If you have questions about Beck Institute that aren’t answered here, you can always contact us.
Does my past Beck Institute Supervision training meet the requirements for the Beck Institute CBT Certification program? Assuming you successfully passed supervision at the expected standard during which your supervision took place, your supervision term will be eligible to meet the Beck Institute CBT Certification requirements. However, before proceeding to your Certification Work Sample submission, it is strongly recommended that you participate in an additional half-term of Beck Institute Supervision. Please contact supervision@beckinstitute.org to request a half-term of supervision.
If you opt not to participate in a half-term of Beck Institute Supervision, and fail to obtain a passing score of 44 on your work sample submission, you must then complete a full-term of Beck Institute Supervision in order to be eligible to re-submit your Certification work sample.
What types of trainings do you offer? BI provides online training in both CBT and CT-R in the following formats:
- On-demand courses, which include video-based lectures, self-paced activities, and an interactive community discussion Forum. These are self-paced, so you can access content anywhere, anywhere, from any device.
- Live workshops, which include lectures, group discussions, and Q&A sessions with our Faculty. These occur on set dates and times.
- Live webinars, which include lectures and Q&A sessions with our Faculty. These occur on set dates and times, and participants receive a recording after the webinar ends.
- On-demand webinars, which are pre-recorded and accessible anytime, anywhere, from any device.
- Group trainings through our Training for Organizations program.
BI also provides in-person trainings to groups through our Training for Organizations program.
View our upcoming trainings
Can I earn CEs/CMEs through BI trainings? Yes. You may elect to receive CE/CME credits through participation in our online and in-person trainings. Cost of CE credits is included in your registration payment. The number of credits earned differs from training to training. Please consult our training catalog for details on specific trainings.
What if I have questions about a specific training or the material covered in a training? Please reach out to help@beckinstitute.org with any questions about trainings, or for assistance in deciding which training is right for you.
Do you provide certificates for your trainings? BI provides certificates of completion to trainees for completing our trainings. These certificates indicate full participation in the workshop, webinar, or course, and are entirely distinct from Beck Institute CBT Certification.
For information on the Beck Institute CBT Certification program, please visit: beckinstitute.org/certification
Can I take a training if English is not my first language? We welcome international and multilingual learners! As most trainings are offered in English, we recommend fluency in English. Our on-demand courses are subtitled in English to provide greater ease of access.
Who is eligible to participate in a BI training? While we welcome health and mental health professionals from across disciplines, most of our trainings require at least a master’s degree in a relevant field. Please check the specific requirements for each training listed in our training catalog.
Please note that we recommend (but do not require) taking one of our on-demand Core trainings prior to participation in other trainings.
We occasionally offer trainings suitable for individuals without graduate degrees in health and mental health. If you fall into this category and are interested in a training, please check the specific requirements for each training listed in our training catalog.
What are the BI Core trainings? We have designed four primary trainings to provide trainees with a solid foundation in CBT. These courses are all prerequisites for Beck Institute CBT Certification, though you do not need to pursue Certification to participate in these courses. In fact, we encourage all trainees to take one of these courses prior to participating in another training. The Core trainings include:
We have also designed a comprehensive introduction to Recovery-Oriented Cognitive Therapy (CT-R) in both a live and on-demand training format.
Can I defer my enrollment in a training that I have purchased? Please contact help@beckinstitute.org if you need to defer your participation in a training. We will do our best to accommodate your needs.
Who conducts BI trainings? BI maintains a roster of expert faculty in CBT and CT-R. Each faculty member has demonstrated excellence in the field. Please visit Our Team for faculty bios.
Do you offer scholarships or financial aid? Increasing access to excellent training is crucial to achieving our mission. BI provides financial support through need-based scholarships, an affordable workshop for graduate students, and training scholarships to professionals working with active-duty or veteran military personnel.
Other financial aid may be available. For more information, please contact help@beckinstitute.org.
What are the benefits of Beck Institute CBT Certification? Beck Institute Certified Professionals will receive a signed certificate, have access to resources provided by Beck Institute, discounts on select Beck Institute offerings, and invitations to attend exclusive Beck Institute-sponsored events and webinars. In addition, certified professionals will be included in our public therapist directory and be eligible to receive clinical referrals from Beck Institute.
