Amanda had always been the friend who listened. Whenever someone needed advice, a sympathetic ear, or just a shoulder to cry on, she was there. Her natural ability to empathise and offer practical solutions has been a part of her personality for as long as she can remember. However, as much as she loved helping others, Amanda had always felt like something was missing. She had a burning desire to turn her natural gifts into something more — a career where she could make a real difference in people’s lives.
That’s when she discovered the Online Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) – CPD Accredited course offered by the School of Psychology. The School was known for designing courses aimed at enhancing skills and preparing individuals to embark on careers in therapy. For Amanda, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to take that next step and formalise her passion into something professional.
Taking the First Step
At first, Amanda was nervous about signing up for an online course. She hadn’t been in a classroom — virtual or otherwise — for years, and the idea of diving into structured learning again felt daunting. But when she read more about the School of Psychology, she realised that the course was designed for people just like her: individuals who may not have a formal background in psychology but who wanted to build the foundational skills needed to begin a career in therapy. The fact that the course was CPD accredited reassured her that this wasn’t just a casual course but a recognised stepping stone into the world of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.
With a mixture of excitement and trepidation, Amanda enrolled.
Balancing Life and Learning
One of the biggest challenges Amanda faced was balancing her current life with the demands of the course. She had a full-time job as an administrative assistant and was responsible for looking after her two children. Finding time to study seemed impossible at first, but the flexibility of the online course allowed her to work at her own pace. This was a game-changer.
Each evening, after putting her children to bed, Amanda would spend a couple of hours going through the course modules. The School of Psychology had structured the course in a way that made even complex concepts like CBT techniques, behavioural patterns, and therapy models digestible for beginners. She found herself becoming more engaged with each lesson, particularly as she began to understand how CBT could be used to break negative cycles of thinking and behaviour.
Amanda often thought back to the friends she had helped over the years, now seeing those interactions through the lens of CBT. It was eye-opening to realise how many of the techniques she had used instinctively aligned with the principles of cognitive restructuring and behavioural activation.
Practical Skills for a Real Career
One of the key features that drew Amanda to the Online Certificate in CBT was the practical focus of the course. While the theory behind Cognitive Behavioural Therapy was important, Amanda knew that being able to apply these skills in a real-world setting was what would truly prepare her for a career in therapy. The School of Psychology provided case studies, role-playing exercises, and interactive sessions, all of which helped Amanda to develop the confidence needed to work with clients in the future.
In one module, she was tasked with creating a treatment plan for a fictional client dealing with anxiety. Amanda had to assess the client's thought patterns, identify the cognitive distortions they were experiencing, and propose CBT techniques to help them break out of their negative thinking cycle. It was challenging but enriching. By the end of that assignment, Amanda felt a new sense of purpose. She wasn’t just learning about CBT; she was practising the very skills she would use in her future career.
Personal Growth Along the Way
As Amanda delved deeper into the course, something unexpected happened: she began to apply the techniques she was learning to her own life. CBT is often described as a way to help others, but Amanda quickly realised how powerful it could be for her personal growth.
She started to identify her own negative thought patterns, particularly the self-doubt she had been carrying for years. Whenever she found herself thinking, "I’m not smart enough for this," or "I’m too old to start a new career," Amanda would pause and challenge those thoughts, just as she had learned through CBT. She replaced them with more balanced, realistic thoughts: "I’m learning every day," and "It’s never too late to pursue what I love."
This shift in mindset was transformative. Amanda began to feel more confident, not just as a student but as a mother, friend, and potential therapist. She realised that this journey wasn’t just about gaining a certificate — it was about growing into the person she had always wanted to be.
A New Path Forward
Six months into the course, Amanda completed her final assignment and received her Online Certificate in CBT from the School of Psychology. It was a proud moment, and the CPD accreditation gave her the confidence that this wasn’t just a hobby, but a real qualification that could lead to a fulfilling career in therapy. She had already started looking into part-time counselling roles and was eager to continue her education, possibly working toward a diploma or even a degree in psychology.
For Amanda, the journey was about more than just acquiring a new skill set. It was about finding her purpose, learning to believe in herself, and realising that she had the power to help others on a professional level. The School of Psychology had provided her with the tools and the support she needed, but it was Amanda’s determination that turned a dream into reality.
As she looked ahead to the future, Amanda felt ready to take on the next challenge. She knew that helping people overcome their mental health struggles through CBT was not just a career choice — it was her calling.
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