CBT with Children and Adolescents Course

Blended Learning Programme

Apply cognitive behavioural approaches when working with young people.

This specialist certificate explores how CBT techniques can be adapted to support children and adolescents experiencing emotional and behavioural difficulties. Participants learn developmentally appropriate strategies for helping young clients understand and manage thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. The course supports practitioners in integrating CBT tools into therapeutic work with younger populations.

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Programme Type: QQI L9 Certificate
Next Intakes: TBC

NFQ: Level 9
ECTS: 10

Academic Validation: QQI

Professional Accreditation: N/A

Overview

Introduction

The QQI Level 9 Certificate in CBT with Children & Adolescents is designed for professionals working in the helping professions who wish to integrate CBT into their practice. This 10-credit program allows graduates to apply fresh knowledge and skills in their current roles. It is academically validated and ideal for those seeking to enhance their professional competencies in CBT. The course is not large enough in credit volume to meet the threshold for professional body recognition, but it is suitable for those looking to bring fresh knowledge and skills to their current work. 

Who Should Apply

This course will be of interest to those who are working in a supportive capacity with children and adolescents i.e. counsellors, psychotherapists, social workers, social care workers, keyworkers, mental health nurses, guidance counsellors, SNAs, teachers etc.

  • Applicants are required to evidence attainment of a minimum of Level 8 in counselling and/or psychotherapy or a minimum of a Level 8 Degree in cognate discipline, or equivalent.
  • Applicants are required to be able to demonstrate relevant experience in working with people in a responsible and caring role.
  • Applicants must be in a work setting or role which will provide them with opportunities to implement their learning from this module, such as paid or voluntary work with children within the helping professions, counselling support services, psychological settings, social care settings and /or project / youth /community work.
  • This is a 10 credit programme, and allows graduates to integrate CBT into their professional context. This is an academically validated certificate, it is not large enough in credit volume to meet the threshold for professional body recognition. It is ideal for those who are working in the helping professions, and who want to bring fresh knowledge and skills to their current work. If you are seeking a professional training in counselling and psychotherapy, please contact us directly.
Entry Routes

This is for accredited therapists or those who are able to implement the learning of the course in a workplace or volunteer setting

Minimum Technological Requirements

For the blended learning programme, you will need to have:

  • Appropriate broadband to be able to upload and download;
  • A desktop computer or laptop that is capable of using zoom;
  • A webcam and microphone;
  • A web browser;
  • Word processing package.

Why choose this Programme?

This programme offers a specialised and evidence-informed foundation in applying Cognitive Behavioural Therapy with children and adolescents. It combines contemporary CBT theory, developmentally sensitive practice, and practical intervention skills within a flexible blended learning format. Participants benefit from expert instruction, engagement with key literature, and opportunities for reflective application, enabling them to work confidently and competently with younger clients in a range of professional settings.

Course Structure

Overview

In this module, learners will engage in formal didactic lectures, skills practice, group discussion, reflective exercises and experiential exercises related to the following:
(a) The historical development of CBT (Ellis & Beck);
(b) Theoretical Underpinnings – Ellis;
(c) Theoretical Underpinnings – Beck;
(d) Case Formulation in CBT;
(e) An exploration of the CBT model;
(f) The therapeutic process & alliance in CBT;
(g) Skills Development;
(h) The ABC Approach of REBT;
(i) Understanding Emotion from a CBT Perspective;
(j) Identifying and challenging Irrational Beliefs;
(k) Differentiating between Irrational Beliefs and Inferences;
(l) Supporting the development of rational beliefs;
(m) Facilitating Psychological Understanding of CBT Concepts with Children and Adolescents;
(n) Facilitating Acceptance and Coping;
(o) Facilitating Change: Behavioural Techniques;
(p) Facilitating Change: Cognitive Technique;
(q) Homework in CBT.
A key focus of the module will involve consideration of the application of CBT theory and practice with children and adolescents, taking their developmental context into consideration.

Dates

TBC

Delivery

The Certificate in CBT with Children & Adolescents is delivered using blended learning. This consists of a rotational module, where learners attend onsite classes and online classes. We do not utilise hybrid approaches, therefore onsite classes are integral to the programme.

Student Benefits & Support

We hold that it is not enough to simply teach the skills of counselling and psychotherapy. Learners are given the space to learn, practice and be supported as they develop for themselves a style and model of counselling which is both personal and effective.

Work Based Learning

Prior to commencing on the programme, learners must be working or volunteering in a setting where they are actively supporting children and/or adolescents. The programme requires that you evidence a minimum of 20 hours of practice where CBT is integrated into your professional practice, in your specific context. This must be supervised at a ratio of 1:5, so one supervision session should occur for every 5 hours of practice.

Assessment

Case Study Assignment (100% of Module Grade): Learners are required to submit a comprehensive case study of a case where CBT was used as an intervention. Learners will commence the assignment with a literature review that analyses the theoretical and clinical underpinnings to the CBT approach (this can include exploration of the efficacy of CBT with the presenting issue inherent in the case). A critical evaluation of CBT interventions in complex clinical settings should be included in the review. In the case study, learners will demonstrate ability to prepare a CBT based case formulation, and will showcase their ability to engage, using CBT, with a client. The case study should demonstrate appropriate integration and application of cognitive and behavioural interventions with a child or adolescent.

Validation and Accreditation of Award

This Certificate is awarded as a Minor Award at Level 9 on the NFQ and is validated by QQI.

Credits

10 ECTS

Protection for Enrolled Learners

This programme is covered by arrangements under section 65 (4) of the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012 whereby, in the event of IICP College ceasing to provide the programme for any reason, enrolled learners may transfer to a similar programme at another provider, or, in the event that this is not practicable, the fees most recently paid will be refunded. Current PEL arrangements consist of a 2% levy on course fees. IICP do not pass the cost of this on to learners.

Module Descriptors

CBT with Children & Adolescents: In this module, learners will engage in formal didactic lectures, skills practice, group discussion, reflective exercises and experiential exercises related to CBT with children and adolescents. This will include exploration of the theoretical and clinical underpinnings to CT and REBT, as well as consideration of case formulation. Learners will become familiar with the CBT model, the therapeutic process and alliance in CBT and will focus on developing skills to identify and challenge negative automatic thoughts and irrational beliefs. The module is designed to help learners to facilitate psychological understanding of CBT concepts with younger clients, and to facilitate change and acceptance with children and adolescents.

Course Fees

IICP understand that while partaking in further education is an incredibly rewarding experience it can also be a financial challenge for some students. In order to minimise the financial impact caused to students, IICP strive to keep our course fees as competitive as possible. We also provide payment plan options to facilitate learners paying the balance of their fees throughout the duration of their course.

Overall Programme Fees
  • Certificate Fee: €975.00 [Inclusive of €50 QQI Fee]
  • A deposit of €292.50 secures your place
Payment Options

(1) The balance is due on or before the first day of the course

DepositBalance of FeesTotal
€292.50 On acceptance of offer€682.50€975

(2) Learners can also opt to sign up to our direct debit scheme if they wish to pay in instalments. Please note, the Direct Debit Scheme incurs an administration fee of €100.00

  • Please Contact the IICP office to find out more!

Extra Costs

  • Except where stated, course fees cover tuition only. Learners on this programme must also complete 20 hours of practice work and, if not provided in their work context, learners will be required to engage an individual supervisor for this work. Supervision fees are negotiable between learners and individual supervisors.
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