Advanced CBT skills: Targeting the right cognition for more effective CBT

event image
Topic
Masterclass Series
Start Date
18 May 2026
End Date
18 May 2026
Start Time
6:45pm for 7:00pm (NSW) start
End Time
9:00pm
Venue
Zoom webinar (live-stream)
Contact Name
AACBT
Contact Phone
N/A
Contact Email
events@aacbt.org.au
Max. Attendees
490
Who Can Register?
Anyone

Learn ways to reveal the unspoken thoughts and beliefs that are critical to client change.


Targeting the right cognition for more effective CBT

Event 3 of "Advanced CBT skills: a masterclass series"

Please do not book a single event ticket if you have already booked for the series ticket.

Presented by Dr Chris Basten

University of Technology Sydney

We apologise, but Dr Adrian Allen is no longer able to join this presentation.

This is a series of 8 events, all accessible via Zoom, with 2 hours CPD per event.

Or you may book one or more individual events by clicking through from the descriptions below.

 

* AACBT Student membership is free to anyone studying, or a provisionally registered psychologist.

# Must book to receive event link/s.

** Join now and save!

Venue:

Zoom webinar

All events are NSW-based time zones

This event is live-streamed - please note that this session will be recorded and made available to those who booked

The access link/s will be provided the day prior to those registered

Book the entire masterclass series ticket here


Learn ways to reveal the unspoken thoughts and beliefs that are critical to client change.

This series offers participants bite-size clinical masterclass sessions on eight topics that are common challenges in clinical practice of CBT. Topics include tailoring the individual case formulation, managing the therapeutic relationship, dealing with ‘resistance’ and ambivalence about change, educating clients better, avoiding therapy drift, identifying the cognition that most needs work, increasing the potency of therapy with the right ‘dose’ of behavioural principles and the final session is devoted to preventing and managing burnout. Each session is aimed at clinicians who have a sound working knowledge of CBT principles and techniques. Half of the sessions have co-presenters who have expertise in that area of practice. In addition to some didactic material, training methods include videos of therapy scenarios, group discussion, and opportunities to practice techniques.

  1. Targeting the right cognition for more effective CBT – Monday 18 May 2026

A client will not always be aware of the key cognitive engine that is driving their emotional distress or behavioural difficulties. There is often an emotionally powerful belief or assumption, the ‘hot cognition’, that causes the most intense distress and yet the client may not ever say this out aloud. This masterclass explores the less obvious cognitions that therapists must be aware of, including unspoken assumptions, core beliefs and schemas, internalised rules, and metacognitions. Techniques are provided to help the clinician to elicit the ‘hot cognitions’ and put them into words, while also helping the client to take a more reflective and observer stance. Case examples and vignettes are used for training exercises. There will be opportunities for participants to examine how to employ these techniques immediately with current clients.

 


Key learning objectives:

  1. Increased efficiency in eliciting from the client the unspoken cognition that most need to be addressed in CBT.
  2. Having a range of strategies to explore the core beliefs and rules that a client has that they are yet to be aware of. 

This event is hosted by the e-Branch of AACBT.

 


About this series of events:

Each session is 2-hours total: 90-min presentation plus 30-min Q&A / discussion – bring your thoughts and questions!

Access to Zoom link from 6:45pm for a 7:00pm start (NSW).

Please note that although AACBT will be recording this interactive web-based training, participants must agree to the ‘no recording’ policy and join from a private space where confidentiality can be maintained.

 


This series is aimed at clinicians who have a sound working knowledge of CBT principles and techniques.

 


References will include:

 


 

Chris Basten is a Clinical Psychologist with interests in health psychology and eating disorders. He received his master’s in clinical psychology then a PhD from University of Sydney. He worked for 15 years at Westmead Hospital in consultation-liaison psychiatry and the eating disorders unit. He has casual lecturer roles, including at the University of Technology Sydney and University of NSW. For several years now he has focused on his own practice and training health professionals. Chris is an author of the book ‘The Art of CBT’ and has presented some of his research at conferences and has contributed to several peer review articles.

 

Book the entire masterclass series ticket here

Are there any refunds?
Cancellations attract a 25% processing fee. Cancellations within one week of the event attract a 50% processing fee. Cancellations within 24 hours of the event will not be refunded under any circumstances. If you wish to transfer the name of your registration to someone else there is no charge.

How do I get access to the live-stream?
You will be provided with the Zoom link on the day prior to the event - it is your responsibility to ensure that you have Zoom installed and ready to begin.

How many people may attend per ticket/registration?
A registration is for one person. To successfully manage the event, we expect only one person to join the webinar as part of your registration.

May I record the session?
You agree not to record the meeting in any way. You agree not to distribute materials to other persons without prior agreement.

If I book, will I get access to the AACBT recording?

Yes, we will distribute a limited-time access link after the event has concluded.

 


 

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