Psychological Therapy - MSc

You will be introduced to the humanistic, psychodynamic and cognitive behavioural models of therapy and encouraged to develop a set of generic counselling psychology skills (including assessment, formulation, treatment planning, intervention strategies and evaluation), underpinned by the core conditions of therapeutic relationships.

This forms a framework which supports trainees’ work in practice placements and within which model specific CBT skills can develop. Areas of core professional knowledge, including diversity, ethics, lifespan development, psychopharmacology, psychometrics, record keeping, evidence based practice and use of supervision are also introduced.

Regular case discussion provides opportunities for you to reflect on your work and learning, and to receive feedback from other students and staff. A central role is also given to facilitating your personal development and self-awareness. You engage in your own personal therapy and participate in reflective practice groups, which promote a capacity to reflect on therapeutic process, and ethical and safe clinical practice.

Teaching on research provides trainees with knowledge, support and practical skills to enable them to utilise a variety of research designs, to carry out a literature review and develop a research proposal in a selected topic area.

Stage / Year 1 topics include:

• Psychological knowledge and models of therapy
• Therapeutic and reflective skills
• Professional and ethical issues
• Working with difference and diversity
• Counselling psychology practice and development
• Advanced research design and analysis for psychology
• Research project and critical skills