Post-Graduate Diploma (PgDip) Counselling Practice (CP) (CBT pathway)

More than a diploma . A pathway to your future in CBT.

TRAIN TO BECOME A CBT THERAPIST

Develop the clinical skills, academic knowledge and professional confidence to take the next steps in your CBT career.

Delivered by ACT in partnership with GCU, our two-year, part time programme leads to a recognised postgraduate award at SCQF level 11. (120 Credits)

Combining evidence-based CBT Training, practical clinical experience and a pathway towards GCU’s MSc Counselling Practice, the programme is designed with your professional future in mind.

WHY CHOOSE ACT?

A Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) postgraduate qualification

Our two-year programme is delivered in partnership with GCU, leading to a Postgraduate Diploma at SCQF Level 11 (120 credits). Validated by COSCA.

A direct pathway to Master’s level study

Students completing the PgDip have a progression route towards GCU’s MSc Counselling Practice, subject to the relevant entry and progression requirements.

Specialist, clinically focused CBT Training

Our teaching combines evidence-based CBT Theory with substantial practical skills development and supervised clinical experience. You’ll learn from experienced CBT professionals who bring their clinical knowledge into the classroom.

Training with your future career in mind

Our programme is designed to support the development of professional CBT practice and provide a foundation for further professional development, including relevant professional accreditation pathways, subject to individual eligibility requirements.

Accessible postgraduate education

We welcome applications from a range of academic and professional backgrounds and can discuss potential entry routes based on your qualifications and experience.

Programme information

Duration: Two years, part-time
Qualification: Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling Practice (CBT Pathway) SCQF Level 11
Awarding university: Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU)
Full programme fee for 2027-2029: £11,250
SAAS Tuition Loans: Up to £7000 for eligible students, subject to meeting the criteria
Clinical Supervision: Arranged and funded separately

Next Steps

We would be delighted to discuss your previous experience, qualifications and career aspirations to help you explore whether our programme is the right fit for you.

You can find further information about our PG Diploma if you continue to scroll this page to the bottom, and we would love to welcome you to our information sessions which will be scheduled early 2027.

To apply please email [email protected] for an application form.

Review

ACT counselling and CBT services are a fantastic organisation to receive training from. They encouraged and supported me to be the best student I could possibly be, with so much knowledge and passion from the trainers it was easy to be engaged in learning. As a newly qualified therapist I have chosen to continue receiving support from my supervisor at ACT. The supervision I receive from ACT continues my on-going journey with ACT in order to help me develop into the best counsellor I could possibly be and give my clients the service they deserve. ACT is truly a fantastic,...

'I have just completed the COSCA course with ACT counselling services, this was a 40 week course. I would highly recommend this to anyone as it did not feel like 40 weeks, the setting and the facilitator where amazing making my learning fun at the same time having a professional approach. the facilitators are passionate about the course we and this was clear to see. Well done guys thanks for the journey.'

I am also halfway through my first year of CBT and group work at ACT and I really couldn’t recommend it enough. I did my research when deciding where to go and decided last year to ‘go with my heart’ having taken advice from other people I knew who were studying CBT at different places and having met for an informal chat. At the time ACT were in the process of writing the coursework to get ‘level 11’ which is really important to think about when you are considering your job opportunities in qualifying, and am glad I chose to study...

I feel like an individual, not a number, undertaking training here. The tutors are exceptionally knowledgeable, have a strong passion for what they do, and are invested in their students. There is a well-rounded approach to learning, with many different styles and approaches utilised.

'Having recently completed the PG Dip Level Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Groupwork with ACT Counselling services, I would highly recommend them as a vehicle to experience quality and professional training. The standards and expectations set are high and commensurate with an academic post graduate qualification. Tuition and course content are of an excellent quality. However the human elements are equally valuable, as students are highly supported by caring, empathetic tutors. The course leaders are experienced, understanding and passionate about counselling. They are great role models of professional conduct and practice. I thoroughly enjoyed challenges presented, both personally and...

Contact

Post-Graduate Diploma (PgDip) Counselling Practice (CP)

The ACT Counselling and Training Services Post-Graduate Diploma (PgDip) Counselling Practice (CP) was written in response to requests and demand that the Course Team, who are all Accredited and experienced Clinicians, share their experience and expertise with those seeking to become CBT Psychotherapists. Members of the course team also hold membership and accreditation as trainers with COSCA or are working towards this.

The course has been written to provide Participants with a solid grounding in the theory and practice of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and its application within clinical settings. Furthermore, the course content aims to provide participants with a working knowledge of the policies, protocols, assessment methodology and legislation relevant to settings within which CBT is practiced in the UK. Lastly, the course team believe that CBT is an effective approach based upon empiricism. We also believe that there are other models of therapy that enhance the practice of CBT and that Counselling Skills and Counselling process are integral to participants learning. Therefore, participants will graduate as Qualified CBT Therapists and will also be schooled as an integrative practitioner.

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Entry Requirements

The minimal entry requirements for the course is completion of Counselling Skills (COSCA Certificate SCQF Level 8 or equivalent). An existing Degree is desirable, however if you do not have an existing Degree and have a COSCA qualification you can still apply for the Post-Graduate Diploma (PgDip) Counselling Practice (CP) under our Contextual Offer route.
Students with no degree will be required required to complete an academic entry essay to get on to the course (Contextual Offer), then at the end of Module 1 of the course you will be required to complete an Assignment and successfully pass to continue on the course.

The Diploma is written and directed by ACT Counselling and Training Services Academic Course Team who have enormous experience in the practice of CBT, Clinical Supervision and delivery of CBT training throughout the UK.

Diploma Course Team:

Ashlie McVey, Grace Markov, Claire Monaghan, Sian Parfitt, Cara Milor, Jess Forsyth and Jackie Hay.

All of the Course Team are Accredited Psychotherapists and trainers or currently in the process of working towards this. The course is externally verified once per year by suitably qualified and experienced Academic Assessors.

ACT is a specialist counselling and CBT Training organisation with university standards

Students benefit from:

teaching from experienced CBT practitioners and trainers
intensive clinical skills development
application of CBT theory to real clinical practice
university-level assessment
Glasgow Caledonian University academic oversight and quality assurance

Delivery of the Part-Time course will take place on one weekend per month or one day per week within ACT Counselling and Training Services premises (address listed below). The course runs from September 27 until June 29 over 2 years. The premises are ideally located for participants attending either locally or from further afield.

Post-Graduate Diploma (PgDip) Counselling Practice (CP) (CBT pathway)

TRAIN TO BECOME A CBT THERAPIST

WHY CHOOSE ACT?

Review

Contact

Post-Graduate Diploma (PgDip) Counselling Practice (CP)

Entry Requirements

Diploma Course Team:

Diploma in Counselling Supervision

Post-Graduate Diploma (PgDip) Counselling Practice (CP) (CBT pathway)

COSCA CERTIFICATE IN COUNSELLING SKILLS (SCQF LEVEL 8)