module specification

This module focuses on the application of psychological theory and method to the promotion of health and to counselling and treatment of physical and mental illness.
 

Any 4 core level 4 and/or 5 modules taken from the BSc Psychology programme

This module introduces students to Counselling, Health and Abnormal Psychology as applied areas within the discipline to allow informed and realistic decisions about further education and training in counselling, health and clinical psychology. The module aims to critically appraise key perspectives and approaches to counselling, health and abnormal psychology as well as to evaluate diagnoses, explanations and treatments that are applied to a range of physical and mental disorders. Students will have the opportunity to investigate the role played by physiological, psychological and social mechanisms in the causation and treatment of physical illness and psychological disorders.

This module introduces students to the principles and practices of counselling, health and abnormal psychology. The syllabus provides a critical appreciation of the key perspectives including psychodynamic, humanistic, cognitive behavioural and biopsychosocial theories. The module offers various approaches to treatment from a person-centred to a systems approach and covers various issues pertinent to treatment efficacy including the doctor-patient relationship, adherence, stress and coping.  The syllabus gives special attention to the diagnoses, causality and treatment of major psychiatric disorders, including anxiety, substance-use disorders and schizophrenia.

Lectures will deliver core material (e.g., key perspectives, empirical work and theoretical explanations) and will provide a framework for further reading and independent study. Small group workshops will require preparatory work on the part of the students and are a place where students can reflect on their own learning and development.

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate understanding of major theories in counselling, health and abnormal psychology and apply these to real-world issues.
2. Have a critical appreciation of the basic principles of psychological assessment, formulation and treatment planning, and be able to translate this into practice.
3. Discuss critical issues in psychology and evaluate the conceptual and evidential basis for explanations of a range of physical and mental disorders.
4. Evaluate the role psychology plays in health promotion and illness prevention.

The module is assessed via 100% coursework in the form of two equally weighted case study reports. These problem-based learning exercises encourage a deep approach to learning, allow students an opportunity to reflect on their own practice, gain feedback on their performance and apply theory to practice. The first case study report (50%) will be in the form of a clinical case formulation and treatment plan detailing formulation, plans for investigation and relevant treatment/counselling options. The second case study report (50%) allows students to demonstrate independent and original thought by selecting and organising relevant material in the design of a tailored health intervention.

• Kring, A. M., Johnsen, S. L., Davison, C. G., & Neale, J. M. (2012) Abnormal Psychology. Wiley.
• Marks, D. F., Murray, M., Evans, B. & Willig, C. (2011). Health Psychology: Research, Theory and Practice. Sage.
• Morrison, V., & Bennett, P., (2012) Health Psychology: An Introduction. Pearson Prentice Hall.
• Nelson-Jones, R. (2009) Introduction to Counselling Skills. Sage.
• Nelson-Jones, R. (2011) Theory & Practice of Counselling and Therapy. Sage.
• Sue, D., Sue, D., Sue, S., & Sue, D. (2012) Foundations of Abnormal Behaviour. Cengage Learning.