Is Beck Institute CBT Certification right for me? The Beck Institute CBT Certification program is designed for clinicians who are generalists or specialists in terms of their client populations and/or the conditions their clients present with. The four course requirements for the Beck Institute Certified Clinician level encompass the essential concepts and structure of CBT with consideration of the three most common conditions seen in the general population. The additional course requirements for the Beck Institute Certified Master Clinician level include advanced coursework on topics of the applicant’s choosing.
Am I eligible for Beck Institute CBT Certification? What are the prerequisites? Individuals eligible for Beck Institute CBT Certification must have a terminal degree in a mental health or allied health field, have substantial clinical experience, be able to attest to a history of ethical practice, and be licensed and professionally insured (if required) to practice in their locale. For more information, please review the full list of prerequisites.
I live outside the USA. Am I eligible for Beck Institute CBT Certification? Yes! We welcome international applicants to Beck Institute CBT Certification.
English is not my primary language; am I eligible for Beck Institute CBT Certification? Yes! We welcome applicants whose native language is not English. However, applicants should be able to read and write in English at the intermediate level.
Courses:
There are three ways to take Beck Institute courses:
- Online courses—These are offered only in English, but we do offer subtitles for accessibility.
- We offer in-person workshops at Beck Institute in Philadelphia.
- Beck Institute faculty present CBT workshops directly to organizations around the world through our Training for Organizations Program. Several faculty members can present these trainings in various foreign languages.
Learn more about scheduling a Beck Institute workshop for your organization.
Supervision:
Supervision occurs via phone or video conference. In addition to English, it is available in the following languages: Cantonese, Danish, Farsi, French, Korean, Norwegian, Portuguese, Russian, Slovenian, Spanish, Swedish, and Thai.
Work Sample:
Work samples for Beck Institute CBT Certification are reviewed by English-speaking faculty. You can record your work sample in another language and provide English transcripts or conduct and record sessions in English.
What kind of technology is required for Beck Institute CBT Certification? You will need reliable internet access. We use different platforms to communicate with participants, including:
- Our online courses, which have several technical requirements
- Phone calls or video conferencing through Zoom
- A private, password-protected file-sharing portal that Beck Institute provides to all trainees
- If you are an international applicant, please ensure that you can use these tools in your country.
Does Beck Institute CBT Certification give me license to provide therapy? No, Beck Institute CBT Certification is intended as a form of continuing education and assessment for licensed clinicians already practicing psychotherapy. You are not awarded a degree and our training does not confer license to provide therapy. Instead, our training helps clinicians achieve proficiency in providing CBT effectively and with fidelity to the evidence-based model.
To find out how to be licensed to practice psychotherapy in your area, check with the governing board of licenses in your region.
How does Beck Institute CBT Certification differ from other certification programs? Beck Institute CBT Certification requires coursework and supervision designed by the Drs. Beck and based on the cognitive model as taught at Beck Institute. Individuals in our program will improve their skills in applying the core components of Beck Institute CBT, receive supervision from a CBT expert, and be evaluated on their CBT skills and conceptual understanding of the model. Our program raises the bar for excellence in CBT.
If you are already certified by another organization, you may still apply for Beck Institute CBT Certification.
Does the Student and Early Career Professional Workshop count towards Beck Institute CBT Certification? Yes, the annual Student and Early Career Professional Workshop satisfies the CBT for Depression course requirement for Beck Institute Certified Clinician.
I am very experienced with CBT. Do I still have to take Essentials of CBT: The Beck Approach in order to become certified? Yes. Essentials of CBT: The Beck Approach provides foundational CBT concepts, ensures adherence to the cognitive model in the practice of CBT as it is currently being taught, and helps us to establish consistency in excellence across a broad range of disciplines, settings and populations served. Feedback from past trainees–even those with high-level experience and expertise–is that our six- to eight-hour course is informative, engaging, and a worthwhile refresher and reorientation to the model.
Does Beck Institute training offered at my organization count toward Beck Institute CBT Certification? Customized training provided through Beck Institute’s Training for Organizations (TFO) program will also count towards Beck Institute CBT Certification when it conforms to the topic, objectives, and hours required for certification. TFO training that departs significantly from the framework of the prerequisites will not be counted.
Do Beck Institute online training courses count towards Beck Institute CBT Certification? Yes. Each level of Beck Institute CBT Certification requires certain courses. Workshops onsite at Beck Institute and Beck Institute online training count toward these requirements.
