A BISHOP Auckland-based doctor is to become the first person from the UK to take part in a prestigious scholarship in the US.

Dr Alison Brabban, from Shotley Bridge, has been appointed a scholar of the Beck Institute for Cognitive Therapy and Research, in Philadelphia.

A consultant clinical psychologist, Dr Brabban will take up the fellowship next month.

Full tuition scholarships are offered by the Beck Institute to individuals who have made and will make contributions to the field of cognitive therapy.

The training programme will see Dr Brabban fly out to Philadelphia to attend three workshops, as well as being able to access weekly telephone supervision with a senior faculty member of the institute.

Chosen for her vast experience and expertise in cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), Dr Brabban was nominated by Dr Page Burkholder, who she supervised while in the US in 2004.

Dr Brabban has already taught in New York, Harvard Medical School in Boston and Beijing.

"Although CBT was initially used to treat anxiety and depression, it is now recognised as an effective intervention in the treatment of the entire spectrum of mental health problems, including schizophrenia," said Dr Brabban.

"I feel privileged to have been given this opportunity to visit the Beck Institute to improve my skills, and to learn from those at the forefront of CBT, including Aaron T Beck himself."