Holy Family University students enrolled in the Master of Counseling Program will have an opportunity to take part in a 16-week course, beginning in January 2024, that incorporates a research study on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) through the world-renowned Beck Institute.

CBT is a form of psychotherapy that has been found to be effective in treating a wide range of psychiatric disorders, psychological problems, and medical conditions with psychological components in over 2,000 clinical studies.

The project partnership will be led by Holy Family University professor Dr. Patrick McElwaine and Dr. Allen Miller of Beck Institute. Students participating in the project will complete one of Beck Institute’s signature on-demand training courses, CBT in Practice, and participate in mock therapy sessions, which will be scored by Beck Institute’s expert faculty.

“Knowing the top-notch reputation and quality of work that comes from Beck Institute, this collaboration provides validation that Holy Family University is providing our students with the best access to evidence-based treatment options, interventions, and training,” McElwaine said. “Studies like this are usually offered to only doctoral-level students, so we are very excited to present this opportunity to our master-level students.

“The goal of the study is to see what effectiveness this course has on our students’ clinical skills. It will allow our students not only to build a strong foundation and develop into effective therapists but also to really make a difference in people’s lives, to meet them where they are, and to help them move toward their personal goals. This partnership will enhance our students’ career potential while greatly impacting the lives of their clients and patients.”

This partnership will not only provide Beck Institute with important information about the effectiveness of its training but will help the organization fulfill its non-profit mission to improve lives worldwide through excellence in CBT. 

“Beck Institute is excited to partner with Holy Family University in providing this learning opportunity for its graduate students. The research design used to structure the course will lead us to a better understanding of effective teaching methods and of how students learn,” said Miller, who designed the curriculum for the CBT in Practice course.

“The outcome will inform our path forward about how best to prepare students to become effective cognitive behavior therapists.”

Learn more about the partnership at Holy Family University.

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