Web-Based CBT Training for Individuals

In 2011, The Penn Collaborative developed a web-based training (WBT) course for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. The course was created in an effort to evaluate other cost-saving and efficient methods of disseminating Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to community mental health clinicians in addition to addressing employee turn-over and sustainability. The WBT also allowed the Penn Collab to reach more clinicians by providing trainings outside of the Philadelphia and Pennsylvania regions.  

For more information about the Penn Collaborative web-based training outcomes: Testing a Web-Based, Trained-Peer Model to Build Capacity for Evidence-Based Practices in Community Mental Health Systems

The advantages of web-based training:

• WBT offers clinicians access to training in transdiagnostic case conceptualization–driven cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), regardless of their location;
• Community clinicians in our training program demonstrate levels of CBT competency similar to clinicians in randomized controlled trials - almost unprecedented in the empirical literature;
• WBT is as effective as in-person training in building knowledge and competency but requires fewer resources (e.g., direct cost, lost billable hours, travel);
• WBT can be accessed repeatedly, supporting sustainability and consistency in training standards; and
• Available consultation with implementation experts increases the likelihood that this evidence-based practice will be successfully integrated and sustained over time.

Our web-based training in CBT is the core of the training program and can be tailored with the following components: 

• Option 1: Supplemental tailored live training (in-person, webinar) adapted to the site's primary client population or level of care
• Option 2: Through group supervision facilitated in person or via video conferencing
• Option 3: Certificate of competence based on gold-standard measure of CBT skill (the Cognitive Therapy Rating Scale)
• Option 4: Consultation around implementation readiness

Our WBT outcomes:

• Hundreds of clinicians trained, with 78% reaching a level of competency as high as those in CBT clinical trials
• Low drop-out: fewer than 10% of clinicians choose to withdraw or move to non-eligible agency roles
• Equally highly effective in both traditional (i.e., outpatient) and non-traditional levels of care (Creed et al 2016)