‘I’m really glad I did do it and that on balance the extra work was worth it’: A COM-B framework of final year trainees experiences of attaining secondary accreditation in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy on a clinical psychology programme in the UK

Abstract

Clinical Psychology trainees undertaking the specialised Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) pathway develop robust CBT competencies and gain secondary accreditation with the British Association for Cognitive and Behavioural Psychotherapy upon qualification from doctoral training. This paper outlines final year trainees’ reflections on their experience of undertaking the pathway. A COM-B model of behaviour change was adopted to consider the process of implementation and avenues for development. Overall, trainees reported being pleased to have left the doctorate with well-honed competencies in CBT. The trainees reported varied opportunities to develop skills, a significant increase in their capability, referred to multiple forms of intrinsic and extrinsic motivations and reported commitment to sustainable behaviour change. Issues relating to working with complexity and across the lifespan were highlighted as areas for further consideration.