This module will begin by covering the core skills that are common to all psychological therapies and consultation. This relates to the establishing of positive relationships and therapeutic alliances alongside working in teams with an understanding of the role of colleagues from different disciplines in health and social care settings. In particular, students will be introduced to:

• The role of the therapeutic alliance
• Issues relevant to the design and evaluation of interventions including knowledge of: process of formulation based on assessment which informs choice of intervention, psychological approaches to change.
• Appropriate use of communication and interviewing skills such as development of rapport and trust, questioning, reinforcement, reflection of content and feeling and non-verbal communication.
• Knowledge and skills relevant to working with other professionals/Role of collaborative working in interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary teams
• Introduction to basic approaches to intervention

This module will include a combination of face-to-face taught sessions, Independent learning activities to explore theory behind therapeutic approaches and will use the observation suite to run practical workshops applying clinical and therapeutic skills.

Observation Suite (Science Centre)

Students will need to be registered on the MSc Foundations of Clinical Psychology or MSc Health Psychology/Diploma in Health Psychology

Summative Assessment 1: A SIMULATED PRACTICAL OF THERAPEUTIC SKILLS with a service user (Learning Outcomes 1, 2 and 4) (Weighting 30%) This will be a role-play with a reflection element.

Summative Assessment 2: ESSAY examining students’ knowledge and critical evaluation of theory and applications of therapy and clinical practice explored in the module. (Learning Outcomes 2 and 3) (2000 words), (Weighting 70%)

Westbrook, D; Kennerley, H. and Kirk, J. (2011). An Introduction to Cognitive Behaviour Therapy: Skills and Applications. Sage.

Evans, D.R., Hearn, M.T., Uhlemann, M.R., Ivey, A.E. (2008). Interviewing: A programmed approach to effective communication (9th Edition). Cengage Learning.

Gradales, A. (2017). Communication skills (2 in 1 bundle): Building confidence, emotional intelligence. Youniversal Publishing.

1. Develop and apply therapeutic skills including: communication and interviewing skills including establishing rapport and trust, questioning, reflection and non-verbal communication. (Assessment 1)
Application, Problem Solving, Communication

2. Understand assessment, formulation and intervention delivery in 1-2-1 settings.
(Assessments 1 and 2)
Knowledge and Understanding, Problem Solving

3. Demonstrate a critical awareness of the cognitive, emotional and behavioural processes underpinning psychological health and wellbeing (Assessment 2)
Analysis, Enquiry

4. Reflect on own developing skills as a practitioner psychologist. (Assessment 1)
Analysis, Reflection

This module will begin by covering the core skills that are common to all psychological therapies and consultation. This relates to the establishing of positive relationships and therapeutic alliances alongside working in teams with an understanding of the role of colleagues from different disciplines in health and social care settings. In particular, students will be introduced to:

The role of the therapeutic alliance
Issues relevant to the design and evaluation of interventions including knowledge of: process of formulation based on assessment which informs choice of intervention, psychological approaches to change.
Appropriate use of communication and interviewing skills such as development of rapport and trust, questioning, reinforcement, reflection of content and feeling and non-verbal communication.
Knowledge and skills relevant to working with other professionals/Role of collaborative working in interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary teams
Introduction to basic approaches to intervention