Will my past Beck Institute training count toward Beck Institute CBT Certification? Yes, past Beck Institute training that conforms to the hours and content focus of the certification coursework requirements counts toward Beck Institute CBT Certification.
Which level of Beck Institute CBT Certification should I pursue? All Beck Institute Certified Professionals are recognized as having achieved a high degree of proficiency in delivering CBT with fidelity to the model developed by Aaron T. Beck.
Beck Institute Certified Clinician (BICC) is the first level of Beck Institute CBT Certification. BICCs have completed significant training in treating the most common conditions seen in the general population and have demonstrated their competence in CBT.
Beck Institute Certified Master Clinician (BICMC) is the second level of Beck Institute CBT Certification. To progress to Beck Institute Certified Master Clinician, candidates must first be a Beck Institute Certified Clinician. BICMCs will have completed additional training and supervision in specialized areas and will have demonstrated a high degree of proficiency in CBT.
Beck Institute Certified Supervisor (BICS) is the third level of Beck CBT Certification. To progress to Beck Institute Certified Supervisor, candidates must first be a Beck Institute Certified Master Clinician. BICSs will have completed additional training and supervision specific to teaching and supervising CBT.
If I become Beck Institute CBT Certified, am I certified for life? Beck Institute CBT Certification is valid for five years. After five years, Beck Institute Certified Professionals will be required to requalify. The recertification process ensures continued fidelity to the CBT model.
What does it mean to be accredited by Beck Institute? Organizations who meet and maintain compliance with the rigorous standards held by Beck Institute will be eligible to earn the designation of a “Beck Institute Accredited” organization.
What organizations are eligible to be Beck Institute Accredited? Accreditation by Beck Institute is for organizations that have met standards and continue to provide clinical services and/or training in accordance with the Beck Institute model for CBT. Accreditation is available to organizations who employ Beck Institute Certified clinicians and supervisors.
How do I know if my application was received? After submitting your application via the website, you will receive an automated confirmation email. If you do not receive this email, please contact the training department (education@beckinstitute.org).
When will I find out if I won? All applicants will be notified of their status in late April.
If I pay to reserve my seat and I win the competition, will I be reimbursed? Yes. We recommend reserving your seat in the workshop by submitting the registration fee. Beck Institute will reimburse you should you be chosen as a scholarship recipient.
Can I still attend if I graduate prior to the workshop? Yes. Trainees who graduated within the same calendar year may still attend the workshop.
Is there a difference between the student workshop and the CBT for Depression and Suicide workshop? The content presented in our Graduate Student workshop is identical to our Core workshop (CBT for Depression & Suicide). The Graduate Student workshop is different in that it is only open to graduate students, psychiatric residents, pre-doctoral interns, or post-doctoral fellows in a mental health or related field (health, education, etc.). Additionally, this workshop does not provide CEs and the cost is significantly discounted to accommodate students.
Are meals included in the cost of the workshop? A continental breakfast, refreshments, and light snacks will be available throughout the workshop. Lunch will not be provided as part of the workshop. However, the Marriott has a restaurant and there are several eateries available within walking distance of the hotel.
Do you offer a group room rate for the workshop? Yes. For your convenience, we have reserved rooms at the Courtyard Marriott hotel (where the workshop will be taking place). They are offering a reduced rate for participants of this workshop. To take advantage, please use this link to book your room by midnight on Friday, July 6th.
How long are supervision terms? Supervision terms consist of 10 sessions over the course of 3 months. Sessions are held weekly, although we have factored in two extra weeks to accommodate illness, vacation, holidays, etc.
Who are the Beck Institute supervisors? Beck Institute supervisors are highly skilled cognitive therapists who have trained with Dr. Aaron Beck and/or Dr. Judith Beck. You will be matched with a Beck Institute supervisor based on your treatment specialty.
How long are supervision terms? Supervision terms consist of 10 sessions over the course of 3 months. Sessions are held weekly, although we have factored in two extra weeks to accommodate illness, vacation, holidays, etc.
What are the dates of my supervision term? The first supervision term for all participants is scheduled to begin July 1st and end on September 30th. Those in Individual Supervision will begin another supervision term, immediately following the first supervision term This second term will run from October 1st to December 31st, and will be a continuation of regular supervision, unless you qualify for supervision of supervision.
How will I submit my recordings to my supervisor? Recordings will be submitted through a private, password-protected file-sharing service that Beck Institute is providing to all supervisees.
