Module PPC-4002:
Approaches and Therapies 1

Module Facts

Run by School of Human and Behavioural Sciences

20.000 Credits or 10.000 ECTS Credits

Semester 1

Organiser: Prof Fay Short

Overall aims and purpose

This module will provide you with an understanding of: • Humanistic Psychology and how that is applied in Person-Centred Therapy • Psychodynamic Psychology and how that is applied in Psychoanalytic Therapy

Carl Rogers’ Person-Centred Therapy and Sigmund Freud’s Psychoanalytic Therapy are two of the most renowned and well-established therapeutic orientations in the counselling world. This module will give you a deep insight into the theories underpinning these therapies and an opportunity to consider it in action in work with clients.

You will learn about how the Humanistic and Psychodynamic psychological approaches are used to understand human nature, with an appreciation of the social and historical development of these approaches. You will then use this knowledge to understand how to manage the therapeutic relationship and apply therapeutic techniques as a Person-Centred Therapist and Psychoanalytic Therapist. This theoretical knowledge will be illustrated with video examples to demonstrate counselling in action. You will also be invited to independently research other therapeutic methods and share your research findings with peers.

Course content

Topics covered in this module include:

  • Approaches, Therapies, and Models in Counselling and Psychotherapy (Observation Skills)
  • History of the Humanistic Approach with focus on Rogers (Carl Rogers and Gloria Video)
  • Humanistic Theories of Human Nature and Personality (Ed Neukrug and Jose Video)
  • Therapeutic Relationship in Person-Centred Therapy (Carl Rogers and Client Video)
  • Therapeutic Techniques in Person-Centred Therapy (Elaine Ward and Phil Video)
  • History of the Psychodynamic Approach with focus on Freud (Vic Sedlak and Peter Video)
  • Psychodynamic Theories of Human Nature and Personality (Jane Goldberg and Group Video)
  • Therapeutic Relationship in Psychoanalytic Therapy (Susie Orbach and Sinead Video)
  • Therapeutic Techniques in Psychoanalytic Therapy (Tina Usherwood and Phil Video)
  • Compare, Contrast, Critique, and Apply (Skilled Helper Model)

Please note that these topics are subject to change dependent on staff availability, unexpected circumstances, and the assessed needs of the students.

Assessment Criteria

threshold

• Limited insight into the interplay between different approaches, therapies, and models • Some knowledge of Humanistic and Psychodynamic Approaches and Person-centred and Psychoanalytic Therapies • Understanding of the main concepts, but with factual errors in non-core concepts • Limited analysis showing only obvious points of evaluation and links between ideas • Limited originality in approach, interpretation, and/or voice • Limited evidence of independent research • Arguments presented but lack coherence with evidence for only some claims • Focused but with some irrelevant material and weaknesses in structure • Acceptable presentation with appropriate expression • Attempt at correct format in appropriate referencing style

good

• Some insight into the interplay between different approaches, therapies, and models • Strong knowledge of Humanistic and Psychodynamic Approaches and Person-centred and Psychoanalytic Therapies • Clear understanding and mostly free of factual errors • Some analysis showing critical evaluation and links between ideas • Some originality in approach, interpretation, and/or voice • Some independent research • Coherent arguments with evidence for most claims • Focused and well structured • Good presentation with accurate and appropriate expression • Mostly correct format in appropriate referencing style

excellent

• Insightful consideration of the interplay between different approaches, therapies, and models • Comprehensive knowledge of Humanistic and Psychodynamic Approaches and Person-centred and Psychoanalytic Therapies • Detailed understanding with no factual errors • Critical analysis showing evaluation and synthesis of ideas • Originality in approach, interpretation, and/or voice • Extensive independent research • Logically defended arguments with evidence for all claims • Highly focused and well structured • Excellent presentation with accurate and appropriate expression • Correct format in appropriate referencing style

Learning outcomes

  1. Compare, contrast, critique, and apply different approaches, therapies, and models, with an understanding of purism, integration, and eclecticism

  2. Describe and critically evaluate the history, social context, theories of nature, and theories of personality from the Humanistic approach

  3. Recognise and critically evaluate the client-therapist relationship and therapeutic techniques of Person-Centred therapy

  4. Describe and critically evaluate the history, social context, theories of nature, and theories of personality from the Psychodynamic approach

  5. Recognise and critically evaluate the client-therapist relationship and therapeutic techniques of Psychoanalytic therapy

  6. Research and present academic theories and empirical research into original integrative and eclectic counselling and psychotherapy

Assessment Methods

Type Name Description Weight
ESSAY Person-Centred Therapy Critical Analysis 1

Essay of 1500wds critically describing and evaluating the applications of the Humanistic approach and Person-centred therapy.

