Provider’s Guide to Brief Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a comprehensive program that was developed to help PhD level mental health specialists bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and advanced clinical application by condensing foundational concepts into a highly applicable “Practicing CBT 101” model for rapid training and use in time-limited clinical settings.

The course is structured into 18 modules that transition from essential psychotherapy skills to specific CBT techniques. It begins with foundational modules covering case conceptualization, cultural considerations, and the use of technology, before moving into core CBT interventions such as goal setting, agenda setting, and cognitive restructuring. Specialized modules further address behavioral activation, exposure therapy, problem-solving, and relaxation, culminating in strategies for ending treatment and maintaining long-term change.

Here are some of the possible limitations that could be inherent to the material, given its comprehensive nature: The focus on the brief format imposes a necessary limit on the theoretical and practical depth of the skills taught; The instructional material is not standalone; its educational utility is dependent on external, real-world professional context; The guide focuses on problems suitable for a brief model, which limits the scope of practice taught

Published by the Department of Veterans Affairs, South Central Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC), 2021

Suggested citation:  Cully, J. A., Dawson, D. B., Hamer, J., & Tharp, A. L. (2020). A provider’s guide to brief cognitive behavioral therapy. Department of Veterans Affairs South Central MIRECC.

NAADAC Online CE Completion limits: There is a limit of 8 hours (8 CE) of credit for online courses within a 24-hour period.

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The course will be available in your account immediately after purchase. The Course Completion Certificate and Letter of Completion will be immediately available in your account upon successful completion of the course post-test (a score of 80% or higher) and completion of the course evaluation. You will have unlimited attempts to pass the post-test.

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Page last modified or reviewed by athealth.com on Apr 17, 2026.

Published by the Department of Veterans Affairs, South Central Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC), 2021.

Jeffrey A Culley, PhD - Dr. Cully is a mental health services researcher interested in improving the delivery of evidence-based treatments in non-mental health specialty settings such as primary care. His work focuses on the use of implementation science to improve mental health delivery within the Veterans Health Administration. CV available on request

Darius B Dawson, PhD - Dr. Dawson is an investigator with the South Central Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC) and the Houston Center of Innovation for Quality, Effectiveness, and Safety at the Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center (MEDVAMC) and an assistant professor in the Department of Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine. Dawson received his PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Texas at Austin and completed a pre-doctoral clinical psychology internship at Baylor College of Medicine. He completed advanced postdoctoral training in health services research with the South Central MIRECC at the MEDVAMC. His overarching career goal is to promote health equity in behavioral medicine treatment among underserved populations. His research and clinical expertise are in developing, adapting, and implementing culturally informed, evidence-based treatments in primary care settings. He was awarded an inaugural VA Office of Research and Development Supplement to Promote Diversity, which examined cultural factors associated with mental health treatment and research participation for African American and Hispanic Veterans. He recently received a Health Services Research and Development Career Development Award to develop and test a health communication intervention to increase initiation of tobacco cessation services and to complete an evaluation of tobacco cessation treatment delivery for African American and Hispanic veterans. CV available on request

Joshua Hamer, Ph.D. - Dr. Hamer is a Medical Psychologist with an emphasis in treating patients with headaches, chronic pain, and chronic health conditions. He is a leader in health professions education and evaluation efforts to inform quality improvement and implementation. He has a strong track record in mentoring, curriculum development, and project management. His education, combined with his professional experience, has equipped him with important skills and strengths such as leadership, critical thinking, and cultural competence. His ambition is to use his evaluation and clinical expertise to help push systems toward becoming high reliability organizations with a keen focus on equitable practices and outcomes. CV available on request.

Andra Teten Tharp, PhD. - Dr. Tharp is the Senior Prevention Advisor for the U.S. Department of Defense Office of Force Resiliency and Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office. From 2015-2019, Dr. Tharp served as the Senior Prevention Advisor for the US Air Force Integrated Resilience Office, and from 2008-2015 worked in the Division of Violence Prevention at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, GA. At CDC she held the positions of Behavioral Scientist, Senior Health Scientist, and Acting Chief of the Research and Evaluation Branch. Dr. Tharp has over 80 publications in the areas of trauma and violence, has made numerous presentations at international, national, state or local conferences or meetings, and has received many awards for her work in violence prevention. She has provided clinical care and conducted research with survivors of trauma as well as violence perpetrators. Dr. Tharp is a licensed clinical psychologist and Clinical Assistant Professor at Baylor College of Medicine. CV available on request.

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