CE358-30 Working with Mental Health and Different Client Groups
Introductory description
This module will build on your understanding of the context of the professional practice of counselling and psychotherapy, continuing to explore ethical, legal and procedural issues in practice, and focusing particularly on mental health, the ways we conceptualise, categorise and treat mental health and how the practice of counselling intersects with other services and provision regionally and nationally. You will explore different ways mental health has been conceptualised historically, culturally and with reference to different theories of counselling, and to evaluate the impact that these conceptualisations have had on people from different groups and backgrounds. You will critically appraise the impact that your own understanding of and assumptions about mental health and ill health could have on your clients and your practice. You will reflect on your own mental health and how you have conceptualised it , how it has been responded to, and how it has impacted on your life and practice.
Module aims
To understand some definitions, categorisations, diagnoses and treatments currently used in the mental health system in the UK
To articulate different ways in which mental health has been defined and conceptualised historically, culturally and theoretically
To explore in depth the potential unequal impact of conceptualisations of mental health on different client groups
To reflect on own perception and conceptualisation of own mental health and its impact on life and practice
To demonstrate ability to work ethically and safely with clients who may be experiencing mental ill health
To understand how to make appropriate assessments, to manage risk, and to follow referral pathways if necessary
To develop ability to work in multi-disciplinary teams and share information appropriately
To evaluate and explore own practice through a case study
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.
Mental health services in the UK and beyond, categorisations, diagnoses and potential treatments
Medical, bio-psycho-social models of conceptualising mental health
Working with clients with a mental health diagnosis, or who may be prescribed psychiatric medication
Working affirmatively within neurodiversity
Making professional decisions around working ethically and safely with mental health - assessing suitability for counselling, managing risk, and understanding potential referral pathways
Theoretical, historical and cultural ways of conceptualising mental health and an understanding of how these conceptualisations have unequally impacted different client groups
Reflection on own experience of mental health
Reflection on and evaluation of own professional practice and relational processes
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- Reflect upon own experiences of and attitudes towards mental health and wellbeing
- Critically appraise ways in which mental health has been conceptualised historically, theoretically and culturally
- Explain how conceptualisations of mental health have impacted on different client groups
- Demonstrate ability to work ethically and safely with clients who may be experiencing mental ill health
- Evaluate own professional practice
Indicative reading list
Reading lists can be found in Talis
Specific reading list for the module
Subject specific skills
Assessment and risk management around mental health
Working ethically and safely with a variety of different client groups
Understanding of diagnoses, systems and services, and potential treatment options
Critical appraisal of various ways of conceptualising mental health
Reflection on personal experience
Awareness of theoretical and relational processes in a therapeutic relationship
Transferable skills
Working ethically and safely with others, applying knowledge of legal and professional guidelines to practice
Working effectively and appropriately sharing information in multi-disciplinary teams
Self reflection and evaluating own practice
Understanding of difference and diversity and systems of privilege and oppression
Understanding of own mental health needs and exploring potential self-care responses
Study time
| Type | Required |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 10 sessions of 1 hour 30 minutes (5%) |
| Seminars | 30 sessions of 1 hour (10%) |
| Tutorials | 2 sessions of 30 minutes (0%) |
| Practical classes | (0%) |
| Private study | 154 hours (51%) |
| Assessment | 100 hours (33%) |
| Total | 300 hours |
Private study description
Reading regarding ethical, legal and mental health considerations. Personal journalling.
Costs
No further costs have been identified for this module.
You must pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Assessment group A1
| Weighting | Study time | Eligible for self-certification | |
|---|---|---|---|
Assessment component |
|||
| Mental Health Reflective Assignment | 40% | 40 hours | Yes (extension) |
|
Reflecting on own experience of and conceptualisations of mental health and wellbeing, with reference to various theoretical understandings and application to practice |
|||
Reassessment component is the same |
|||
Assessment component |
|||
| Case Study | 60% | 60 hours | Yes (extension) |
Reassessment component is the same |
|||
Feedback on assessment
Tutor feedback through in text comments, summative feedback on assignments
Pre-requisites
To take this module, you must have passed:
Courses
This module is Core for:
- Year 3 of UCEA-X1GB Undergraduate Counselling and the Psychotherapeutic Relationship