 35.00
ESSAY Psychoanalytic Therapy Critical Analysis 2

Essay of 1500wds critically describing and evaluating the applications of the Psychodynamic approach and Psychoanalytic therapy.

 35.00
INDIVIDUAL PRESENTATION Presentation

Fifteen-minute presentation to introduce, explain, and evaluate an original therapy or therapeutic technique to peers. Presentation should include ten-minutes of prepared content and five-minutes of questions, should use any appropriate visual aids to support the delivery, and must be accompanied by a handout including references.

 30.00

Teaching and Learning Strategy

Hours
Student presentations

Afternoon or morning of presentations to introduce, explain, and evaluate an original therapy or therapeutic technique to peers.

 4
Lecture

Your lectures will present the theories and research for each topic to help you gain an understanding of the process and context of therapy.

 20
Workshop

Your video and discussion sessions will include a video showing of counselling in action followed by a discussion about the use of the approach and therapy by the therapist.

 10
Private study

Your private independent study should focus on watching the videos and reading beyond the lecture content to gain a deeper understanding of the approaches and therapies.

 166

Transferable skills

  • Computer Literacy - Proficiency in using a varied range of computer software
  • Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance
  • Exploring - Able to investigate, research and consider alternatives
  • Information retrieval - Able to access different and multiple sources of information
  • Inter-personal - Able to question, actively listen, examine given answers and interact sentistevely with others
  • Critical analysis & Problem Solving - Able to deconstruct and analyse problems or complex situations. To find solutions to problems through analyses and exploration of all possibilities using appropriate methods, rescources and creativity.
  • Safety-Consciousness - Having an awareness of your immediate environment, and confidence in adhering to health and safety regulations
  • Presentation - Able to clearly present information and explanations to an audience. Through the written or oral mode of communication accurately and concisely.
  • Teamwork - Able to constructively cooperate with others on a common task, and/or be part of a day-to-day working team
  • Mentoring - Able to support, help, guide, inspire and/or coach others
  • Caring - Showing concern for others; caring for children, people with disabilities and/or the elderly
  • Argument - Able to put forward, debate and justify an opinion or a course of action, with an individual or in a wider group setting
  • Self-awareness & Reflectivity - Having an awareness of your own strengths, weaknesses, aims and objectives. Able to regularly review, evaluate and reflect upon the performance of yourself and others

Subject specific skills

  • Understand the scientific underpinnings of psychology as a discipline.
  • Apply multiple perspectives to psychological issues and integrate ideas and findings across the multiple perspectives in psychology.
  • Communicate psychological concepts effectively in written form.
  • Communicate psychological concepts effectively in oral form.
  • Retrieve and organise information effectively.
  • Handle primary source material critically.
  • Engage in effective teamwork for the purpose of collaborating on psychological projects.
  • Be sensitive and react appropriately to contextual and interpersonal psychological factors.
  • Work effectively under pressure (time pressure, limited resources, etc) as independent and pragmatic learners.
  • Problem-solve by clarifying questions, considering alternative solutions, making critical judgements, and evaluating outcomes.
  • Reason scientifically and demonstrate the relationship between theory and evidence.
  • Comprehend and use psychological data effectively, demonstrating a systematic knowledge of the application and limitations of various research paradigms and techniques.
  • Employ evidence-based reasoning and examine practical, theoretical and ethical issues associated with the use of different methodologies, paradigms and methods of analysis in psychology.
  • Be aware of ethical principles and approval procedures.

Resources

Pre- and Co-requisite Modules

Courses including this module

Compulsory in courses: