A marriage counselor may specialize in cognitive behavioral therapy.
A mental health professional can become a cognitive behavioral therapist through training and practice, by taking classes that offer certification, or by applying to one of the many certification agencies. The path to certification in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) varies by region and agency, and there is more than one way to achieve this goal. No certification of any kind, other than a license to practice therapy, is required to use CBT with individuals or groups. It is strongly recommended that anyone wishing to use CBT have sufficient training and practice in this form of therapy.
Empathy is important for people interested in being therapists.
The basic requirement to become a cognitive behavioral therapist is a license to practice therapy. Licensed professional psychiatrists, psychologists, and counselors meet this requirement. Licensed marriage and family therapists and clinical social workers may also specialize in CBT. If possible, any of these professionals should take CBT classes while in school and have the opportunity to use CBT in supervised practice.
Some cognitive behavioral therapists focus on group therapy.
University training provides a solid foundation for using CBT once a person is licensed. Occasionally, graduate-level training may lead to provisional certification in CBT. The British Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Psychotherapies follows this model.
Not everyone has a lot of practice at the graduate or internship level. Fortunately, there are several graduate seminar and continuing education unit opportunities that will give people who are already licensed the skills they need to become cognitive behavioral therapists. Some of these programs lead to certification.
There are opportunities for seminars and continuing education units that can give people the skills they need to become a cognitive behavioral therapist.
There are no requirements, other than license and competency, when it comes to practicing cognitive behavioral therapy on a professional level. Many professionals are content to be competent and work skillfully in this mode with clients. Some professionals wish to become cognitive behavioral therapists to demonstrate their competence to clients, align with specific therapeutic techniques, and/or join a professional group of CBT therapists. No matter the reason for certification, professionals may have a variety of options.
There are numerous graduate seminar and continuing education unit opportunities that will give people who are already licensed the skills they need to become a cognitive behavioral therapist.
CBT classes are one way to become a certified cognitive behavioral therapist. Another method is to apply to professional agencies that offer certification. For example, in the United States, people can become certified by the National Association of Cognitive Behavioral Therapists (NACBT) or the Academy of Cognitive Therapy (ACT).
Applications to certification agencies can be quite expensive and may require letters of recommendation from colleagues. Certification to become a cognitive behavioral therapist may also depend on a few years of experience and demonstrating CBT skills with case reviews or videotapes. There are different types of certification, and the specific type may depend on the professional’s area of expertise, such as in group therapy versus individual therapy.
Any professional should carefully review the certification agencies. The benefit of certification from any of the professional organizations depends on its reputation. The best agencies should include members who are recognized in the CBT field as experts.