An exciting graduate level course focusing on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is now being offered at the University of Pittsburgh. Kim Poling, LCSW, Clinical Program Manager at the STAR-Center, and Mary Beth Boylan, Ph.D., who was previously with STAR-Center, are the instructors for the course. The course, PSYED 2588 Special Topics in Child Development and Child Care, is offered during the fall semester each year. 

This course is offered as part of the School-Based Behavioral Health graduate program in the Psychology in Education Department.  However, non-degree students are welcome to enroll as well.  

If you would like information on the course, or how to register: please contact the School of Education at: soeinfo@pitt.edu

Course Description:

This course will help you develop a therapeutic skill set in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a treatment approach applicable to a variety of clinical problems.  These problems might include depression, anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and other emotional and behavioral disorders.  CBT is a flexible approach and is utilized in diverse settings such as inpatient, outpatient and partial hospital programs as well as in schools.  In addition to clinical practice many people find the principles of the cognitive-behavioral model useful in maintaining a healthy emotional outlook in their own lives.  This course will emphasize both theory and practice of cognitive-behavioral skills. 

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a form of psychotherapy in which the therapist and client work together as a team and collaborate on identifying and solving problems. Therapists help clients to overcome their difficulties by changing their thinking, behavior, and emotional responses. Additionally, clients learn relevant skills to maintain the progress made during therapy. These skills involve recognizing and modifying "self-talk" and core beliefs, communicating effectively, regulating emotions as well as changing behaviors. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy has shown to be an effective treatment, with promising results for children and adolescents.

Participants will learn to:

• Understand the theory and the basics of the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy model.
• Identify how CBT can be used in school settings.
• Learn strategies for socializing clients to the treatment model, including how to engage clients.
• Build case conceptualization based on Cognitive Behavioral model.
• Learn how to create a validating, non-judgmental environment, essential for conducting CBT lessons.
• Learn techniques for identifying and changing self-talk and core beliefs.