Becoming a Cognitive Behavioral Psychologist involves obtaining a Ph.D or Psy.D in psychology from an accredited institution, taking classes in CBT, and gaining experience in the field. Formal recognition can be helpful, but some practitioners prefer to gain competence through training and CEUs. Certification can confer a level of experience in CBT that uncertified psychologists cannot offer.
The path to becoming a Cognitive Behavioral Psychologist varies depending on the type of agency from which a person will pursue this title. Typically, psychologists who are licensed to practice and have studied and practiced in that field to some depth will go to a region’s accrediting agency for behavioral or professional psychologies so that they can be formally recognized by that agency as having a specialty in cognitive-behavioral work. The shortest route is to simply get some training in this area and use that to provide cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Formal recognition can be helpful if people want to specialize in CBT and be known as experts in the field.
A student who would like to become a cognitive behavioral psychologist starts by completing a Ph.D or a Psy.D in psychology. The degree must be obtained from an institution formally recognized by behavioral science boards or agencies that provide the means to obtain the cognitive behavioral psychology designation. When participating in a doctoral program, it is highly recommended that people take many classes in CBT practice and participate in research or internship programs that emphasize CBT. The boards that give this title look for strong skills in this area that are acquired in school or that are obtained later through recognized continuing education units and practices (CEUs).
Depending on the certification board used to become a cognitive behavioral psychologist, people may also need a certain amount of experience after their PhD. Experiences that focus especially on CBT practice help make people experts. In the US, for example, the American Board of Professional Psychology’s application to become a cognitive behavioral psychologist requires significant reflection on how CBT has been implemented in practice, sample interviews, and an oral exam prior to certification. It is important to pay attention to the requirements of the local licensing board, as the requirements of various boards differ.
There are other ways to “become a cognitive-behavioral psychologist” that don’t always have formal recognition. Some classes or exams may confer entry into a professional organization of CBT therapists which may include licensed professional therapists, marriage and family therapists, psychiatrists, and licensed clinical social workers. Alternatively, with training, psychologists can simply practice CBT. Many professionals may prefer not to become a cognitive-behavioral psychologist because they feel that designation ties them too closely to a single type of practice.
Those who are specifically interested in being a cognitive behavioral psychologist often have extremely strong opinions about the benefits of this psychological treatment compared to others. Yet many practitioners do not want this designation and prefer to gain competence through CEUs and other training modalities so that they can provide CBT and other treatments. From a professional standpoint, certification can be beneficial when it comes to competing for clients; confers a level of experience in CBT that the merely trained, uncertified psychologist cannot offer.
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