University of the West of England

MODULE SPECIFICATION

(Revised November 2002)

Code: USPJK6-15-M Title: Working with Common Presenting Problems in Counselling Psychology

Version: 3

Level: UWE credit rating: 15 ECTS credit rating: 7.5

Module type: Standard

Owning Faculty: Applied Sciences Field:

Valid from: September 2006 Discontinued from:

Pre-requisites: None

Co-requisites: None

Excluded combinations: None

Learning outcomes:

    When they have successfully completed this module, students will be able to demonstrate:

    1. Critical awareness of a range of presenting problems across the life-span and in varying contexts

    2. Ability to formulate work within a cycle of assessment, intervention and evaluation

    3. Ability to conduct appropriate risk assessment using this to guide practice .

    4. Critical awareness of the interaction and relationship of differing presenting problems and consider the implications for practice taking into account the client's physical, social and relational environment

    5. Recognise issues arising from own practice

    6. Develop critical knowledge of theoretical approaches to the range of common presenting problems and the ability to apply this to client presentation

    7. Reflective awareness of personal responses to complex and unpredictable situations.

    8. Ability to make appropriate use of supervision, referral, peer support and consultation and the resources of a multi-disciplinary team

Syllabus outline:

Psychological knowledge: Theories relevant to presenting problems of substance misuse,

    self-harm, sexual abuse, suicidal ideation, depression, eating difficulties, transitions, psychosis, bereavement, .

    Personal development: Personal exploration of relevance of common presenting problems and how this relates to counselling psychology practice

    Professional issues/client work: Explore case examples drawn from students' experience of working with common presenting problems

    Recognition of client presentation, symptoms and behaviour and ability to select, conceptualise and apply appropriate therapuetic interventions drawing on evidence-based practice

Teaching and learning methods:

    1. Lectures from Core Staff and Visiting Specialists; workshops; seminars; case study presentations and discussions; role plays and experiential exercises; video demonstrations and discussion

Reading Strategy

All students will be encouraged to make full use of the print and electronic resources available to them through membership of the University. These include a range of electronic journals and a wide variety of resources available through web sites and information gateways. The University Library’s web pages provide access to subject relevant resources and services, and to the library catalogue. Many resources can be accessed remotely. Students will be presented with opportunities within the curriculum to develop their information retrieval and evaluation skills in order to identify such resources effectively.

This guidance will be available either in the module handbook, via the module information on UWEonline or through any other vehicle deemed appropriate by the module/programme leaders.

    Haas, L J. (Ed) (2004). Handbook of primary care psychology. NY: OUP.

    Joseph, S. (2001). Psychopathology and therapeutic approaches: An introduction. Houndmills: Palgrave

    Kinderman, P. & Cooke, A. (Eds) (2000). Recent advances in understanding mental illness and psychotic experiences. Leicester: British Psychological Society

    Lemma, A. (1996). Introduction to psychopathology.London: Sage

    Sommerbeck, L. (2003). The client-centred therapist in psychiatric contexts. Herefordshire: PCCS

Assessment

Weighting between components A and B (standard modules only) A: 100% B:

ATTEMPT 1

First Assessment Opportunity

Component A (controlled) Element weighting

PP1

Seminar presentation of working with a presenting problem, drawing on client work, to include annotated reference list

1

 

  

  

 

  

  

Component B

Description of each element Element weighting

     
 

  

  

 

  

  

Second Assessment Opportunity (further attendance at taught classes )

Component A

Description of each element Element weighting

CW1

Process report (2,000 words) and tape

1

 

  

  

 

  

  

 

  

  

Component B

Description of each element Element weighting

     
 

  

  

 

  

  

 

  

  

 

  

  

SECOND (OR SUBSEQUENT) ATTEMPT Attendance at taught classes is required.

Specification confirmed by …………………………………………………Date ……………………………

(Associate Dean/Programme Director)

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