How often do I submit a session recording? A single session recording should be submitted at least three days in advance of your supervision call (approximately weekly.) Individual supervisees will submit 10 session recordings.
How are supervision calls with my supervisor conducted? Supervision calls may be conducted via telephone or video conferencing. If using video conferencing, you are not permitted to enable the “Record” feature as recording supervision calls are strictly prohibited. More details on specific programs will be provided to program participants.
What device do you recommend for recording sessions for supervision? You will need to use a digital voice recorder that converts to audio .mp3 files.
What can I say to get clients to consent to the recordings? We’ve found that saying something like the following helps:
“I have an unusual opportunity for you. You should feel free to say yes or no. I’m about to begin a special supervision program and if you do say yes, I think you’ll really benefit. Here’s what I’d do. I’d record our next few therapy sessions but I would never say or write down your full name. I’ll send the recordings to a special supervisor who will listen to it, then delete it, and then give me feedback. I always think two heads are better than one. You’d get the benefit of the expert supervision that I’ll be getting. [pause] What do you think? Do you want to be the client I choose? Or would you like to think about it?
How many clients should I record? Beck Institute recommends that you record two consenting clients per week. Recording more than one client at a time is helpful in the event that the primary client you’re using for supervision misses a session.
Do I have to use the same client throughout my supervision term? We recommend using the same client for at least the first few supervision sessions. You can then move onto another client if that would be more helpful. You are not required to use the same client throughout your supervision term, nor switch to another client.
How will my progress in supervision be tracked? Both you and your supervisor will rate every patient recording you submit using the Cognitive Therapy Rating Scale (CTRS) and the CTRS manual. A passing score on the CTRS is 44. For your term to meet the requirements for BI Certification, you must obtain three scores of 44 or above on the CTRS, submit at least nine recordings, and attend all ten sessions of supervision.
What are the requirements for successful completion of the supervision program? Your supervisor will rate your therapy recordings using the Cognitive Therapy Rating Scale (CTRS). In order to receive a Letter of Completion, you must obtain a score of 44 three times and be recommended by your supervisor. You must attend all ten sessions and submit at least nine recordings. Trainees who do not reach competency receive a Letter of Participation and may enroll in additional terms.
What will I receive when I complete my supervision term? / Do I receive any credential after completing my supervision term? Supervision terms are eligible for 7.5 CEs. When you complete the supervision term, you will receive a letter of participation or a letter of completion.
What happens if I do not meet the requirements for successful completion of your supervision program? You will receive a Letter of Participation documenting your participation in the supervision program and you may enroll in additional terms.
Who does Supervision of Supervision apply to? To be eligible to participate in supervision of supervision, you must first successfully complete your first standard term of supervision (Individual) and receive 3 scores of 50 or higher on the CTRS. Please note that the standard to progress to supervision of supervision is a higher standard than is required to receive a Certificate of Completion. You must also receive a recommendation from your supervisor to begin supervision of supervision.
What is supervision of supervision? Supervision of supervision is structured the same way as regular supervision (10 sessions over the course of 3 months). However, instead of recordings of therapy sessions, you will send your supervisor recordings in which you are supervising your own trainees. You will then receive feedback from your Beck Institute supervisor on how to become a more effective CBT supervisor.
What resources will Beck Institute provide me with for my CBT supervision? Beck Institute will provide you with a copy of the Cognitive Therapy Rating Scale (CTRS) and CTRS Manual, a Cognitive Therapy Worksheet Packet, a Beck Institute Supervisee Protocol, access to a secure file sending service to send your recordings, and a sample consent form to use with your clients. You will also be provided with copies of Beck scales (BDI, BAI, and BHS and, if applicable, the Beck Youth Scales). Please note, the BDI, BAI, BHS, and all Youth Scales are owned by Pearson Assessments and are provided as a special courtesy as part of your participation in the Beck Institute Supervision Program. They are only to be used with clients with whom you are working within the scope of the Beck Institute Supervision Program. Otherwise you will be in violation of copyright laws.
Do I have the be Beck Institute Certified for my organization to be Beck Institute Accredited? Accredited organizations must employ Beck Institute Certified clinicians and supervisors. Organizations that provide on-site clinical training must provide supervision conducted by Beck Institute Certified supervisors.
