Introductory description

NEEDED

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Personal Development (Schon, Kolb, Rogers, Douglas, Bion, Rose).
The Law and Counselling & Psychotherapy (Jenkins).
Ethical Mindfulness and Counselling & Psychotherapy (Barnes & Murdin, Bond).
Introduction to Working with Difference and Cultural Competence.
Working with other professionals in the psychotherapy and counselling field.
Introduction to Mental Health (1) Models for mental health and ill-health; DSM, diagnosis and assessment.
Introduction to Mental Health (2) Understanding anxiety, depression and Introduction to safeguarding, suicidal ideation and self-harm.
Introduction to Mental Health (3) Mental Health and the Law and Psychopharmacology in working with mental health difficulties.
Becoming a reflexive Counselling & Psychotherapy Researcher (Finlay).

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Critically reflect on key aspects of personal development including:Self-awareness, in relation to others.Relational qualities of authenticity, empathy and offering and receiving challenge, as they inform interaction with others on the course.The capacity to express self authentically in a personal development group.The ability to apply insight into personal process and group process relevantly to practice and professional development, including collaborative working on placement.Analyse and critically evaluate personal development theories and their relevance for application to self and practice.The use of personal therapy as a tool for insight and the synthesis of awareness, process and relational qualities.The fostering of a critically reflexive writing and of a research-into-self stance.
• Analyse relevant theory on culture and develop the capacity to develop and consolidate cultural competence, and proactively challenge own pre-conceptions and prejudices in support of this.
• Successfully complete the Mental Health placement and apply, and critically evaluate and synthesise cutting edge learning about Mental Health difficulties, including depression and anxiety.
• Monitor and critically evaluate the capacity to engage with multi-professional working, and synthesise and apply understanding of the roles and approaches needed for effective client support.
• Analyse and critically evaluate knowledge about, and perspectives on, relevant ethical principles and apply these effectively to professional and personal development.
• Analyse and critically evaluate knowledge about, and perspectives, on relevant legal frameworks and apply these effectively to professional and personal development.
• Consistently evidence and synthesise the following cognitive skills:Articulate and critique significant principles and approaches for personal development orally and in well-argued writing, supported by wide reading and research.Synthesise, evaluate and articulate, orally and in well-argued writing, links between theory and principles and key aspects of professional development, supported by wide reading and research.Critically reflect on, and analyse, their own and others’ personal and professional development and processes.
• Consistently evidence and synthesise the following key skills:Evaluate their own achievement and areas for further continuing professional and personal development and that of others; Self-direction and effective decision making in complex and unpredictable continuing professional and personal development situations;Independent learning and the ability to work in a way which ensures continuing professional and personal development;Critically to engage in the development of professional/disciplinary boundaries and norms. The ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing - to include skills such as the ability to articulate principal concepts and arguments relevant to personal and professional development, to give and receive feedback, and to include self-reflection in written communications where appropriate; The ability to work in small groups, with deepening understanding of the dynamics of such groups, informed by personal development theory;The ability to form good, supportive, challenging, trusting relationships with others in which sensitive personal material can be considered.

Indicative reading list

American Psychiatric Association (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th Ed. Washington DC: APA Publications
Finlay J. (2011) Phenomenology for Therapists: Researching the Lived World. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell
Jenkins, P. (2006). Counselling Psychotherapy and the Law (2nd edition) London: Sage.
Lago C. (2011). The handbook of transcultural counselling and psychotherapy. Maidenhead: O.U. Press
Mcleod J. and Mcleod J. (2014). Personal And Professional Development For Counsellors, Psychotherapists And Mental Health Practitioners. Maidenhead: O.U. Press
Wright, J. & Bolton, G. (2012). Reflective Writing in Counselling and Psychotherapy. London: Sage.

Subject specific skills

Critically reflect on key aspects of personal development including:
Self-awareness, in relation to others;
Relational qualities of authenticity, empathy and offering and receiving challenge, as they inform interaction with others on the course;
The capacity to express self authentically in a personal development group;
The ability to apply insight into personal process and group process relevantly to practice and professional development, including collaborative working on placement;
Analyse and critically evaluate personal development theories and their relevance for application to self and practice;
The use of personal therapy as a tool for insight and the synthesis of awareness, process and relational qualities;
The fostering of a critically reflexive writing and of a research-into-self stance.
Analyse relevant theory on culture and develop the capacity to develop and consolidate cultural competence, and proactively challenge own pre-conceptions and prejudices in support of this.
Successfully complete the Mental Health placement and apply, and critically evaluate and synthesise cutting edge learning about Mental Health difficulties, including depression and anxiety.
Monitor and critically evaluate the capacity to engage with multi-professional working, and synthesise and apply understanding of the roles and approaches needed for effective client support.
Analyse and critically evaluate knowledge about, and perspectives on, relevant ethical principles and apply these effectively to professional and personal development.
Analyse and critically evaluate knowledge about, and perspectives, on relevant legal frameworks and apply these effectively to professional and personal development.
Consistently evidence and synthesise the following key skills:
Evaluate their own achievement and areas for further continuing professional and personal development and that of others;
Self-direction and effective decision making in complex and unpredictable continuing professional and personal development situations;
Independent learning and the ability to work in a way which ensures continuing professional and personal development;
Critically to engage in the development of professional/disciplinary boundaries and norms;
The ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing - to include skills such as the ability to articulate principal concepts and arguments relevant to personal and professional development, to give and receive feedback, and to include self-reflection in written communications where appropriate;
The ability to work in small groups, with deepening understanding of the dynamics of such groups, informed by personal development theory;
The ability to form good, supportive, challenging, trusting relationships with others in which sensitive personal material can be considered.
Consistently evidence and synthesise the following cognitive skills:
Articulate and critique significant principles and approaches for personal development orally and in well-argued writing, supported by wide reading and research;
Synthesise, evaluate and articulate, orally and in well-argued writing, links between theory and principles and key aspects of professional development, supported by wide reading and research;
Critically reflect on, and analyse, their own and others’ personal and professional development and processes.

Transferable skills

NEEDED