Program Overview

Professional Certificate in Clinical Practice and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Foundations for Adults

Overview

The Professional Certificate in Clinical Practice and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Foundations for Adults is designed to enhance the capabilities of local mental health services, targeting individuals without a specialized background in mental health. The curriculum is structured to equip participants with essential foundational interpersonal skills in counseling, motivational interviewing, and screening techniques for identifying mental health disorders.

Mode of Delivery and Assessment

• Mode of Delivery: Face-to-face workshops with didactic teaching, reflective practice group discussions, and group supervision.
• Assessment:
  • Day 1-3: Online Test and Written Exam
  • Day 3-6: Online Test
  • Group Supervision: Oral Questioning

Entry Requirements

• Background in Psychology, Social Work, Counselling, or related field
• A letter/email from employer verifying that applicant is working with clients with mild to moderate mental health difficulties and supervised by a qualified individual (Workshop II only)
• Fluent in English (instruction language)

Application

• Professional Certificate: Application Links are to be confirmed.

Course Fees

• Professional Certificate in Clinical Practice and CBT Foundations for Adults: Full course fees are $5,940.00, excluding GST.

Course Structure and Details

Course Synopsis

The demand for evidence-based interventions to address mental health difficulties in adults has outpaced available community services. This workshop is designed for allied mental health practitioners assigned to mild and moderate mental health cases to deepen their expertise in Clinical Practice and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) while working with adult populations.

Learning Outcomes

The learning outcomes for each day of training are as follows:

• Day 1: Basic Psychological Theories
  • Know and describe the key concepts and principles of cognitive, behavioral, and bio-psycho-social models in Psychology
  • Know and be able to apply the different cognitive, behavioral, and bio-psycho-social models in Psychology to case studies
• Day 2: Motivational Interviewing (MI) (theory and practice)
  • Demonstrate client-centered counseling skills such as open-ended questions, affirmation, reflective listening, and summaries (OARS)
  • Demonstrate effectively using the DARN-CAT framework to recognize, elicit, and respond to change talk
  • Demonstrate the key principles of the Transtheoretical model of Behavioral Change (TTM)
  • Recognize client’s readiness to negotiate a change plan, and develop a change plan collaboratively
• Day 3: Ethical Practices in Mental Health
  • Understand the SPS Code of Ethics in clinical, legal, and ethical practices
  • Identify the different types of ethical issues and dilemmas in professional practice
  • Understand the professional duty to report ethical issues, misconduct, and discriminatory behavior
  • Understand the importance of collaboration with other professionals and/or service agencies in achieving the goals of care
  • Understand the importance of reflexive practice and self-care in professional practice
  • Understand the provisions and key principles of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) Act (MHCTA/MDTA)
  • Understand the provisions and key principles of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA), Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA), and the Advanced Medical Directive Act (AMD)
• Day 4: Mood Disorders
  • Describe the definition, etiology, signs (observable features), and symptoms of mood disorders, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, psychosis, schizophrenia, and insomnia.
  • Facilitate the right siting of care and escalate clients to appropriate levels of care.
  • Solicit background information and elicit negative automatic thoughts to use in clinical conceptualization.
  • Interpret appropriate screening and assessment tools (e.g., DASS-21, PHQ-9, BDI-II, WHODAS 2.0, CGI, YBOCS, GAD-7, SCI, GCES, etc.).
  • Conceptualize mental health difficulties based on the 4Ps of the biopsychosocial framework.
  • Use a cognitive-behavioral formulation for mood disorders.
  • Use (joint) formulations and relevant clinical guidelines to implement appropriate and flexible evidence-based interventions.
  • Demonstrate the ability to set goals together with clients and implement a treatment plan.
  • Demonstrate knowledge on how to monitor evidence-based intervention plans.
  • Design psychoeducation programs for clients and caregivers.
  • Understand cognitive and behavioral techniques for therapy.
  • Demonstrate a plan for termination in therapy using principles of generalization and relapse prevention.
• Day 5: Anxiety Disorders and Obsessive-compulsive disorders
• Day 6: Psychosis, Schizophrenia, and Insomnia
• Post-workshop group supervision sessions:
  • Know and demonstrate reflective practice and self-development by utilizing peer supervision as a platform for self-reflection, self-awareness, and ongoing learning.
  • Know and demonstrate insights into their own practice, identify areas for growth, and implement strategies for professional development and improvement.

Dates and Time

• Day 1: To be confirmed (TBC) March 2026
• Day 2: TBC March 2026
• Day 3: TBC March 2026
• Day 4: TBC March 2026
• Day 5: TBC March 2026
• Day 6: TBC March 2026
• Post-workshop group supervision sessions: TBC March 2026
• Classes will be conducted from 9 am to 5:30 pm.

Training Venue

• Classes will be conducted face-to-face in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, NUS.

About The Trainers

• Dr. Kean J. Hsu: Assistant Professor, National University of Singapore
• Dr. Kenji Gwee: Senior Lecturer, National University of Singapore
• Dr. Lohsnah Jeevanandam: Senior Lecturer and Director of Clinical Psychology Programme, National University of Singapore
• Dr. Hasse De Meyer: Lecturer, National University of Singapore
• Dr. Nur Hani Zainal: Assistant Professor, National University of Singapore
• Dr. Matthew Lim: Senior Lecturer, Deputy Director, and Curriculum Coordinator, Clinical Psychology Programme, National University of Singapore

Research Areas

The trainers have expertise in various research areas, including but not limited to:

• Developmental disabilities
• Dual diagnosis
• Behavioral modification
• Parenting programs
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Digital mental health interventions (DMHIs)
• Neurocognitive processes
• Psychoneuroimmunology
• Cognitive-behavioral strategies
• Anxiety and depressive disorders
• Clinical health psychology
• Reflective practice
• Clinical supervision

Department of Psychology

• Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
• Block AS4, Level 2
• 9 Arts Link
• Singapore