Module PPC-4006:
Approaches and Therapies 2
Approaches and Therapies 2 2025-26
PPC-4006
2025-26
School of Psychology & Sport Science
Module - Semester 2
20 credits
Module Organiser:
Fay Short
Overview
PPC4006 Approaches and Therapies 2 aims to provide you with an understanding of cognitive and behavioural psychology and the associated cognitive therapy and behaviour therapy. You will gain an insight into the theories of human nature adopted within these areas of psychology and then develop an applied appreciation of how this psychological knowledge can be used to enhance and develop the therapeutic relationship. You will be assessed on this module through an essay critically analysing and integrating these approaches and therapies. The module will conclude with an assessed presentation in which you can share your own therapeutic philosophy with your peers.
PPC4006 Approaches and Therapies 2 will provide you with a deeper understanding of the psychological and therapeutic foundations for two of the most renowned and well-established therapeutic orientations in the counselling world. Cognitive behaviour therapy (or CBT) has been of the fastest growing integrative therapies, and the strong evidence base behind the techniques used in CBT have made it the treatment of choice in the NHS. However, training in CBT often fails to consider the unique features of the two different elements: cognitive and behavioural. These two approaches in psychology have historically been bitterly opposed to each other, so it is fascinating to see how they are now integrated together into one of the most popular therapies in the modern world. Understanding the psychology behind these two unique approaches and how the techniques are used with clients will give a valuable foundation to being able to integrate these methods into practice. You will learn how the cognitive and behavioural psychological approaches are used to understand human nature, with an appreciation of the social and historical development of each of these approaches. You will use this knowledge to understand how to manage the therapeutic relationship and apply therapeutic techniques as a cognitive therapist and behaviour therapist. This theoretical knowledge will be illustrated with video examples to demonstrate counselling in action. You will then be supported in reflecting on your own practice to present your own unique philosophy grounded in person-centred, psychoanalytic, cognitive, and behavioural therapies.
Topics covered in this module include: •History of the Behavioural Approach with focus on Skinner •Behavioural Theories of Human Nature and Personality •Therapeutic Relationship in Behaviour Therapy •Therapeutic Techniques in Behaviour Therapy •History of the Cognitive Approach with focus on Beck •Cognitive Theories of Human Nature and Personality •Therapeutic Relationship in Cognitive Therapy •Therapeutic Techniques in Cognitive Therapy •Cognitive Behaviour Therapy •Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy
Please note that these topics are subject to change dependent on staff availability, unexpected circumstances, and the assessed needs of the students.
Assessment Strategy
Assessment criteria for this module are:
Excellent (A*, A+, A, A-) •Insightful consideration of the interplay between different approaches, therapies, and models •Comprehensive knowledge of behavioural and cognitive Approaches and behaviour and cognitive Therapies •Detailed understanding with no factual errors •Critical analysis showing evaluation and synthesis of ideas •Novel and innovative originality in approach, interpretation, and voice •Extensive and comprehensive 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
Good (B+, B, B-) •Clear insight into the interplay between different approaches, therapies, and models •Strong knowledge of behavioural and cognitive Approaches and behaviour and cognitive Therapies •Clear understanding and mostly free of factual errors •Some analysis showing critical evaluation and links between ideas •Novel originality in approach, interpretation, and voice •Considerable independent research from appropriate sources •Coherent arguments with evidence for most claims •Focused and well structured •Clear presentation with accurate and appropriate expression •Mostly correct format in appropriate referencing style
Threshold (C+, C, C-) •Some insight into the interplay between different approaches, therapies, and models •Basic knowledge of behavioural and cognitive Approaches and behaviour and cognitive Therapies •Understanding of the main concepts with no major factual errors •Basic analysis showing obvious points of evaluation and links between ideas •Some originality in approach, interpretation, and/or voice for part of the work •Some independent research from appropriate sources •Arguments presented with evidence for the most important claims •Readable structure showing focus at times •Acceptable presentation with appropriate expression •Attempt at correct format in appropriate referencing style with no major errors
If you do not meet the threshold, then your work will be graded as a Fail. Fail grades vary from Poor (D+, D, D-, E+, E, E-) to Very Poor (F).
Learning Outcomes
- Compare, contrast, critique, and apply psychological interventions with an understanding of therapies based on eclecticism and integration
- Describe and critically analyse the social context and theories of human nature from the behavioural approach then apply this in practice to evaluate the client-therapist relationship and therapeutic techniques of behaviour therapy
- Describe and critically analyse the social context and theories of human nature from the cognitive approach then apply this in practice to evaluate the client-therapist relationship and therapeutic techniques of cognitive therapy
- Research and present own therapeutic philosophy integrating theories of counselling and psychotherapy
Assessment method
Essay
Assessment type
Summative
Description
Analysis and Integration: BT and CT (70%) Essay of 1500wds critically describing and evaluating cognitive therapy and behaviour therapy in a real-world counselling context.
Weighting
70%
Due date
20/04/2026
Assessment method
Individual Presentation
Assessment type
Summative
Description
Presentation (30%) Fifteen-minute presentation to introduce and explain the therapeutic philosophy of the student and how this philosophy is applied in work with clients, with reference to relevant research and theory. Presentation should include ten-minutes of prepared content followed by five-minutes of questions. Presentation should use appropriate visual aids to support the delivery.
Weighting
30%
Due date
18/05/2026