CBT Certification
Objective
CBT certification has been developed by ANZACBT to contribute to creating a career structure and acknowledgement of qualification for people with CBT training as there is no such structure currently. This will be recognised in a similar way to certification as a CBT therapist in the UK.
There is no intention to prevent other clinicians who do not have CBT certification from using CBT. Instead, it is a positive acknowledgement of people who have worked hard to complete significant post-graduate training in CBT.
Certification does not have the same legal standing as professional registration.
Background
This proposal was developed and refined in line with feedback from a wide range of stakeholders and ANZACBT members and bearing in mind the rapidly changing mental health context in NZ. The initial proposal was to achieve ‘registration’ of CBT therapist, which is a legal term, however this has been changed to ‘certification’, which is not a legal term, but can still be used to acknowledge CBT expertise. Feedback from stakeholders on ensuring cultural competence and ensuring that the cost of becoming certified is not prohibitive has been taken into account.
Certification will be assessed by a sub-committee from the ANZACBT executive board. Cultural competence will be assessed by having Māori and /or Pasifika representation in the ANZACBT certification panel.
Each application will be considered on a case-by case basis.
Definition of ‘CBT’ for certification
CBT is a specific therapy approach within the broader family of cognitive and behavioural therapies. CBT was developed by Dr Aaron Beck. It can include components of ACT and DBT but training or experience in these alone does not suffice for CBT certification.
The rationale for this is that other forms of cognitive behavioural therapy such as ACT, DBT and compassion-focussed therapy operate under the broader umbrella of cognitive behavioural therapies.
Cost
The initial certification cost of $30 NZD must be met by the clinician and there is a yearly re-certification (also $30 NZD). This may be supported by the individual’s employer.
Applicants must also be members of ANZACBT, which costs $50 NZD per year.
Certification Requirements
Requirements for certification would be that the therapist:
- Holds a relevant undergraduate or postgraduate degree.
- Has completed substantial supervised postgraduate CBT training.
- 50 hours of CBT practice post-training.
- Works clinically for a minimum of .4 FTEs per week.
- Has an appropriate CBT supervisor.
- Regular supervision.
- Clinical Experience log (see spreadsheet), verified by supervisor.
- Evidence of CBT adherence.
- Documentation of cultural supervision and training.
- Membership of ANZACBT.
- Professional membership of an organisation with clear auditing processes.
Application for Certification
It is the applicant’s responsibility to provide clear and detailed information supporting the requirements needed and to provide all the supporting documentation possible. The assessment panel will not enter into discussion or seek further information if there is missing information. The application fee will be charged whether or not the application is successful. This approach is taken so as to keep application costs as low as possible.
* Note: Typed signatures of any kind will not be accepted.
Download Clinical Experience Log Form
How to Apply
- Step 1 - Please email us your completed application form and all supporting documents.
- Step 2 - Complete payment (see application form for details).
Contact
If you have any question, please contact us or email web@cbt.org.nz.
* If you are expecting an email from us but did not receive any, please also check your spam folder.
Latest Update Notice
* Certification form and Criteria list were updated on 3 October 2023.