module specification

The module aims to support, integrate and evaluate a variety of aspects of students’ personal and professional development as they progress through Year 1 of the programme and begin their work supervised practice placement settings. It also aims to provide opportunities for students to regularly discuss and reflect on their practice and learning with their peers and members of the course team. It constitutes an important context in which development of key aspects of HPC and BPS frameworks can be supported and assessed.

• Placement induction and related information
• Supervised practice placements
• Participating in reflective practice groups
• Undertaking personal therapy
• Keeping a reflective journal
• Mid-year review
• End-of-year appraisal LO1,LO2,LO3,LO4,LO5,LO6,LO7,LO8

The learning and teaching strategy utilises a variety of methods to support achievement of the learning outcomes. Placement induction helps prepare students for undertaking work in practice placements and develops understanding of a variety of relevant issues, including approval requirements and processes. Experience in placements and supervision enables students to develop an ability to practice safely and effectively in a model of psychological therapy at a level appropriate to their stage of training. Reflective practice groups provide a context for student led learning and discussion of cases, which enhance their ability to reflect on their work and relationships with clients. Keeping a reflective journal promotes skills in autonomous reflective learning. Personal therapy provides a supportive context for enhancing self awareness and robustness. Mid year reviews and end of year appraisals develop students’ capacities for self-appraisal and planning of their learning, and for using feedback constructively.

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate a range of core professional competencies in their practice placement work and other areas of the programme

2. Effectively integrate their academic and theoretical and practical learning into their placement work and professional development

3. Practise safely and effectively within a recognised model of psychological therapy at a level appropriate to their stage of training

4. Critically reflect on, evaluate and plan their learning and professional development

5. Make effective use of supervision, personal therapy and reflective practice groups to promote reflective capacity and clinical understanding

6. Use and respond to feedback in an open and constructive manner, and take responsibility for their practice and conduct

7. Demonstrate high standards of professionalism and integrity in their work and relationships with others, including clients, trainees, placement and programme staff

8. Demonstrate robustness and effective self-management with regards to the clinical, academic, personal and workload demands of the course

CORE
Bor, R. & Watts. M.H. (2010). The trainee handbook: A guide for counselling and psychotherapy trainees. London: Sage.

ADDITIONAL

Bolton, G. (2010). Reflective practice: Writing and professional development (3rd ed.). London: Sage.

British Psychological Society, Code of ethics and conduct, www.bps.org.uk

British Psychological Society, Division of Counselling Psychology Professional Practice Guidelines, www.bps.org.uk

British Psychological Society, Accreditation through partnership handbook: guidance for counselling psychology programmes:  www.bps.org.uk/accreditationdownloads

Health Professions Council, Standards of conduct and ethics for students: www.hpc-uk.org

Health Professions Council, Standards of proficiency for practitioner psychologists: www.hpc-uk.org

Hughes, J. & Youngson, S. (2009). Personal development and clinical psychology. London: Wiley-Blackwell.

London Metropolitan University, Professional Doctorate in Counselling Psychology, Practice placement database.

London Metropolitan University, Professional Doctorate in Counselling Psychology, Practice placement provider handbook.

London Metropolitan University, Professional Doctorate in Counselling Psychology, Practice placement trainee handbook.

Skovholt, T.M. & Ronnestad, M.H. (1995). The evolving professional self: stages and themes in therapist and counselor development. New York: Wiley.