Introductory description

Child and adolescent mental health is one of the key areas of specialisation for professional Clinical Psychologists. This module will provide students in the MSc in Clinical Psychology with a broad theoretical background and introduce them to key professional issues in this specialisation.

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.

1. Introduction to the module
2. Assessnent & formulation
3. Eating disorders
4. Attachment
5. Working with adolescents
6. ASD
7. Behaviour management
8. Common problems in infancy
9. Attachment disorders
10. Sensory regulation

Learning outcomes

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

• Identify and evaluate key factors in the complex origins of psychological disorder in children and adolescents
• Identify and evaluate the effectiveness of therapeutic methods available for young people and families
• Understand and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of different types of research into developmental difficulties
• Appreciate some of the difficulties inherent in supporting children with mental health difficulties.

Indicative reading list

Carr, A. (2016) The Handbook of Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychology: A Contextual Approach.(3rd ed.) London: Routledge.
Dallos, R & Draper, R. (2010) An Introduction to Family Therapy: Systemic Theory and Practice. Open University Press.
Friedberg, R. D. & McClure, J.M. (2002) Clinical Practice of Cognitive Therapy with Children and Adolescents: The Nuts and Bolts. New York: Guilford Press.
Golding, K. S. (2007) Nurturing Attachments: Supporting Children Who Are Fostered Or Adopted. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
Herbert, M. (2002) Typical and Atypical Development: From Conception to Adolescence. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell.

View reading list on Talis Aspire

Subject specific skills

• Understanding and critical evaluation of factors in the origins of psychological disorder in children and adolescents.
• Understanding and critical evaluation of the effectiveness of therapeutic methods
• Understanding and critical evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of different types of research
• Knowledge of some of the difficulties inherent in supporting children with mental health difficulties

Transferable skills

• Effective communication skills to present and justify conclusions and recommendations
• Critical evaluation of primary and secondary sources
• Appreciation of a range of methodologies
• Application of theoretical knowledge to the practical domain