Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Cognitive behavioural therapy, known as CBT, is one of the most widely practised and evidence-based forms of psychological therapy in the world. It rests on a fundamental insight: that the way we interpret and think about events shapes how we feel and behave, and that by learning to identify and challenge unhelpful patterns of thought, people can significantly improve their psychological wellbeing. CBT has a strong evidence base for treating depression, anxiety disorders, phobias, post-traumatic stress, and a range of other conditions, and it is a central part of how talking therapies are delivered within the NHS and private practice.

At the University of Portsmouth this two-year full-time programme prepares you for practice in CBT, developing both the theoretical understanding and the clinical skills needed to work therapeutically with clients. You will study the cognitive and behavioural models that underpin the approach, learning how to assess clients, formulate their difficulties, and deliver structured interventions. You will explore the research evidence base for CBT and develop the reflective practice and ethical awareness that professional therapeutic work demands.

The course includes a year abroad, broadening your perspective on how CBT and psychological therapies are delivered and understood in different healthcare systems and cultural contexts.

Graduates from this programme are equipped to work in mental health services, private practice, employee assistance programmes, and community settings. The field is growing as demand for psychological therapies continues to increase across the UK and internationally. Some graduates go on to further clinical training or postgraduate study in clinical psychology, counselling, psychotherapy, or related fields, building on the therapeutic skills and theoretical grounding developed during the degree.