Module PPC-4004:
Therapeutic Process and Contex
Therapeutic Process and Context 2024-25
PPC-4004
2024-25
School of Psychology & Sport Science
Module - Semester 1
20 credits
Module Organiser:
Fay Short
Overview
PPC4004 Therapeutic Process and Context prepares students to work as a counsellor by providing them with an understanding of the foundation of the therapeutic process, including ethics, boundaries, risk, and diversity. Students are given lectures outlining the core theories and considerations to hold as a practitioner, and then they apply this theory in practice during their oral discussion group workshops.
Topics covered in this module include: • Defining Counselling and Psychotherapy • Counsellor and Client Roles • Counselling in the Modern World • Boundaries and Ethics • Risks and Safeguarding • Appreciating Diversity • Therapeutic Process • Outcome Evaluations • Case Formulation • Language in 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 understanding of the process and context of therapeutic work • Comprehensive knowledge of the therapeutic process and context • 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 understanding of the process and context of therapeutic work • Strong knowledge of the therapeutic process and context • 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-) • Basic understanding of the process and context of therapeutic work • Some knowledge of the therapeutic process and context • 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
- Critically reflect on the professional relationship between counsellor and client, with specific focus on the student as a practitioner
- Engage in the ongoing process of formulation by generating a framework for the client's presentation and creating a therapeutic strategy for intervention drawing on theory and research
- Explain and manage expectations and challenges in counselling, including working with risk, adhering to ethical guidelines, maintaining boundaries, and appreciating diversity
- Orally present critical insights into a therapeutic case study in a group supervision setting with consideration of risk, intervention, and challenges
Assessment method
Oral Test
Assessment type
Summative
Description
Oral Discussion Group Exam (40%) Twenty-minute mock group supervision exam discussing an unseen case study. Formulation Reflection of 300wds submitted prior to the exam explaining the key points to consider when engaged in formulation for a case study.
Weighting
50%
Due date
09/01/2024
Assessment method
Essay
Assessment type
Summative
Description
My Counselling Journey (50%) Reflective responses to four key issues in counselling (400wds each) and an associated action plan (approx. 400wds)
Weighting
50%
Due date
28/10/2024