Cognitive and behavioural theories underpinning anxiety and depressive disorders, including disorder-specific and transdiagnostic models of emotional distress.
Phenomenology, diagnostic features, epidemiology, and psychological maintenance mechanisms across anxiety and depression presentations.
Predisposing, precipitating, and perpetuating factors influencing the development and course of anxiety and depressive disorders.
Critical appraisal of the empirical evidence base for cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), including evaluation of clinical trials, outcome studies, and methodological strengths and limitations.
Evidence-based and NICE-recommended CBT protocols for anxiety and depression, including application within stepped-care and recovery-oriented service models.
o Disorder-specific CBT formulations and interventions for:
o Panic Disorder
o Generalised Anxiety Disorder
o Social Anxiety Disorder
o Specific Phobias
o Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder
o Illness Anxiety Disorder
o Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
o Depression
o Body Dysmorphic Disorder
Comprehensive assessment and collaborative formulation of anxiety and depression using cognitive and behavioural frameworks, including identification of maintaining cycles.
Risk assessment and management, including suicide risk, self-harm, safeguarding considerations, and ethical clinical decision-making.
Development of CBT treatment process and intervention competencies, including formulation-driven intervention planning and implementation.
Core CBT processes and therapeutic techniques, including guided discovery, exposure-based methods, behavioural experiments, behavioural activation, cognitive restructuring, and attentional training.
Working with key cognitive and behavioural processes, including avoidance, safety behaviours, rumination.
Consideration of professional guidelines for therapists working with ego-distress and climate anxiety.

1) 60-minute clinical recording demonstrating skills in the application of CBT treatment intervention for depression. (Pass/Fail)

2) A self-rated CTS-R report is submitted with the clinical recording for depression.

3) Written case study of 4000 words, based on material from an evidenced treatment case in clinical practice (either closely or non-closely supervised), demonstrating knowledge of key principles of CBT treatment intervention for depression, including review and critical analysis of the empirical base for CBT for Depression.

4) 60-minute clinical recording demonstrating skills in the application of CBT treatment intervention for anxiety disorders. (Pass/Fail)

5) A self-rated CTS-R report is submitted with the clinical recording for anxiety.

6) Verbally presented case study of 30 minutes, based on material from an evidenced treatment case in clinical practice (either closely or non-closely supervised), demonstrating knowledge of key principles of CBT treatment intervention for an anxiety disorder.

1. Demonstrate critical awareness and application of professional, ethical, and regulatory requirements in the recording and submission for assessment of clients experiencing depression and anxiety for assessment, including confidentiality, informed consent, and data governance.

Application & Problem Solving
Digital Literacy

2. Demonstrate critical awareness and application of advanced CBT theories, models and evidence relating to depression and anxiety disorders to construct a rigorous, evidence-informed formulation and intervention plan.

Application & Problem Solving
Knowledge & Understanding

3. Critically evaluate your CBT competencies working with depression by applying research evidence and digital tools to analyse client responses, technique effectiveness, and the empirical and ethical rationale for chosen methods and therapeutic interventions.

Knowledge & Understanding
Research Skills

4. Critically evaluate your CBT competencies working with anxiety by applying research evidence and digital tools to analyse client responses, technique effectiveness, and the empirical and ethical rationale for chosen methods and therapeutic interventions.

Knowledge & Understanding
Research Skills

5. Communicate effectively to professional and academic audiences about contextual complexity, the integration of risk considerations and the justification for clinical decision-making within a coherent CBT treatment plan for clients with depression and anxiety.

Communication
Critical Reasoning & Collaboration

6. Critically reflect on your professional practice using a recognised reflective model and formulate evidence-informed recommendations to support future practice and ongoing professional and personal development.

Reflection
Personal Development & Entrepreneurship

Students will require personal IT facilities for learning.
Students will require a verified clinical placement with access to work as a trainee with adult service users experiencing common mental health problems.
Students will require weekly access to a clinical supervisor in the workplace, who is a BABCP Accredited Practitioner, offering individual supervision.
University library has a range of learning and teaching texts and journals, including an online reading list.
Content session resources are updated on a weekly basis, via Blackboard site.

Bennett-Levy, J., Butler, G., Fennell, M., Hackmann, A., Mueller, M., & Westbrook, D. (2004). Oxford guide to behavioural experiments in cognitive therapy. Oxford University Press.

Butler, G., Fennell, M., & Hackmann, A. (2008). Cognitive behavioural therapy for anxiety disorders: Mastering clinical challenges. Guilford Press.

Clark, D. A. (2019). Cognitive behavioural therapy for OCD and its subtypes. Guilford Press.

Persons, J.B., Davidson, J. & Tompkins, M.A. (2013). Essential Components of CBT for Depression. Washington: American Psychiatric Association.

How does CBT help people overcome depression and anxiety, and how can you learn to deliver it effectively?

In this module, you will explore how cognitive and behavioural theories explain both depression and anxiety, and how these frameworks inform contemporary CBT practice. You will develop the ability to assess, formulate, and deliver evidence-based CBT interventions for common mental health difficulties, while building core competencies in risk management, behavioural activation, cognitive change techniques, exposure-based strategies, and relapse prevention.

Through the application of theory to real clinical work, you will consolidate the professional knowledge and skills required for effective CBT practice and progression within psychological therapy roles.