Module: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Module Code	PST1004 (ITS: NS584)
Faculty	Nursing, PsyT & Comm Health	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	5

Description

This module will enable the student to undertake an in-depth study and critical review of Cognitive- Behaviour Therapy (CBT). They will gain an understanding of core cognitive and behavioural principles and approaches as they have developed. The student will be introduced to the changing nature of the therapeutic process at each stage of therapy from initial engagement to the end of therapy. Over the course of the module it is anticipated that the student will gain an in-depth understanding of the centrality of the therapeutic alliance/relationship, develop relevant personal qualities, address and develop competence in client assessment procedures, case formulation, the application of core skills and techniques of CBT, and evaluating treatment outcomes and finally consider ethical issues as they arise in CBT. Students are expected to engage with required reading and classes, seminars, on line course work and tutorials.

Learning Outcomes

1. Understand the central tenets and rationale of CBT and discern the strengths and deficits of this approach
2. Examination of the qualities of a therapeutic environment or climate consistent with a CBT psychotherapeutic approach
3. Examine the preparation required for the beginning, middle and ending phases of therapy
4. Review and elaboration of CBT therapy micro- and macro skills and consider the practical considerations in relation to contracting, note taking, tape-recording, confidentiality and risk-assessment
5. Consider of the nature and role of assessment in CBT
6. Conduct the initial interview / first session
7. Develop understaing of case conceptualisation from a CBT perspective and the importance of behavioural and cognitive change strategies
8. Examine CBT practice with the aim of developing a mode of practice that is critically aware of oppression, empowerment and anti discriminatory practice
9. Discuss and debate ethical issues in relation to the practice of CBT.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	18	Lectures, discussion and seminar groups
Clinical laboratory	8	CBT Skills practice
Independent Study	99	student self directed work
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	11335	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Stephanie swales	Module Teacher	Gemma Kiernan

Section Breakdown
CRN	21304	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Stephanie swales	Module Teacher	Gemma Kiernan

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Group presentation	In class group presentation related to an assigned as of the CBT and its implementation within an intergrative psychotherapeutic context.	20%	Other
Essay	Written Assignment- Critical description of the central tenets and rationale for CBT. (2,500 words)	80%	Sem 1 End

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
Reviewing Theory, Practice and Research

Preparing for each phase of therapy
Beginning, middle and ending phases of therapy

CBT Skills
CBT micro- and macro skills

CBT Therapeutic Environment
Qualities of a therapeutic environment or climate consistent with a psychotherapeutic approach

Assessment
CBT Assessment procedures

Commencing CBT practice
Initial interviewing & Conducting a first session

Core CBT competences
Contracting, note taking, tape-recording, confidentiality and risk-assessment

Case conceptualisation
Case conceptualisation from a CBT perspective

Ethical issues .
Responding to ethical issues in relation to the practice of CBT.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Bennett-Levy, J (Editor): 2004, Oxford Guide to Behavioural Experiments in Cognitive Therapy, 1st, Oxford University Press, Oxford, England,
Richard House (Editor), Del Loewenthal (Editor): 0, Against and for CBT, 1st, PCCS Books, London, 320, 1906254109
Branch, R. Willson, B.: 2010, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy For Dummies, 2010, John Wiley & Son, London, 384, 9780470665411
Kinsella, P., Garland, A.: 2008, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Mental Health Workers: A Beginnerâ€™s Guide., Routledge., London,
Michael J. Scott: 2009, Simply effective cognitive behaviour therapy, Routledge, London, 0415466768
Simmons, J., Conlon, R.: 2009, CBT for Beginners, Sage Publications Ltd, London, 240, 1412948061
Judith S. Beck Phd, Aaron T. Beck MD (Foreword): 2007, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Second Edition, 2nd, The Guilford Press, London, 391, 9781609185046
Beck, A.T., Emery, G. & Greenberger, R.L.: 1985, Anxiety Disorders and Phobias: A Cognitive Perspective., Guilford Press, New York,
Beck, A.T., Rush, A.J., Shaw, B.J, & Emery, G: 1976, Cognitive Therapy of Depression., Guilford Press, New York,
edited by Michael Bruch and Frank W. Bond; foreword by Ira Turkat: 1998, Beyond diagnosis, Wiley, Chichester, 9780471982227
Gilbert, P. & Leahy, R.L.: 2007, The Therapeutic Relationship in the Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapies, Routledge, New York,
Alec Grant, Michael Townend, Jem Mills, Adrian Cockx: 2009, Assessment and Case Formulation in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Sage Publications Ltd, London, 256, 9781412935074
Padesky, A; Greenberger,D: 1995, Mind over Mood - Clinicianâ€™s Guide., Guilford Press, New York,
Greenberger, D; Padesky, A: 1995, Mind over Mood - Change How you feel by Changing the way you Think, Guilford Press, New York,
Hawton, K., Salkovskis, P.M., Kirk, J., & Clark, D. M.: 1989, Cognitive behaviour therapy for psychiatric problems: A practical guide., Oxford University Press., Oxford,
Westbrook, D., Kennerly, H., Kirk, J.: 2007, An Introduction to Cognitive Behaviour Therapy Skills and Applications, Sage, London,
Jesse H. Wright, Monica R. Basco, Michael E. Thase: 2006, Learning cognitive-behavior therapy, American Psychiatric Pub., Washington, DC, 1585621536

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None