Training Standards in Georgian Association of Cognitive-Behavior Therapy
Introduction
Georgian Association of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (GACBT) performs postgraduate education in CBT. The association was founded in June 9, 2010. The aim of GACBT is to develop and promote professional cognitive-behavior therapy education in Georgia, since the special learning program has not been exist till now in Georgia. By the GACBT professionals has been elaborated CBT training program that has to meet necessary criteria recommended by EABCT.
Length of training course is 5 years minimum (main professional training + CBT training).
Theoretical and Skills Training & Competences is 450 hrs minimum (of which 200 hrs provided directly by recognized cognitive and/or behavior therapy trainers on a recognized course or an agreed program of study within the member association or country).
Supervised Clinical Practice is 200 hrs minimum, live, audio, video materials in at least 3 cases; (At least 8 clients, at least 3 types of problems).
Course Aims/outcome
The main aim of the program is to offer a comprehensive introduction to the fundamental principles and practices of CBT, focusing in particular on its use in treating common mental health problems. The program will cover cognitive-behavioral theory and development, assessment and formulation within a CBT framework and core therapeutic skills (including relationship skills); besides the extended knowledge in some psychological theories and general issues of clinical psychiatry (relating to cognitive and behavioral therapy practice). The program will extend students’ understanding of CBT principles and practices by considering CBT interventions for specific focal problems (depression, panic, obsessive-compulsive disorder, social anxiety, generalized anxiety, health anxiety, psychotic disorders). The training will be skills-based thus giving participants the opportunity to practice techniques relating to these specific disorders. The program is designed to support students in further developing CBT competencies through closely supervised practice. Teaching and clinical supervision will be-provided by the accredited EABCT experts.
At the end of the course the students will develop:
A conceptual understanding of CBT principles and its application to clinical practice;
Knowledge on the CBT models for some psychiatric disorders.
In addition the students will be able to:
Establish and sustain collaborative working alliance with the clients;
Design and implement basic CBT treatment plans/interventions for clients with some psychiatric disorders under clinical supervision.
Course participants/selection criteria
The program is predetermined for at the utmost 20-30 applicants who must satisfy the entry requirements.
The applicants have to meet one of the following criteria:
Be a graduate or have successfully completed a professional training in a related field such as mental health, social care or counseling (e.g. nursing, occupational therapy, social work, psychiatry, psychology and counseling). Preferably, applicants to have one year post qualification experience.
Applicants from those who do not have a professional qualification will be considered, if they have an honors degree in a relevant subject (e.g. psychology, health, social sciences), have completed a basic course in counseling, preferably two year’s post degree work experience (e.g. in mental health or social care services) which should include relevant continuing professional development experiences gained as part of this work experience.
In addition to the above entry requirements all successful applicants must:
Be “psychologically minded”, i.e. used to working within the framework of psychological explanations of behavior and using psychological treatment methods to achieve change;
Be able to demonstrate proficiency in English and/or Russian language to the, at least upper-Intermediate level;
Have access to a PC and the Internet;
Have access to treatment settings where cognitive-behavioral therapy skills can be practiced and refined on a regular and systematic basis;
Be able to obtain time, money and management support for the course.
Exceptions to these criteria are at the discretion of the course organizers.
Application process
All applications must be accompanied by the following compulsory materials:
1. Two academic references
2. Transcript(s) of previous higher education
3. CV
4. A five hundred word statement of purpose
