Clinical Practice, Workshops & Development: Critical Psychopathology   

Credits: 20   Period: 1   Type: Core

The module aims to develop your understanding of integration by developing a number of specific core competencies and proficiencies as a counselling psychology practitioner in training: the module aims to create a bridge between your role as a trainee and professional peer in the community of research and practice. The module consists of a year-long programme of study, focusing on the critical application of models to practice in counselling psychology, personal and professional development activities, supervised clinical practice, workshops and seminars and university based reflexive practice group. 1. You will seek a professional placement within a psychological service, and undertake therapeutic practice work, under the supervision of a suitably qualified psychological practitioner (a counselling or clinical psychologist, or a supervisor belonging to a suitably accredited body and approved by the Cohort Tutor). You must complete a total of 450 hours of client contact over the duration of the course and a total of 56 hours of supervision (a ratio of 1:8). Therefore, successful completion of this module requires a minimum of supervised 100 client contact hours (a maximum of 150 may be submitted). 2. A minimum of 80% attendance of sessions is required to complete this course. 3. A total of 40 hours of personal therapy must be attended throughout the overall programme. You are advised to consider beginning this engagement during year one. You will be arranging this for yourself and meet any fees that are incurred. The personal therapist is required to supply evidence that you have met the attendance requirement. All personal therapists must be approved by your cohort tutor or programme lead. The therapist approval criteria could be located for review on your online programme hub. You are required to keep a reflexive personal journal of personal and professional development, personal/ peer reviews and critical reports throughout the module and a summarised version of those will form a part of the summative assessment for this module. It is expected that the three components of personal development mentioned above will contribute to the weblog.

Conducting and Interpreting Research

Credits: 40   Period: 1   Type: Core

In this module, students are able to gain a considerable portfolio of knowledge and skills to support them in interpreting published research in both psychology and allied fields, and in conducting their own psychological research. Students are encouraged to gain a critical understanding of the various epistemological positions taken by psychological researchers, and study the research methods concomitant with these philosophical assumptions. Students learn advanced literature searching and, through synthesis of published research, how to identify knowledge gaps and research questions. As the module proceeds, students have practice at developing such a research idea into a feasible and ethically sound research protocol. Both quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis techniques are covered, the former to an advanced level. Students learn how to select, administer, and score psychometric instruments. Whilst psychometrics are taught in the research setting, their applied use is also discussed. This will include the historical development of psychometric theory. Students will be required to demonstrate competence in the administration and interpretation of tests of cognitive ability and providing verbal and written feedback. Students will also be introduced to procedures of test construction and test validation and will be required to demonstrate an understanding of validation methodology. At the end, students will study research methodology relating to their specific courses; Counselling Psychology, Cyberpsychology, Forensic Psychology and Occupational Psychology, in order to prepare then further for the independent research project.

Psychological Theory and Therapy: CBT

Credits: 20   Period: 1   Type: Core

The module aims to develop a number of specific core competencies and proficiencies in you as counselling psychology practitioners in training. By studying this module, you will be expected to inform your practice of counselling psychology from a cognitive-behavioural psychological understanding of clients’ difficulties. By enhancing your clinical awareness of cognitive-behavioural theory, you will be able to use the approach in your psychological assessment, formulation and intervention of clients presenting with a range of problems. You will be able to assess the appropriateness and suitability of utilising a cognitive-behavioural model of intervention through reflection, application to theory and in particular with regards to the individual needs of clients. You will also be able to present your work in a professional, well-structured and informative manner in both an academic and clinical context. In learning about the cognitive-behavioural approach of working with clients, your ability to critique the approach will be enhanced and demonstrated within your written assignment. Via small experiential skills group-work, you will practice and acquire skills in cognitive-behavioural assessment, formulation and intervention. Through reflection, self-awareness and skills practice, you will be encouraged to recognise the contribution of therapist and client variables to the therapeutic process and show the use of appropriate skills to form a therapeutic relationship. You will demonstrate your learning of cognitive-behavioural skills through the written assignment and through class presentation of a role-play skills video. You will demonstrate sensitivity to clients’ needs and work in accordance with the HCPC and BPS Code of Conduct and Ethical Practice at all times. Through your learning on this module, you will develop the capacity to critically evaluate the appropriateness and/or effectiveness of the cognitive-behavioural approach to your work with clients.

