PSYC07021 2022 Psychological Therapy
This module examines ways in which psychological theories of personality and mental health are applied to understanding and helping people. Material covered will include the evolution of psychological therapy as a treatment approach, an overview of the main theories and practices of counselling psychology, within the Psychodynamic, Cognitive-Behavioural, and Humanistic-Existential schools, and an introduction to contemporary approaches e.g. Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy, Multicultural Counselling. Consideration will be given to relevant ethical aspects, particularly in relation to communicating about psychology and mental health.
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this module the learner will/should be able to;
Identify and describe the core assumptions of some of the key theorists from the major schools of therapy.
Discriminate critically between approaches to therapy by analysing their premises, goals, therapeutic interventions, and evidence base.
Explain the application of psychological therapy to some mental health issues.
Utilise appropriate ethical principles when communicating about psychological therapy.
Teaching and Learning Strategies
The module will be delivered through lectures and tutorials. Methods may include, guest speakers, case studies, group activities, discussion, directed reading (eg primary sources, journal articles, blog posts), experiential exercises, and video demonstration. Opportunity for formative feedback and feed forward will be incorporated into tutorials. This module is supported by a designated virtual learning environment (Moodle)
Students are expected to engage in approximately 3 Independent Learning Hours per week.
Module Assessment Strategies
Assessment will involve a problem based continuous assessment with a variety of interconnected and complimentary component tasks. Each student will develop and submit a set of resources suitable for making a relevant presentation, they will give a 3 minute 'pitch' of their presentation to the class, and will submit a short supporting report.
Students will have choice within the brief given. Opportunities for formative feedback and feed forward, from both peers and lecturer, will be scheduled throughout the semester. Summative feedback and feed forward will be provided upon completion of the assignment.
The required citation style for this module is American Psychological Association (APA).
Repeat Assessments
Repeat assessment will require completion of course work as appropriate and will be discussed at Examination Board meetings in line with IT Sligo policy.
Indicative Syllabus
LO 1: Identify and describe the core assumptions of some of the key theorists from the major schools of therapy.
- Psychodynamic approaches.
- Theorists such as: Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung, Melanie Klein.
- Cognitive Behavioural approaches.
- Theorists such as: B.F. Skinner, Aaron Beck, Albert Ellis, William Glasser.
- Humanistic Existentialist approaches.
- Theorists such as: Carl Rogers, Victor Frankl, Fritz Perls.
LO 2: Discriminate critically between approaches to therapy by analysing their premises, goals, therapeutic interventions, and evidence base.
- The history, evolution, and future of psychological therapy.
- Techniques, technologies, mental health movements, professional developments, and philosophical paradigms.
- Fundamental assumptions and applications of therapies from each of the major schools.
- Multiculturalism and diversity in counselling and therapy.
LO 3: Explain the application of psychological therapy to some mental health issues.
- Practitioner values and attributes.
- Counselling skills and the therapy process.
- Applications e.g. stress, anxiety, depression.
- The role of technology and the Internet in therapy.
LO 4: Utilise appropriate ethical principles when communicating about psychological therapy.
- Professional and ethical issues relating to psychological therapies.
- Ethical principles, codes, and practices.
- Professionalisation and regulation (eg Psychological Society of Ireland [PSI], CORU).
- Ethical communication about psychology and mental health.
- Recognition of diversity and related practice implications.
Coursework & Assessment Breakdown
Coursework Assessment
Title | Type | Form | Percent | Week | Learning Outcomes Assessed | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Presentation Pack | Project | Assignment | 60 % | Week 11 | 2,4 |
2 | Conceptual Review | Coursework Assessment | Written Report/Essay | 30 % | Week 12 | 1,2 |
3 | Elevator Pitch | Coursework Assessment | Performance Evaluation | 10 % | Week 12 | 3,4 |
Full Time Mode Workload
Type | Location | Description | Hours | Frequency | Avg Workload |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lecture | Lecture Theatre | Lecture | 2 | Weekly | 2.00 |
Tutorial | Flat Classroom | Tutorial | 1 | Weekly | 1.00 |
Independent Learning | Not Specified | Independent Learning | 3 | Weekly | 3.00 |
Required & Recommended Book List
Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy, Enhanced Cengage
ISBN 0357671422 ISBN-13 9780357671429
Personality, Individual Differences and Intelligence Pearson
ISBN 1292090510 ISBN-13 9781292090511
Module Resources
Bateman, A., Brown, D., & Pedder, J. (2010). Introduction to Psychotherapy: An Outline of Psychodynamic Principles and Practice, (4th ed.) Routledge.
Bernstein, D. (2020). Essentials of Psychology (7th ed.) Cengage Learning.
Culley, S., & Bond, T. (2011). Integrative Counselling Skills in Action. SAGE.
Dryden, W., & Reeves, A. (2022). Key Issues for Counselling in Action (2nd ed.). SAGE.
Egan, G. & Reese, R. (2021). The Skilled Helpe (3rd ed.). Cengage Learning EMEA.
Ivey, A., D’Andrea, M., & Bradford Ivey, M. (2012). Theories of Counselling and Psychotherapy: A Multicultural perspective (7th ed.). SAGE.
Rowan, J. (2016). The Reality Game: A Guide to Humanistic Counselling and Therapy (3rd ed.). Routledge.
Sanders, D., & Wills, F. (2005). Cognitive Therapy: An Introduction (2nd ed.). SAGE.
Sanders, P., & Wilkins, P. (2010). First Steps in Practitioner Research: A Guide to Understanding and Doing Research in Counselling and Health and Social Care. PCCS Books.
Stewart, W. (2013). An A-Z of Counselling Theory and Practice (5th ed.). Cengage Learning.
Beck Institute for CBT http://www.beckinstitute.org/
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy http://www.bacp.co.uk/
Carl Rogers site, Saybrook Graduate School http://www.carlrogers.info/
CORU https://www.coru.ie/
Institute of Psychoanalysis http://www.psychoanalysis.org.uk/
Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy http://www.iacp.ie/
Psychological Society of Ireland https://www.psychologicalsociety.ie/
Supplementary Demonstration DVD: Corey, G. (2009), DVD: Theory in Practice: The Case of Stan, (8th Ed.), Brooks/ Cole, CA. [DVD]
As a 5 credit module, the total student independent effort hours for this module are 3 hours per week.