A DOCTOR based in Bishop Auckland is to become the first person from the UK to take up a special US scholarship.

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

The consultant clinical psychologist will take up the fellowship next month.

Full tuition scholarships are offered by the Beck Institute to individuals who have and will make significant contributions to the field of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT).

Dr Brabban will attend three workshops in Philadelphia and access weekly telephone supervision with a senior faculty member of the institute.

She has already taught in New York, Harvard Medical School, in Boston, and in 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 extremely privileged to have been given this opportunity to visit the Beck Institute to improve my therapeutic skills and to learn from those at the forefront of CBT, including Aaron T Beck himself."