Certification is a process and designation for individuals. Individuals within organizations may be certified even though the organization for which they work may not be accredited.
¿Qué pasos debo tomar para asegurarme de recibir crédito de CE? Para recibir crédito de CE, tendrá que registrarse diariamente en el taller, completar el Formulario de Verificación de Asistencia (CAV) y completar la evaluación del curso. Usted recibirá estos formularios en el taller.
¿Puedo obtener CE / CME a través de sus talleres? Sí, este taller le permitirá obtener 24 EC. El costo de los créditos de CE se incluye en su pago de registro.
Usted recibirá su certificado de CE por correo electrónico luego de una semana de haber finalizado el taller.
Cuando viaje al Instituto Beck para el entrenamiento, ¿A cuál aeropuerto debo volar? Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) se encuentra a unos 30 – 45 minutos de Beck Instituto.
Estoy programando mi viaje de regreso. ¿A qué hora finaliza el taller el último día? El taller finaliza a las 4:00 p.m. Hora del Este (ET). Por lo general, toma 30-45 minutos para llegar al aeropuerto y 20-30 minutos para llegar a la estación del tren (30th Street Station).
¿Hay hoteles cerca del Beck Institute? Para asistencia con respect al hotel y a sus vuelos , por favor contacte con nuestro equipo de viajes.
Hay dos hoteles a poca distancia del Instituto Beck con tarifas especiales disponibles. El Hilton City Avenue está justo al otro lado de la calle y el Courtyard Philadelphia City Avenue (anteriormente el Crowne Plaza Philadelphia West) está a unos diez minutos a pie del Instituto Beck. El Courtyard también ofrece un servicio de traslado a Beck Institute que le llevará a nuestra oficina cada mañana y y de regreso al hotel por la tarde.
¿Ofrecen becas o ayuda financiera para los programas de capacitación del Beck Institute? En algunos casos, sí. Ofrecemos becas de capacitación a terapeutas que trabajan con personal militar activo o con veteranos. Las becas están basadas en las necesidades, y ofrecemos un taller especial anualmente a un precio reducido para los estudiantes.Puede haber otra ayuda financiera disponible. Para obtener más información, envíe un correo electrónico a Maritza Lawson en education@beckinstitute.org.
Does Beck Institute provide handouts and training materials? Yes, Beck Institute will provide handouts to the organization five days in advance of the training, electronically. The organization is responsible for making hard copies of handouts and distributing handouts to participants.
Is the organization responsible for booking the speaker’s travel and lodging? No, Beck Institute uses a travel and planning company to book faculty’s travel and lodging. Beck Institute submits expenses to the organization for reimbursement following the training.
Is the organization responsible for securing audio-visual equipment? Yes, the organization is responsible for securing audio-visual equipment, including a computer or laptop with PowerPoint software installed, Wi-Fi, slide clicker, digital projector and screen, DVD playing capability with sound amplification, lavaliere microphone, handheld microphones for audience participation and roleplays, and a dry erase or flip board.
Is the organization responsible for securing the training space? Yes, the organization is responsible for securing the training space.
Can a training at my organization be recorded? No, we do not allow audio or video recordings of trainings.
Are scholarships available for organizations?
Will participants receive letters of attendance upon completion of a training? Yes, participants will receive a Letter of Workshop Attendance via email.
How many people can attend a training at my organization? We do not set the minimum or maximum for workshops. It’s really up to you and the capacity at your site.
Are continuing education credits available for trainings at my organization? We do not provide continuing education credits for training at organizations. Some organizations decide to get credits through a local university or other credentialing source. It is also our understanding that some licensing boards accept a certain number of hours of continuing education that are not approved in advance, *but it is up to the individual participant to submit proof of attendance to their licensing board. If the licensing board allows for this, the licensing board makes the determination on whether credits will be counted.
How soon can I schedule a training at my organization? We typically schedule workshops 3-4 months in advance.
How can I find out if my organization approves CE credit from IBH? You can find this out by reading the accreditation information provided on our website. If a particular board is not listed, you may contact the board for further details.
Can I receive CE credit if I only attended part of the workshop? No, you must attend the workshop in full in order to receive CE credit.
Can I be granted CE credit retroactively for a workshop I attended in the past? IBH does not grant credit retroactively. All CE requirements must be fulfilled on-site at the workshop.
When and how will I receive my CE certificate? At the end of the workshop, you will receive directions and a link to electronically retrieve your CE certificate.
