module specification

The module aims to enhance student’s awareness of and ability to critically reflect on the potential relevance of issues regarding difference and diversity that arise in the course of contemporary psychological practice. It thus aims to support students’ ability to form effective therapeutic relationships with a range of clients and to promote high standards of non-discriminatory practice and service provision.

• Understanding the relevance of difference and diversity to health service contexts
• The influence of contextual issues on human development and mental health inequalities
• Understanding potential barriers and access to services, relevant policy and research
• Developing awareness of forms of difference and diversity
• Promoting flexible and adaptive service provision and intervention; relevant practitioner skills
• Being critically reflective about difference and diversity discourse
• Reflecting on therapist difference and diversity, self-awareness and implications for practice and relationships
• Managing difficulties arising from difference and diversity LO1,LO2,LO3

The learning and teaching strategy promotes development of the awareness and skills relevant to the learning outcomes using a variety of methods. Lectures, supplementary reading and Weblearn resources promote knowledge and awareness of key concepts, issues and debates. In-class exercises and critical discussion enhance students’ capacities for reflecting on difference and diversity issues and provide opportunities to develop relevant practitioner skills. Discussion of diversity within the student group itself is used to provide a relevant source of learning and insight. Reflection on individual learning and future development is a component of the module’s assessment.

On successful completion of this module students will:

1. Have a critical awareness of forms of difference and diversity, and their relevance to effective and non-discriminatory professional practice and relationships.

2. Show a capacity to form effective non-discriminatory relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds and adapt their practice as appropriate.

3. Be able to critically reflect upon aspects of their own difference, and potential implications for their practice and development.

CORE
Wheeler, S. (2010). Difference and diversity in counselling: contemporary psychodynamic approaches. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

ADDITIONAL

Davies, D. (2000). Therapeutic perspectives on working with lesbian, gay and bisexual clients (Pink Therapy). Milton Keynes: Open University Press.

Lago, C. (2005). Race, culture and counselling: The ongoing challenge. London: Sage.

Palmer, S. (Ed.) (2001). Multicultural counselling: A reader. London: Sage.

Pilgrim, D. & Rogers, A. (2002). Mental health and inequality. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

Proctor, G. (2002). The dynamics of power in counselling and psychotherapy. Ross-on-Wye: PCCS Books.

Storry, M. & Childs, P. (Eds.) (2007). British cultural identities (3rd ed.). London: Routledge.

Sugarman, L. (2004). Counselling and the life course (Professional skills for counsellors series). London: Sage.

West, W. (2004). Spiritual issues in therapy: Relating experience to practice. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

Woolfe, R., Strawbriedge, S., Douglas, B. & Dryden, W. (Eds.) (2009). Handbook of counselling psychology (3rd ed.). London: Sage.

Johns, H. (2010). Personal development in counsellor training (2nd ed.). London: Sage.