CBT Step 1 for psychiatry residents – what is required and how does it work?
Foundation psychotherapy training is part of specialist training in psychiatry. We cover what the National Board of Health and Welfare and the Swedish Psychiatric Association require, and how a CBT Step 1 fits into your residency.
Psyklinisk editorial team
Clinicians and CBT educators
Doctors in specialist training (ST) in psychiatry must complete a foundation psychotherapy training. It used to be called "Step 1", and most clinics still use that name. Here we describe what the regulations say, what the Swedish Psychiatric Association recommends and how you can plan the training with your supervisor.
Why psychotherapy is part of ST
The psychiatrist is responsible for assessment, treatment decisions and follow-up, often together with a team. To judge when psychological treatment fits, when it does not, and how it works alongside medication, the doctor needs personal experience of delivering psychotherapy. The Swedish Psychiatric Association (SPF) states that foundation psychotherapy training is part of ST, together with scientific work and quality improvement work.
The relevant objectives
In the National Board of Health and Welfare's curriculum for psychiatry (HSLF-FS 2021:8), objective STc9 is the one mainly concerned with psychological treatment. The doctor should know the theoretical foundations of different psychological treatments, be able to assess which method suits different conditions and be able to manage patients with psychological treatment. Under SOSFS 2015:8 the corresponding objective is c9.
SPF also suggests foundation psychotherapy training as a course for parts of STb1, communication with patients and relatives, and STc8. The training can therefore contribute to more objectives than STc9.
What SPF adds
SPF's recommendations are more concrete than the regulation. The resident should be able to build and maintain a good alliance and know the indications and contraindications for common psychological treatments. The doctor should also be able to combine medication with psychological treatment and know how treatments are evaluated and documented.
- Patient work is supervised by a licensed psychotherapist trained in supervision.
- Theory and practical skills should be integrated, and the course should alternate with clinical work.
- Time for theoretical study should be set aside throughout ST, at least two hours a week.
Certificates for the specialist application
STc9 requires two certificates on the National Board's forms: one for course participation and one for supervised clinical work. The course certificate is issued by the course leader. Your main supervisor and head of department then make the overall assessment of whether the competence requirements are met.
How our CBT Step 1 fits
Psyklinisk's foundation psychotherapy training in CBT corresponds to 45 higher education credits. It includes 240 hours of teaching and 120 hours of supervision in groups of at most four, and is studied remotely at 50 or 75 percent pace.
The theory covers the conditions you meet in psychiatry: depression, anxiety disorders, OCD, eating disorders, addiction, personality problems, bipolar disorder, ADHD, autism and PTSD. A separate module covers psychopharmacology and how medication and CBT work together. During the last two terms you carry out supervised treatments with patients from your own clinic, where the provider’s procedures apply and you have personal duties concerning medical records and confidentiality as a doctor. Sharing patient information for training requires a separate assessment of legal basis, confidentiality and data protection.
I am a doctor and completed the foundation psychotherapy programme at Psyklinisk during my specialist training in psychiatry. The training is entirely remote, which gives great flexibility. The digital group supervision was extremely valuable, with a clear clinical link.
The requirements and our training side by side
On the course page, under "Who is the course for?", there is a summary for residents showing each requirement and how the training meets it. You can also download it as a PDF.
Frequently asked questions
› Does the psychotherapy training have to be CBT?
No, the curriculum does not specify an orientation. CBT is the most common in regional ST programmes, and a good training also gives an orientation in other evidence-based methods.
› Can I study alongside clinical work?
Yes, and SPF recommends exactly that. The training is part-time so you can use what you learn in your daily work.
› Does the training qualify me for the psychotherapist programme?
It corresponds to the foundation training required to apply. Admission is decided by each university.
Ready to start?
The next course start is listed on the course page. Applying takes a few minutes and we reply within a few working days.
This article was compiled by Psyklinisk's editorial team for information and educational purposes and does not replace medical or psychological assessment, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a doctor, psychologist or other licensed healthcare professional about your own concerns.