Will I receive any proof of CE credit? Yes, you will be able to download a CE certificate of completion after all necessary steps are completed.
What steps do I need to take to ensure I receive CE credit? In order to receive CE credit, you will need to sign in and out daily at the workshop and follow the website link that is provided to you at the end of the workshop. You will need to complete a post-workshop evaluation. Once you complete this, you can download your CE certificate.
What is cognitive behavior therapy? Cognitive behavior therapy is one of the few forms of psychotherapy that has been scientifically tested and found to be effective in hundreds of clinical trials for many different disorders. In contrast to other forms of psychotherapy, cognitive therapy is usually more focused on the present, more limited in duration, and more problem-solving oriented. In addition, patients learn specific skills that they can use for the rest of their lives. These skills involve identifying distorted thinking, modifying beliefs, relating to others in different ways, and changing behaviors. Learn more about CBT.
What is the theory behind cognitive behavior therapy? Cognitive behavior therapy is based on the cognitive model: the way we perceive situations influences how we feel emotionally.
For example, one person reading this website might think, “Wow! This sounds good, it’s just what I’ve always been looking for!” and feels happy. Another person reading this information might think, “Well, this sounds good but I don’t think I can do it.” This person feels sad and discouraged.
So it is not a situation that directly affects how people feel emotionally, but rather, their thoughts in that situation. When people are in distress, their perspective is often inaccurate and their thoughts may be unrealistic.
Cognitive behavior therapy helps people identify their distressing thoughts and evaluate how realistic the thoughts are. Then they learn to change their distorted thinking. When they think more realistically, they feel better. The emphasis is also consistently on solving problems and initiating behavioral changes.
What are the most essential components of CBT treatment? It’s important to remember that cognitive behavior therapists use a different formulation for each psychiatric disorder. We use this formulation in conceptualizing the individual patient, which is an essential component to developing a sound therapeutic relationship, setting goals, planning treatment, and selecting interventions. Building trust and rapport with patients from the very first contact, demonstrating accurate empathy, sharing the conceptualization with the patient (and making sure it “rings true” for the patient), and collaborating are also essential. Another important part of every therapy session is helping patients respond to inaccurate or unhelpful ideas. The basic question to ask when a patient is reporting a distressing situation, emotion, or dysfunctional behavior is: “What is going through your mind right now?” Once we help patients identify their dysfunctional thinking, we help them gain more adaptive and accurate perspectives, especially by helping them examine the validity and usefulness of their thoughts. We also help them design behavioral experiments to test the accuracy of their predictions.
How to Know if Therapy is Working- Huffingtonpost.com
What if I am undecided about therapy? If you are undecided about therapy, think about the following:
You don’t need to make a commitment to a minimum number of sessions:
Some patients find even a few therapy sessions useful and then choose to continue working on their own.
View therapy as an experiment:
There is no way of your knowing in advance that cognitive therapy will definitely help, but it has helped countless people with difficulties. Think of giving cognitive therapy a try; there’s probably no hard evidence that it won’t help.
Realize that there is no big risk:
If it’s not helpful enough, you can stop, but the potential benefit might be great. It would be a shame if you decided not to try something that could really make a difference in your life.
It’s normal to have concerns:
You may worry whether therapy can help or you may feel hopeless about it. If you’re predicting that nothing will make you feel better, you may be wrong.
Finances are often a problem:
Many insurance plans pay for part of the cost of evaluation and treatment. Our goal is to teach you to be your own therapist and to keep therapy short, so cognitive therapy may be the best investment you could make.
If you’d like to know more, please call our Clinic Coordinator, Alex Shortall, at 610-664-3020. There are also many excellent self-help books that can give you a good idea of what cognitive therapy is all about. We also have a recent blog post about this as well.
What about medication? Cognitive therapists, being both practical and collaborative, can discuss the advantages and disadvantages of medication with you. Many patients are treated without medication at all. Some disorders, however, respond better to a combination of medication and cognitive therapy. If you are on medication, or would like to be on medication, you might want to discuss with your therapist whether you should have a psychiatric consultation with a specialist (a psychopharmacologist) to ensure that you are on the right kind and dosage of medication. If you are not on medication and do not want to be on medication, you and your therapist might assess, after four to six weeks, how much you’ve progressed and determine whether you might want a psychiatric consultation at that time to obtain more information about medication.
