King Saud University Cognitive Behavioral Therapy High Diploma

Introduction: 

Cognitive Behavioural therapy (CBT) is a psychotherapeutic approach that aims to influence dysfunctional emotions, behavior and cognitions through a goal-oriented, systematic procedure (Beck, 1976). CBT was primarily developed through a merging of behavior therapy with cognitive therapy.

While rooted in rather different theories, these two traditions found common ground in focusing on the “here and now” and symptom removal.

In Saudi Arabia, treatment of psychiatric disorders is usually medication oriented and only few mental health professionals offer psychotherapy. Although the medical model is the most prevailing, it is also faced with a great deal of resistance because of fear of addiction. Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy, is therefore one of the optimal therapeutic forms for the Saudi therapists and the training is more cost effective compared to other long term forms such as psychoanalytic psychotherapies.

The program for training in CBT is designed to graduate well-trained personnel who will rank with the standards of the international certification. This program will diminish the need to pursue advanced CBT education abroad and will produce experts that can contribute to the knowledge base of psychotherapy profession in the kingdom. Additionally, it provides a good basis for advanced postgraduate education such as Master and Doctoral work and will graduate clinically skilled professionals.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

Educational goal for the trainees:

To become familiar with the CBT model and develop basic skill in deploying basic CBT strategies for uncomplicated mood and anxiety disorders

Education objectives for trainees:

At the end of this diploma, participants will be able to:

1. Describe the CBT model
2.  Formulate patients utilizing the cognitive conceptualization diagram
3. Identify anxiogenic and depressiogenic automatic thoughts through focused interviewing
4. Apply basic cognitive restructuring strategies such as the automatic thought record to alter negative or unproductive cognitions associated with anxiety and depression
5.  Apply behavioral activation strategies such as a weekly activity schedule to assist patients suffering from severe depression
6.  Apply relaxation techniques to assist patients suffering from anxiety
7.  Apply various exposure techniques (external as well as, intraceptive exposure and imaginal exposure) to assist patients with anxiety and phobic avoidance
8. Become familiar with additional CBT resources (books and websites) for continuing education
9.  Become familiar with Cognitive Therapy Scale (CTS) for rating CBT therapeutic sessions.

DURATION:

It will be 12 months including one month vacation for the trainee. It covers 776 training hours in total. It will start with the academic year in September every year.

PROMOTION

The certificate will be granted to those trainees achieving an overall mark of 60% or higher for this one year diploma.

FELLOW DUTY HOURS

There is no on-call duty.

The CBT Diploma certification will be granted by the Psychological Health Research & Applications Chair and Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, King Saud University.

English Title: “KING SAUD UNIVERISTY – COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY HIGH DIPLOMA”

"دبلوم عالي جامعة الملك سعود في العالج المعرفي السلوكي" :Arabic title