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History

In 1967, psychiatrist Aaron T. Beck developed cognitive therapy, a psychotherapy approach that focuses on examining the connection between people’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviors in order to help solve problems and address mental health issues. Numerous clinical outcome studies have shown cognitive therapy to be effective in treating a multitude of mental health problems (e.g, depression, anxiety, panic, anger, marital distress, chronic health problems). As cognitive therapy began to grow in popularity since the latter part of the 20th century, the demand for an organization that serves and educates professionals and consumers emerged. In 1996, a group of leading experts within the field of Cognitive Therapy decided to form an organization that certifies practicing cognitive therapists and educates the public about the approach. The Academy of Cognitive Therapy (ACT) was officially established as a non-profit organization in 1998.

Mission

According to the founder of Cognitive Therapy, Aaron T. Beck, the Academy of Cognitive Therapy (ACT) "sets the standard of excellence for cognitive therapists" and benefits the mental health consumers through education and access to high quality treatment. ACT accomplishes this by:

1) Providing resources and articles for the public describing how cognitive therapy works, the benefits of the therapy, and information regarding various mental health problems. These resources are available on the ACT website: www.academyofct.org

2) Educating the public regarding the credentials required to be a competent cognitive therapist and providing an international directory of certified cognitive therapists, as well as a directory of low-cost treatment options

3) Establishing credentialing requirements and providing credentialing for practicing cognitive therapists

4) Providing a forum for cognitive therapists throughout the world and amongst different disciplines to share emerging research and interventions and to exchange ideas and resources

5) Informing members about and organizing training seminars, workshops, and conferences

Credentialing

In order to receive certification as a cognitive therapist by ACT, therapists must demonstrate adequate knowledge of the theory of cognitive therapy and competency in the practice of the therapy. Credentialing is available on both a national and international level to qualified professionals from various mental health disciplines (e.g., psychology, psychiatry, social work, mental health counselors). Credentialing consists of a two-part application process and a credentialing committee established by the ACT evaluates applications. Part one consists of providing information regarding demographics, training/education, and practice, and paying an application fee. Applicants must have an advanced degree and license to practice in a mental health discipline. Two letters of recommendation from professional colleagues or supervisors are also required. Once the credentialing committee approves the first part of the application process, applicants are invited to submit the second part of the application. This consists of providing a description of one’s training in cognitive therapy, a case write-up, and an audiotape of a therapy session. Applicants must have a minimum of 40 hours of clinical training, 10 hours of supervision, and have completed treatment of at least 10 patients.

Levels of Membership and Benefits

According to the ACT website, membership is available to researchers, clinical practitioners, and students who have an interest in and support the use of cognitive therapy. Levels of membership include Research Scientist, Professional Colleague, and Student Affiliate. Research scientists are not certified as cognitive therapists but are professionals in the mental health field currently conducting research related to cognitive therapy. Professional colleagues currently hold advanced degrees and provide services in the mental health field. Student Affiliates are not credentialed but are enrolled in a professional program or training program in a mental health discipline. Benefits for members are as follows: participation, subscription to Advances in Cognitive Therapy (ACT and IACP publication), discounted rates for certification, and the ability to promote training programs, lectures, and job opportunities on the ACT website. Members who are credentialed cognitive therapists are premiered in the database of credentialed therapists, which serves as a patient referral source and allows one to highlight one’s specialties and practices.

Future Directions

ACT will continue to credential providers of cognitive therapy, sponsor training initiatives and programs, encourage research in cognitive therapy, and educate consumers and mental health professionals. There will be an increased focus on promoting training and credentialing standards, as well as public awareness of these standards. Efforts will be made to further globalize training standards and the credentialing process. Increasing public awareness of empirically supported treatments and of cognitive therapy in particular will also be a major initiative of ACT.

References