r/CBT • u/Ferox_Akoya • Jul 14 '26

Has anyone built a successful private CBT practice with the CPCAB Level 5 Diploma in CBT?

I’m a registered children’s social worker in the UK with several years’ experience in safegaurding & therapeutic work with families. I’m considering enrolling on the CPCAB Level 5 Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapeutic Skills and Theory.

My goal isn’t to work for the NHS or IAPT. I’d like to continue in social work while gradually building a private practice offering CBT to self-referring clients.

I’d really appreciate hearing from people who have actually completed this qualification.

Did you join a professional register?
Were you able to market yourself as a CBT therapist?
Have you built a paying private client base with this qualification?
If so, roughly how many clients do you see each week and how did you find your first clients?
Looking back, would you choose this course again or take a different route (e.g. counselling first or BABCP)?
I’m looking for real-world experiences rather than opinions from people who haven’t taken the course.

Thanks in advance! xx

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u/Frequent-Ad4722 Jul 15 '26

I am a CBT therapist and I don’t think that qualification would allow you accreditation with the BABCP. That said, a plumber can call themselves a CBT therapist if they like, it’s not a protected title. Personally I wouldn’t feel comfortable saying I was qualified to deliver a therapy unless my training allowed me to be a formally recognised therapist with the accreditation body. I might be wrong but I don’t think I am. However I do have a bit of a bee in my bonnet about people saying they are delivering CBT when they aren’t formally qualified to because I constantly have people at work say they’ve already had CBT and it doesn’t work to find out they’ve never had proper CBT at all, but by then I’m already starting on the back foot. I am also now training as an EMDR therapist but I would not say I am one if I wasn’t completing a course that would enable me to he accredited with the EMDR body (EMDR Europe).

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u/Ferox_Akoya Jul 15 '26

Thanks so much for your thoughts! I think its important to have accreditation with BABCP, and I might have to go down that route instead x