Certificate in
Cognitive Self-Therapy

a complete programme of practical psychotherapy for positive change

Distance Learning Course Details

   College accreditation: International Association for Distance Learning.
   Course accredited by Institute for Meridian Psychotherapy for professional development purposes.

Total recommended period of study: approx. 3 months or less. Continuous enrolment. No time limit.

Cost: £125.00  (125 Pounds Sterling - for currency conversion see www.xe.com )

(A FREE textbook will be sent to UK students. Non-UK students will normally have to purchase the book on-line from an internet bookstore.)

Method of study: 

Study will be carried out by reading the textbook, self-reflection on one’s own issues, doing the exercises in the textbook and submitting written assignments – these can be sent by e-mail. 

Course description and syllabus

Students are introduced to the theory of cognitive analytic self-help methods and theory, as a basis for working on their own areas of concern.

Students will learn how blocks to change are rooted in the past. Our early relationships often contained problems that we responded to as best we could by interpreting the negative patterns as rules that governed how life works.  Those inner rules (which we may not be conscious of at first) later became firm attitudes or beliefs about what we can expect from life, how people will relate to us and how we judge ourselves. Inner rules or self-beliefs also govern our feelings and parts of our behaviour.

Identifying these thought and belief patterns, and challenging them, can lead to change. Along the way we learn about our unexpressed feelings, dilemmas, and psychological traps that prevent us from being how we would like to be.

The techniques and approaches of in this course are drawn from psychoanalysis, Kelly’s personal construct theory, cognitive-behavioural approaches, developmental and cognitive psychology and artificial intelligence, resulting in a set of powerful methods for personal change through understanding and self-observation. Many techniques can be used including exploring our dreams and writing our life story. 

The programme is enhanced by including mindfulness and meditation exercises that help us to be in the here and now and to observe our patterns and reactions.

This work will also give the student grounding in exploratory therapeutic techniques which can complement other skills in helping others.

Feedback will be given by the tutor (who is an accredited counsellor) and all material submitted will be treated in strictest confidence.

Entry Criteria:  Open entry.

Suitability: This course is offered for professional development purposes or for personal interest.

There is no particular qualification required to take this course, but students should have very good written English.

This course is NOT a substitute for counselling or psychotherapy, and people with psychological problems should seek appropriate treatment with a counsellor or psychotherapist.  People with medical problems should consult their medical practitioner.

This course is NOT suitable for people with severe psychological or psychiatric problems.

Since the coursework involves looking at one’s personal history and emotional issues, students need to be prepared for relevant feelings to arise, and the techniques learned will help to increase self-understanding and coping skills. 

Qualification

Successful graduates will receive the Certificate in Cognitive Self-Therapy awarded by UK College of Holistic Training which is a private UK qualification. The college is accredited by the International Association for Distance Learning.

The course is approved by The Institute for Meridian Psychotherapy (which is linked to UKCHT) as a professional development course (see societies page for explanation).

This course is accepted by Calamus International University (a non-UK, private distance university with private accreditation) for credit towards a degree.

Please see our FAQs page for general information about practising counselling and psychotherapy in the UK and elsewhere.

We reserve the right to change the syllabus and other details of any course at any time.

To apply for this course now, go to our Application page