 4).
Timetable
For the timetables of your lectures, work groups and exams, please select your study programme in: Psychology timetables
Semester 1: Lectures Workgroups
Semester 2: Lectures Workgroups
Registration
Course
Students need to enroll for lectures and work group sessions. Master’s course registration
Examination
Students are not automatically enrolled for an examination. They can register via uSis from 100 to 10 calendar days before the date. Students who are not registered will not be permitted to take the examination. Registering for exams
Mode of instruction
4 2-hour lectures
7 3-hour supervised work group sessions
7 2-hour (unsupervised) work group sessions
Attendance is mandatory for all work group sessions.
Assessment method
The final grade is based on a grade for the written exam (50%) and a grade for the work group (50%).
The written exam consists of 6 open questions in English. The questions have to be answered in English.
The work group grade will be determined on the basis of the final report on the mini therapy, the quality of the weekly mini therapy reports, and active participation during work groups.
Students need to have both a sufficient exam grade and a sufficient work group grade to pass the course.
The date and location of the post exam consultation will be posted on blackboard (BB). In order to be able to attend this post exam consultation, an appointment needs to be made. Post-exam consultation will be possible only on the designated date and at the designated time.
Study material for the exam:
Chapter 1 of the Wright, Basco, & Thase (2006) book;
Chapter 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 13 & 14 of the O’Donohue & Fisher (2012) book;
The lecture slides posted on BB;
Additional literature posted with the lectures on BB.
Study material for the work groups:
Wright, J.H., Brown, G.K., Thase, M.E., & Basco, M.R. (2017). Learning cognitive-behavior therapy: an illustrated guide. American Psychiatric Association Publishing.
The Institute of Psychology follows the policy of the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences to systematically check student papers for plagiarism with the help of software. Disciplinary measures will be taken when fraud is detected. Students are expected to be familiar with and understand the implications of this fraud policy.
Reading list
For the lectures:
O’Donohue,W.T. and Fisher, J.E. (2012). Cognitive Behavior Therapy: Core Principles for Practice. Publisher: Wiley & sons, Inc. (selected chapters).
For the work group sessions:
Wright, J.H., Brown, G.K., Thase, M.E., & Basco, M.R. (2017). Learning cognitive-behavior therapy: an illustrated guide. American Psychiatric Association Publishing.
Contact information
Dr. Nadia Garnefski (course coordinator for specialisation Clinical Psychology) garnefski@fsw.leidenuniv.nl
Dr. Véronique De Gucht (course coordinator for specialisation Health and Medical Psychology) degucht@fsw.leidenuniv.nl