How can I make the best use of therapy? One way is to ask your therapist how you might be able to supplement your psychotherapy with cognitive therapy readings, workbooks, client pamphlets, etc. A second way is to prepare for each session, thinking about what you learned in the previous session and jotting down what you want to discuss in the next session.
A third way to maximize therapy is to make sure that you try to bring the therapy session into your everyday life. Therapists should make sure you take home notes or a recording of anything you want to remember, both changes in your thinking and an action plan to follow during the week.
How will I know if therapy is working? Many patients notice a decrease in their symptoms within a few weeks of therapy, or even sooner, if they have been faithfully attending sessions and doing the suggested assignments between sessions on a daily basis.
What can I do to get ready for CBT treatment? An important first step is to set goals. Ask yourself, “How would I like to be different by the end of therapy?” Think specifically about changes you’d like to make at work, at home, in your relationships with family, friends, co-workers, and others. Think about what symptoms have been bothering you and which you’d like to decrease or eliminate. Think about other areas that would improve your life: pursuing spiritual/intellectual/cultural interests, increasing exercise, decreasing bad habits, learning new interpersonal skills, improving management skills at work or at home. Your therapist will help you develop a goal list and decide which goals you might be able to work toward on your own and which ones you might want to work on in therapy.
How do cognitive behavior therapists help clients become their own therapists? At each therapy session, cognitive behavior therapists help clients specify the problems they have encountered during the week or that they expect to encounter in the current week. They then collect data to identify the ideas and behaviors that have interfered with patients’ ability to solve problems themselves. Cognitive behavior therapists get clients actively engaged in deciding where to start working. Together, they develop an “action plan” or homework for patients (to do during the week) to implement solutions to problems or to make changes in their thinking and actions. This process gets clients actively involved in their own treatment; they begin to recognize that the way to get better is to make small changes in how they think and what they do every day. When treatment ends, clients are able to use the skills and tools they have learned in therapy in their day-to-day lives.
Does Beck Institute offer internships or post-doctoral fellowships? Please contact us at info@beckinstitute.org for information about internship or volunteer opportunities. We do not offer pre- or post-doctoral internships at this time.
Do you offer scholarships or financial aid for Beck Institute training programs? In some cases, yes. We offer training scholarships to therapists working with active-duty or veteran military personnel, needs-based scholarships, and we offer a special workshop annually at a reduced rate for students.
Other financial aid may be available. For more information, please email Maritza Lawson at education@beckinstitute.org.
Does Beck Institute offer supervision of supervision? Yes. If you are interested in learning to supervise other cognitive therapists, you must first successfully complete one standard term of supervision and receive 3 scores of 50 or higher on the CTRS. You must also receive a recommendation from your supervisor to begin supervision of supervision.
What happens if I do not meet the requirements for successful completion of your supervision program? You will receive a Letter of Participation documenting your participation in the supervision program and you may enroll in additional terms.
What kind of credential will I receive upon successful completion of your supervision program? When you successfully complete the supervision program, you will receive a Letter of Completion. You are encouraged to obtain certification in cognitive therapy through the Beck Institute CBT Certification program.
What are the requirements for successful completion of the supervision program? Your supervisor will rate your therapy recordings using the Cognitive Therapy Rating Scale (CTRS). In order to receive a Letter of Completion, you must obtain a score of 44 three times and be recommended by your supervisor. You must attend all ten sessions and submit at least nine recordings. Trainees who do not reach competency receive a Letter of Participation and may enroll in additional terms.
I do not have English-speaking clients. Can I still participate in your supervision program? Yes, trainees may submit translated verbatim English transcripts of therapy sessions in lieu of session recordings and receive voice-to-voice supervision. Alternatively, we may be able to provide you with a Beck Institute supervisor who can listen to your tapes and conduct supervision calls in other languages pending our supervisor availability.
How will I submit my recordings to my supervisor? Recordings will be submitted through a private, secured file-sharing service that Beck Institute provides to all trainees. You will be provided with all the required information to access this service prior to the start of your supervision term.
I do not have a license. Am I eligible to participate in your supervision program? International trainees are not required to have a license. If you practice in the US and Canada, you must have a license if your state requires it. We ask you to provide the appropriate documentation before the start of your term.
Am I responsible for securing clients, or does Beck Institute provide them? For supervision sessions, you will record clients from your own practice. Beck Institute does not provide clients for supervision.
