Education
Training of health care professionals in CBT usually occurs at the Masters or Ph.D. level, which prepares practitioners to do clinical work, research or teach. Practitioners can then become certified. The National Association of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapists (NACBT) offers certification after a minimum of three years supervised post-graduate experience. The Academy of Cognitive Therapy (ACT) Certification is awarded to those individuals who, based upon an objective evaluation, have demonstrated an advanced level of expertise in cognitive therapy. Post-graduate training in cognitive therapy is offered through the Beck Institute at www.beckinstitute.org and the Albert Ellis Institute at www.rebt.org.

Official Licensing Bodies
Currently there is no national or state licensing to practice CBT. There are however various certification programs.

The National Association of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapists (NACBT) offers cognitive behavioral certification and diplomate programs in eight professional specialty areas. For complete information on the specific requirements for certification through NACBT visit their web site at www.nacbt.org.

The Academy of Cognitive Therapy at www.academyofct.org certifies highly qualified licensed mental health professionals in cognitive therapy. The Albert Ellis Institute offers various levels of certification in Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy www.rebt.org.

References:
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Anderson DA, Maloney KC. “The efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy on the core symptoms of bulimia nervosa.” Clinical Psychology Review. 21(7): 971-88, 2001.

The Beck Institute. Judith S. Beck, Ph.D. “Questions and Answers about Cognitive Therapy.” Available at www.beckinstitute.org

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Pinkowish, Mary Desmond. “Antidepressents and Cognitive-Behavior Therapy Effective in Panic Disorder.” Patient Care. August 30, 1999.

Reinecke, Mark A. “Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy of Depression and Depressive Symptoms during Adolescence: a Review and Meta Analysis.” Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Pyschology. January, 1998.

Sharpe L, Sensky T, Timberlake N, et al. “A blind, randomized, controlled trial of cognitive-behavioural intervention for patients with recent onset rheumatoid arthritis: preventing psychological and physical morbidity.” Pain. 89(2-3): 275-83, 2001.

Spear, Jane. “Aaron T. Beck (1921-): A Pragmatic Approach to Therapy.” Gale Encyclopedia of Psychology. Available at www.findarticles.com

Tasman. Allan. Psychiatry, 1st Edition. W.B. Saunders Company, 1997.

Van Tulder MW, Ostelo R, Vlaeyen JW, et al. “Behavioral treatment for chronic low back pain: a systematic review within the framework of the Cochrane Back Review Group.” Spine. 26(3): 270-81, 2001.

Content last modified on Mar 2, 2004