Psychological Theory & Therapy: Humanistic Approach

Credits: 20   Period: 1   Type: Core

This module is a first year Level 7 module within the DPsych professional training programme in Counselling Psychology. The module aims to develop a number of specific core competencies and proficiencies in you as counselling psychology practitioners in training. By studying this module, you will be expected to inform your practice of counselling psychology from a humanistic understanding of clients’ difficulties. By enhancing your awareness of humanistic philosophy and theory, you will be able to use humanistic, particularly person-centred, approaches in your psychological work with clients. Through reflection, application to theory and reference to the individual needs of clients, you will be able to establish the appropriateness of working in humanistic frameworks with clients. You will also be able to present your work in a professional, well-structured and informative manner in both an academic and clinical context. In learning about the humanistic approach, your ability to critique the approach will be enhanced and demonstrated within your written assignment. Via small experiential skills group-work, you will practice and acquire skills in humanistic therapy. Through reflection, self-awareness and skills practice, you will be encouraged to recognise the contribution of therapist and client variables to the therapeutic process and show the use of appropriate skills to form a therapeutic relationship. You will demonstrate learning of humanistic skills through the written assignment and through class presentation of a role-play skills video. You will demonstrate sensitivity to clients’ needs and work in accordance with the BPS Code of Conduct and Ethical Practice, and the HCPC code of ethics at all times. Through your learning on this module, you will develop the capacity to critically evaluate the appropriateness and/or effectiveness of the humanistic approach to your work with clients. In addition you must show an understanding of the philosophical underpinnings of the humanistic approach and how this informs your work with clients. Through reflecting upon your work with clients, you will develop an awareness of the links between humanistic theory and counselling psychology practice. The ability to demonstrate ethical practice in line with clients’ needs is vital.

Research Project (Counselling)

Credits: 60   Period: 1   Type: Core

This research project is an independent study in which students will investigate and conduct a significant/systematic literature review on a topic of their interest, plan, manage and execute a programme of research and analysis. Through some teaching and learning methods, students will develop skills in critical thinking, report writing and could present their work in progress at the end of year research conference. Students will also engage with research tutors who will provide support, guidance and formative feedback on their progress and written reports during the module.

Systemic & Contextual Issues in Counselling Psychology

Credits: 20   Period: 1   Type: Core

The module aims to develop several specific core competencies and proficiencies in you as a counselling psychology practitioner in training. By studying this module, you will develop a theoretical framework and apply a systemic understanding of client issues within Counselling Psychology. By enhancing your awareness of social constructionism and systemic theory you will begin to approach people and their problems within the context of nested systems. The module considers communication patterns between people and the belief systems that give meaning to actions and experiences. The impact of change, such as family separations will be considered, along with the dynamics of working within a systems approach. Through reflection, application to theory and reference to the individual needs of clients, you will be able to establish the appropriateness of working in systemic frameworks. You will demonstrate learning of systemic principles through engagement with experiential and reflexive tasks. You will be able to present your work in a well-structured and informative manner. The module aims to provide a theoretical foundation for systemic working focusing on work with individuals, couples and families. Emphasis will be placed on systemic reflexivity and the development of non-discriminative practice.

Advanced Practice & Development 1: Integration and Critical Application in Counselling Psychology.

Credits: 20   Period: 2   Type: Core

This is a Level 8 Clinical practice module on the Professional Doctorate programme in Counselling Psychology. The module aims to develop your understanding of therapy integration by developing a number of specific core competencies and proficiencies as a counselling psychology practitioner in training: the module aims to create a bridge between your role as a trainee and professional peer in the community of research and practice. The module consists of a year-long programme of study, focusing on the critical application of models to practice in counselling psychology, personal and professional development activities, supervised clinical practice, workshops and seminars and a university-based reflexive practice group. 1.Trainees will seek a professional placement within a psychological service, and undertake therapeutic practice work, under the supervision of a suitably qualified psychological practitioner (a counselling or clinical psychologist, or a supervisor belonging to a suitably accredited body and approved by the Cohort Tutor). You must complete a total of 450 hours of client contact over the duration of the course and a total of 56 hours of supervision (a ratio of 1:8). Therefore, successful completion of this module requires a minimum of 150 hours of client contact (a maximum of 220 may be submitted). 2. A minimum of 80% attendance of sessions is required to complete this course. 3. A total of 40 hours of personal therapy must be attended throughout the overall programme. You are advised to engage with personal therapy throughout training. The personal therapist is required to supply evidence that you have met the attendance requirement. All personal therapists must be approved by your cohort tutor or programme lead. You are required to keep a reflexive personal journal of personal and professional development, personal/ peer reviews and critical reports throughout the module and a summarised version of those will form a part of the summative assessment for this module. It is expected that the three components of personal development mentioned above will contribute to the weblog.