How many clients should I record each week for supervision? We recommend that you record two consenting clients per week. Recording more than one client at a time is helpful in the event that the primary client you’re using for supervision misses a session.
What device do you recommend for recording client sessions for supervision? You will need to use a digital voice recorder that converts to audio files. You can find an example by clicking here.
Do you have supervisors who specialize in various disorders or populations? Yes. Beck Institute supervisors represent a wide variety of expertise in using cognitive therapy with a range of disorders and specific populations.
Can I request a specific supervisor? Yes. If we are unable to provide you with the supervisor you request, we will match you to an available supervisor whose training and experience match your needs and interests.
Who are the Beck Institute supervisors? Our faculty supervisors are highly skilled cognitive therapists who have extensive training in the Beck model and experience using CBT in a wide range of settings across populations.
They have been identified by Beck Institute as experts with skills in facilitation and supervision. Our faculty lead workshops and provide supervision and consultation.
I would like my staff to be trained in CBT. Do you ever provide onsite training for organizations?
Where does Beck Institute hold its workshops? Interactive, virtual workshops are held using the latest version of Zoom Client for Meetings.
Philadelphia Workshops are held at Beck Institute, across the street from the Philadelphia city limit. Our address is 1 Belmont Avenue, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004.
On the Road workshops are held in cities throughout the US.
Are there hotels near Beck Institute? For hotel and travel assistance, contact our travel representative (Kelly).
There are two hotels within walking distance of the Beck Institute with special rates available. The Hilton City Avenue is directly across the street, and the Courtyard Philadelphia City Avenue (formerly the Crowne Plaza Philadelphia West) is about a ten-minute walk from Beck Institute. The Courtyard also offers a shuttle to Beck Institute trainees that will take you to and from our office each morning and afternoon.
When I travel to Beck Institute for training, what airport should I fly into? Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) is located about 30 – 45 minutes from Beck Institute.
I am scheduling my return travel. What time does the workshop end on the last day? The workshop ends at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET). It usually takes 30-45 minutes to get to the airport and 20-30 minutes to get to 30th Street Station.
What are the prerequisites for attending a workshop? Participants must hold at least a master’s degree in a mental health, education, medical, or related field, although we do consider graduate students on a case-by-case basis. Graduate students are eligible to attend our annual Student and Early Career Professional workshop. We recommend (but do not require) participants to attend at least one Core Curriculum workshop before attending a Specialty Workshop.
Which Core Curriculum workshop is right for me? The Core Curriculum workshops are designed to build the essential knowledge and practice competencies in CBT. Core 1 (Depression) focuses on the fundamentals of CBT: case conceptualization, treatment planning, goal setting, session structure, identifying and responding to automatic thoughts, behavioral experiments, etc. Core 2 (Anxiety) covers theory and treatment specific to the more commonly encountered anxiety disorders such as GAD, Social Phobia, and Panic Disorder. Finally, Core 3 focuses on challenges: personality disorders, problems in the therapeutic relationship, problems with homework completion and therapy engagement, difficulties with identifying cognitions, and other seeming obstacles to therapy. We recommend having taken Core 1 or 2 before Core 3, depending on prior experience and familiarity with CBT.
Do you offer workshops in specialty subjects? Yes. Throughout the year, Beck Institute offers a changing menu of specialty workshops on a variety of topics. Specialty workshop topics are determined based on feedback from Core Curriculum workshop participants, and reflect current interests and issues.
Can I earn CEs/CMEs through your workshops? Yes. Attendance at our three-day Philadelphia workshops earns 18 CE credits and two-day workshops earn 12 CE credits. Cost of CE credits is included in your registration payment.
Who conducts your workshops? Dr. Judith Beck directs all workshops and teaches at many of them. Beck Institute faculty, who have specific expertise in specialty areas, also present. Dr. Aaron Beck conducts a question and answer session at most Philadelphia workshops.
When is the deadline for submitting workshop applications? Beck Institute accepts applications on a rolling basis until the Friday prior to the workshop start. Your tuition guarantees your space.
How do I know whether a workshop is full? A workshop will show in the store as out of stock when its capacity has been reached. If you have questions about availability, please email us or call 610-664-3020.
What payment options does Beck Institute accept? You may pay tuition by check drawn on a U.S. bank or by credit card.