SCOTACS Diploma in Counselling and Groupwork – a Cognitive Behavioural Approach

Course Level: Credit rated by SQA at SCQF Level 10 (Honours Degree Level)

Validated by COSCA

This course is offered either on a monthly basis (one full weekend per month) or on a weekly basis (one day each week).

About the Course

The SCOTACS Diploma in Counselling and Groupwork – a Cognitive Behavioural Approach is delivered over a period of two years, 40 weeks in each year, beginning in September and finishing in June. This includes an annual summer break during the months of July and August.

This course is a full professional training which enables our students to graduate as fully qualified Cognitive Behavioural Therapists at the end of the two years, having achieved all the specified training requirements for accreditation with COSCA, BACP and BABCP. A significant majority of all accredited Cognitive Behavioural Therapists working in Scotland are graduates of the Centre of Therapy & Counselling Studies.

To acquire requisite practical training standards, students must complete 100 hours of clinically supervised professional CBT practice during the course. These practice hours will be accumulated through placement with a recognised organisation within the field of counselling and psychotherapy. The 100 practice hours can be split between 80 hours of one-to-one work and 20 hours of groupwork or 70 hours of one-to-one work and 30 hours of groupwork.

To support students in their practice and ensure their continuing fitness to practice, they must receive regular professional clinical supervision. The cost of 30 hours clinical supervision is included within the course fees.

At the Centre of Therapy and Counselling Studies we continually evaluate research in psychotherapy and specifically CBT to ensure that our courses maintain currency and relevance to the needs of clients and employers.

The uniqueness of the SCOTACS Diploma in Counselling and Groupwork – a Cognitive Behavioural Approach is that not only will you graduate with the title of qualified Cognitive Behavioural Therapist, you will also have gained valuable insight and experience in the use of certain aligned techniques derived from other core psychological models.

Course options

Check News pages for the start dates of the various options.

Monthly Weekend Course

  • Monthly weekend (Glasgow)
  • Monthly weekend (Edinburgh)

Weekend Course Structure

  • Saturday 9am-8pm
  • Sunday 9am-8pm

Weekly Course

One day per week in Glasgow. Enrol in a class on a particular day and the class thereafter is 9:30am-5pm on the same day each week for the remainder of the year.

Course Location

Glasgow courses are delivered at the Centre of Therapy in Newton Place.

Edinburgh courses take place at Simpson House, Queen Street.

Cost of Course

Cost of course: £3450 per year (£6900 total). Monthly payment options are available.

SAAS Funding

Participants can qualify for £894 towards year 1 and £984 towards year 2 with funding through the SAAS Part Time Fee Grant.

Course Start Date/s:
  • Sat, 2nd Sep 2023
Further Date/Time Information: This is the start date for the beginning of the current academic year. For start dates of individual classes please see News pages.
Required Application Criteria:

To apply for entry to the SCOTACS Diploma in Counselling and Groupwork – a Cognitive Behavioural Approach, applicants must have undertaken the COSCA Certificate in Counselling Skills (SCQF Level 8) or an equivalent qualification including Skills Practice.

Applicants should download, complete and return the downloadable application form. Completed applications can be returned to admin@centreoftherapy.org.uk.

All applicants will be required to attend an interview to determine suitability for the course.

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