Psychological Theory & Therapy: Human Development and Psychodynamic Approaches

Credits: 20   Period: 2   Type: Core

This module is a level 8 module within the Professional Doctorate in counselling psychology programme. In this module trainees will learn the key principles and theoretical frameworks underpinning the understanding of the mental health adjustment from childhood through to older age. The module has two units. Unit one will provide training on the conceptual basis for considering human development across the lifespan. The unit will encourage the trainees to look at the mental health adjustment as a process that occurs over time, involving an interaction of the individual differences, developmental factors and socio-cultural contexts. Unit two of the module aims to inform current clinical practice with psychodynamic concepts and focuses on how to apply the approach in a relational manner. Trainees will work on developing specific core competencies and proficiency to enrich the therapeutic alliance, focusing on the explicit and implicit communications. The module and associated readings will provide a theoretical introduction to the psychodynamic approach within the context of counselling psychology. We will cover the classical approaches of Freud, Jung and the British Independent movement, along with current Object Relations trends. The module aims to support you to apply lifespan theories and psychodynamic models to your current clinical practice by focusing on intraspychic inter-subjective and relational aspects of the therapeutic relationship.

Thesis

Credits: 300   Period: 2   Type: Core

The module aims to support the development of advanced competence in applied psychological research. At the end of the module, students will make an original contribution to professional practice through systematic enquiry. The module will enable students to design, execute and write up publishable research in accordance with standards for qualification outlined by the HCPC and BPS. This module comprises a doctoral portfolio of up to 40,000 words. As preparation for the module, candidates will be supported in the development of an expression of interest, appointment of a supervisory team, and development of a proposal within the level 7 module; 7PS021 Research Project. In accordance with the University of Wolverhampton Professional Doctorate Regulations (2021), the thesis module commences in Stage 2 following the completion of all Level 7 modules. Following approval of a proposal, students will meet with the supervisory team regularly. Before data can be collected ethical approval must be gained from within the University and, if necessary, from external ethics committees. This research should be written up according to guidelines in the Module Guide (on canvas), the University Research Degree Regulations, and in accordance with the ethical framework provided by the British Psychological Society. Throughout the research process, students are required to keep a record of meetings with their supervisors and also to complete annual progress reviews.

Advanced Practice & Development 2: Professional Issues in Counselling Psychology

Credits: 20   Period: 3   Type: Core

This Level 8 module is the concluding part of your Clinical practice as a trainee on a Professional Doctorate in Counselling Psychology programme. Trainees must pass 8PS012 before progressing to this module. The module aims to develop autonomy and leadership by developing some specific core competencies and proficiencies in you as a counselling psychology trainee. The module aims to create a bridge between your role as a trainee and professional peer in the community of research and practice. This is a year-long module and includes the critical application of models to practice in counselling psychology, personal and professional development activities, supervised clinical practice, workshops and seminars and a university-based reflexive practice group. 1.You will continue with professional placement within a psychological service, and undertake therapeutic practice work under the supervision of a suitably qualified psychological practitioner (a counselling or a clinical psychologist, or a supervisor belonging to a suitably accredited body and approved by the Cohort Tutor). You will need a minimum of 150 client contact hours (or maximum of 220 may be submitted) to pass the module. But you must have completed a total of 450 hours of client contact and a total of 56 hours of supervision (a ratio of 1:8) by the end of this module. 2. A minimum of 80% attendance of sessions is required to complete the course. 3. You must have completed a total of 40 hours of personal therapy attendance by the end of this module. You are advised to continue with therapy through your training. All personal therapists must be approved by your cohort tutor or programme lead. You are required to keep a reflexive personal journal of personal and professional development, personal/peer reviews and critical reports throughout the module and a summarised version of those will form a part of the summative assessment for this module. It is expected that the three components of personal development mentioned above will contribute to the weblog.