CPCAB Level 5 Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapeutic Skills and Theory CBT-L5
Looking to further your career with a specialist, comprehensive Level 5 Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapeutic Skills and Theory? Apply for our course today using the application form linked below, now recruiting for September 2026 intake, delivered by doctoral-trained clinical psychologists, accredited CBT practitioners and educators.
Now taking applications for our April 2027 and September 2027 cohorts.
CBT is the front-line, evidence-based intervention for the range of mild to severe mental health difficulties in the United Kingdom. Set yourself apart for your career - be it in the NHS, university settings or independent practice - by upskilling in CBT. Designed and delivered by expert, leading practitioners, researchers and educators in the field, with personalised student support, developmental feedback and practical skills training.
Previous students have rated our qualifications and training as 'Excellent', commending their "interaction; structure; extremely high standard of teaching" and having gained "knowledge and skills to help clients with their needs".
Learn more about our 12-month, fully online Level 5 CBT diploma, awarded by the CPCAB. You can access the application form below, or book onto one of our upcoming Open Evenings to hear from the Course Director.
Watch a Video From the Course Director
Our upcoming cohorts will be delivered as follows:
Duration: 12 months, part-time
Format: Online
April 2027 intake teaching days: Wednesdays 1pm-5pm (starting 21st April 2027)
September 2027 intake teaching days: Tuesdays 9am-1pm in term time (September-November, January-March and May-July)
Accredited by: CPCAB
Entry requirements: Level 4 counselling/psychotherapy qualification or equivalent
Cost: £2700 + £398 CPCAB registration fee
Use the enquiry form at the bottom of the page with any specific questions, or the link below to book onto an upcoming Open Evening with Course Director, Dr Alastair Pipkin. Or, if you are ready to apply, click Apply Now to be taken to the application form.
About The Level 5 Diploma in CBT
Comprehensive CBT Training to Further Your Expertise
This comprehensive Level 5 Diploma provides counsellors, psychotherapists and equivalent mental health practitioners with a robust grounding in the theory and practice of CBT.
It is specifically designed for practitioners who want to integrate Cognitive Behavioural Therpeautic skills and theory to successfully treat mental health difficulties and improve lives. You will have a mixture of didactic, experiential and interactive teaching workshops, alongside completing at least 30-hours clinical practice and specialist supervision, to become a well-rounded, evidence-based CBT practitioner.
Course Content and Sessions
The course covers the following across three terms of live delivered sessions, totaling 120 taught hours:
Robust assessment skills including problem statements, history taking, using diagnostic frameworks and risk assessment
Formulation skills using the latest evidence-based CBT models for common and severe mental health problems
Diversity and inclusive practice in CBT
CBT treatments for depression, generalised anxiety, social anxiety, phobias, health anxiety, OCD, PTSD and more
Self-practice self-reflection and the therapist's self in CBT
Working with emotions in CBT
Working with schemas
Evaluating therapy and psychometrics
The course includes the following resources:
A full reading and reference list
Live skill demonstrations and CBT videos from a clinical psychologist and BABCP-accredited CBT practitioner
Clinical tools including assessment proformas, checklists, CBT intervention workbooks and worksheets
Case studies and applied examples for each concept taught
Personalised career development guidance
We are very pleased to include submissions of your real therapy tapes for two of the assignments, which tutors evaluate using gold standard CBT competence assessment tools (CTS-R). This keeps our assignments grounded in real practice.
You Will Gain:
An in-depth understanding of CBT theory and models
Practical skills to deliver effective CBT interventions, including real assessment of your actual therapy sessions
Professional accreditation recognised by CPCAB
Confidence to work with clients using CBT approaches for a range of presentations
Expertise in treating all common mental health difficulties
A recognised qualification to further you career in the NHS, charity, university and private practice settings
A supportive, developmentally-focused environment with colleagues and peers
Our previous students said:
"I really enjoyed today, Alastair is a great lecturer who kept me awake and engaged all day! The regular breaks are extremely helpful in maintaining engagement and motivation. There is a good balance of talking and activities and I feel the information provided was extremely clear and structured well."
"I throughly enjoyed the course and learning new skills and knowledge it provided me with. The course content and teaching were excellent."
"An extremely high standard of teaching."
" I will be applying the skills to support my clients in their needs."
"Found it a nice ease into the course with a good balance of active engagement and content. Did not feel too overwhelming."
"Case studies, structure, thorough teaching work well."
Is this course right for you?
This course is designed for:
Qualified counsellors and therapists at Level 4 minimum seeking to specialise in CBT
Mental health professionals with a core professional qualification, such as mental health nurses, occupational therapists and social workers, wanting to add CBT to their skillset
Practitioner psychologists, including clinical, counselling, health and forensic psychologists, wanting to upskill in CBT, with some BABCP taught hours
Book onto one of our upcoming Open Evenings with Course Director, Dr Alastair Pipkin, via the link below.
Entry Requirements:
A Level 4 or equivalent qualification in counselling/psychotherapy (e.g. CPCAB Level 4 Diploma)
A core professional qualification in mental health practice
Meet The Course Director, Dr Alastair Pipkin
HCPC-Registered Clinical Psychologist, BABCP Fully Accredited Cognitive Behavioural Therapist and Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
Dr. Alastair Pipkin is a HCPC-registered clinical psychologist, fully accredited cognitive behavioural therapist with the BABCP, and an associate fellow of the higher education academy. He has setup, designed and delivered training for front-line psychological practitioners using CBT, written university-level courses in counselling and mental health, and trained hundreds of mental health professionals in CBT.
Unlock Psychology Ltd exists to provide accessible, robust, evidence-based and personalised training to equip the next generation for therapists. By sharing years of expertise in CBT, education and mental health treatment experience, the team of doctoral-trained therapists provide excellent learning environments to promote effective change.
What you'll learn
The CPCAB Level 5 Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapeutic Skills and Theory is an Ofqual-regulated qualification. It is recognised by various employers as a specialist additional qualification in CBT.
By the end of the programme, you will be able to demonstrate the following learning outcomes:
Work safely, legally and ethically as a counsellor using the CBT approach.
Use the CBT framework to structure the therapeutic relationship.
Integrate understanding of diversity in CBT work.
Use a coherent CBT approach to work with individual clients and their needs.
Work with self awareness as a counsellor using the CBT approach.
Use CBT theory, research and techniques coherently within counselling work.
Monitor and maintain professional effectiveness as a counsellor using the CBT approach.
The program is delivered over 3 terms of 10 weekly live sessions. The cohort contains no more than 16 people to enable a mixture of live skills demonstrations, practice, group discussions, reflective activities and didactic and interactive lectures.
There are additional reading lists, resources and reflective activities to enhance your learning.
Format: The course is delivered via live, online lectures, totalling 120 hours. The course totals 390 guided learning hours.
Duration: The course lasts 12 months, spanning three terms of 10 weeks.
Support: You will have regular tutorials with your tutor, supervision groups, peer learning and regular learning reviews.
Assessment: There are seven assessments in total, including essays, case reports, live recordings of sessions, a clinical audit task and clinical portfolios. You must also complete a placement including 30 hours of CBT practice and specialist CBT supervision.
Award: You will be awarded a recognised Level 5 Diploma in CBT, awarded by the CPCAB.
TESTIMONIALS
What Our Clients Say
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"Alastair was structured, knowledgeable, thorough and generous in sharing his expertise and knowledge with regards to assessing ADHD. I have found the training thoroughly enjoyable and interesting, and I feel much closer to being prepared to begin assessments already."
"Alastair is a great teacher and explains things very well then checking back we all are clear and understand and if we have any questions. I am looking to complete a lower level counselling course but then complete a coaching qualification and if there were any courses related to this or they were offered by Alastair / Unlock Psychology I would definitely complete here."
"I really enjoyed today, Alastair is a great lecturer who kept me awake and engaged all day! The regular breaks are extremely helpful in maintaining engagement and motivation. There is a good balance of talking and activities and i feel the information provided was extremely clear and structured well."
5
average rating from 30+ Google reviews
The CPCAB Level 5 Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapeutic Skills and Theory costs £2700 plus £398 CPCAB registration fee. There are no extra or hidden costs.
The fee includes:
All teaching materials, including lecture slides, booklets, learning materials, resources and additional webinars
All taught components and tutorial support, including personal and professional development support
Personalised, developmental feedback across all assignments, during skills demonstrations and for career progression
Payment options include three options:
Non-refundable booking deposit of £200 to confirm your place on the course, deducted from the full fee
Upfront payment option due 6 weeks before the course starts (includes £50 reduction, so £2650 total course fee)
Termly payment plan option of £834, £833 and £833 due 6 weeks before each term starts respectively
Monthly payment plan option of 12x £208.33 payments due each month
Upcoming start dates:
April cohort begins 21st April 2027, with Wednesday teaching days 1pm-5pm
September cohort begins 7th September 2027, with Tuesday teaching days 1pm-5pm
Ready to start your CBT training?
Our accredited CPCAB Level 5 Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapeutic Skills and Theory is taking applications from counsellors, psychotherapists and mental health professionals today for our April 2027 and September 2027 intakes. Advance your career with our comprehensive, robust grounding in CBT skills and theory.
You can access the application form to apply directly below. Or, to book a place on one of our upcoming open evenings, use the link below.
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