Fundamentals of CBT - WE261014
Fundamentals of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy: Core Skills to Improve your Practice
Merging theory with practical clinical skills, this course is a great way to discover (or refresh) the foundational concepts of CBT while laying the groundwork for more focused CBT strategies offered in our advanced workshops.
Features:
Eight session course (two-hours per session), 16 training hours total. Held via online meeting software
Tailored to clinicians and clinical learners (students) in the fields of healthcare and social services
Live instruction by experienced McMaster faculty allows for discussion and in-class practice of skills applicable to a broad spectrum of presenting concerns
Wednesdays October 14, 2026 - December 2, 2026 at 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. ET
Format: Virtual, instructor-led training. (eight (8) two-hour sessions, 16 training hours total)
Instructors: Dr. Tyler Tulloch, PhD, CPsych and Elisha Schafer, MSc, RP
Register early and save!
Early Registration price valid until September 30, 2026:
Regular: $499 + HST
Learner*: $299 + HST
Full price effective October 1, 2026:
Regular: $599 + HST
Learner*: $349 + HST
*Applicable to undergraduate or postgraduate learners, with proof of enrolment at a recognized academic institution.
Fundamentals of CBT offers an introduction to the historical foundations and theory underlying cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and in-depth learning of core CBT strategies for use with adolescents and adults.
Designed to aid clinicians in flexibly applying CBT in their clinical practice, including using case formulation, the course content covers a variety of cognitive and behavioural strategies and when and how to apply them to maximize benefit.
Equity, diversity and inclusion concepts will be interwoven throughout the lectures to aid clinicians in applying CBT to individuals from various populations and backgrounds and with intersecting identifies. Led by skilled and experienced faculty, the synchronous lectures include didactic learning, as well as the opportunity for in-class practice and role-play.
- Historical foundations & overview of common presentations
- Assessment from a CBT perspective & case conceptualization formulation
- Cognitive strategies I (thought records, socratic dialogue, cognitive distortions, modifying automatic thoughts)
- Cognitive strategies II (evidence technique, eliciting assumptions & core beliefs, additional strategies)
- Behavioural strategies I (behavioural activation & SMART goals)
- Behavioural strategies II (intro to exposure, exposure hierarchies, troubleshooting exposure, behavioural experiments)
- Putting it into practice and preventing relapse
1. Understand the predominant theories underlying CBT
2. Develop skills in client conceptualization and case formulation from a CBT perspective
3. Learn and apply core cognitive change strategies
4. Learn and apply core behavioural change strategies
5. Increase confidence in ability to apply strategies in a targeted way
6. Identify and troubleshoot common challenges and barriers in CBT
7. Refine skills in treatment termination
Location
Online event:
Dates
Registration period:
August 11, 2026 - 12:00 AM EDT - October 8, 2026 - 11:59 PM EDT
Contact us
If you have any questions, please contact CBTinfo@mcmaster.ca
