This module aims to help you develop an awareness of the professional issues relevant to clinical and counselling psychology and psychotherapy in the UK. You will learn about the structure of these professions within the National Health Service, and the roles, ways of working and issues and challenges that face clinical practitioners. Themes such as ethics, diversity, and research in clinical settings will be discussed. The module will also provide an introduction to counselling and cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) theory and skills. This will be done by reviewing the concept of counselling and the various counselling paradigms. The core conditions in the therapeutic process are examined and your acquisition of generic counselling skills (eg. listening, attention giving, the effective use of questions, reflection, empathy) is facilitated during interactive workshops. The module then progresses to the CBT component in which fundamentals of this approach are presented. The development of knowledge of CBT skills such as identifying and modifying negative thoughts, promoting behavioural change, guided discovery, relaxation techniques, and mindfulness, are facilitated through the interactive lectures.
This module will be delivered through 22 one-hour weekly keynote lectures followed by one-hour interactive lectures. Keynote lectures will introduce students to the structure of the mental health provision in the UK, CBT and counselling skills. Guest lecturers, who are clinical practitioners, will discuss their work, roles and responsibilities and Kingston lecturers will deliver formal presentations of the relevant theory and research underpinning CBT and counselling skills. During interactive lectures, students will have the opportunity to discuss ethical dilemmas facing clinical practitioners using case examples and will examine a series of key journal articles related to diversity, guided by reflective questions to facilitate deeper engagement with the material and further develop their analytical and presentation skills. Teaching and learning methods will also include video presentations, experiential exercises and role-play of ‘client-counsellor/therapist' dyads to facilitate development of practical competence in counselling skills.
| Definitive UNISTATS Category | Indicative Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching | Lectures | 44 |
| Guided independent study | Independent study | 256 |
| Total (number of credits x 10) | 300 | |
Learning will be assessed via
a) a 3,000-word process report, which incorporates reflection on ethics, culture and diversity, which would contribute 60% towards the final mark, and
b) a 2,000-word CBT report, which would contribute 40%.
The process report incorporating critical reflection will assess student's acquisition of basic counselling skills, awareness of ethical issues in clinical practice, awareness of own cultural and personal material, and the ability to reflect on the impact that all these issues might have on interactions with others, especially clients.
The CBT report will assess knowledge and application of CBT interventions. This will be tested using a clinical vignette, in which students will be required to build a case formulation and recommend appropriate therapeutic interventions.
| Learning Outcome | Assessment Strategy |
|---|---|
| Show awareness and enhanced ability to critically discuss ethical issues in relation to a variety of research and clinical scenarios | Formatively during the lectures and summatively in the process report |
| Critically examine the importance of diversity in the clinical context, and to self-reflect on the impact of own personal and cultural background on their future clinical practice | Formatively during the lectures and summatively in the process report |
| Demonstrate development of analytical and presentation skills. | Formatively during the lectures and summatively in the process report |
| Demonstrate the acquisition of basic counselling skills (e.g. listening, reflection, empathy). | Formatively during the lectures and summatively in the process report |
| Demonstrate knowledge of CBT skills and how these can be applied. | Formatively during the lectures and summatively in the CBT report |
| Description of Assessment | Definitive UNISTATS Categories | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | 3000 word process report | 60 |
| Coursework | 2000 word CBT report | 40 |
| Total (to equal 100%) | 100% | |
It IS a requirement that the major category of assessment is passed in order to achieve an overall pass for the module.
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Websites:
The British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies