PL1D123 - Introduction to Therapeutic Principles 01 Sep 2023 - 31 Aug 2027 | Version 4

Associated Module Information

Module Code: PL1D123
Module Title: Introduction to Therapeutic Principles
Faculty: Faculty of Life Sciences and Education
Faculty Group: Psychology
Faculty Sub Group: Youth and Community
Module Leader: Mary O'Connell
Module Team: James Greville, Kirsty Richards, Dan Bowers, Alexis Jones, Leigh Attwood
First Intended Intake: SEP 2018 Final Year of Intake: 2023
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 40 Credit Level: 4
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100497 - psychology
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 4
Valid From 01 Sep 2023
Valid To 31 Aug 2027

Module Aims

To introduce students to the therapeutic perspectives and principles underpinning traditional and contemporary counselling therapies, models and strategies.

Content Summary

The module will be structured based on the triangulated theme of 1) Evidence Based Principles; 2) Ethical Values and 3) Critical Reflective Capability.

Enquiry into the theoretical perspectives of: the Person-centred Approach to Counselling and Psychotherapy; Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, psychodynamic/humanistic approaches to psychotherapy and the science of compassionate care. The module will provide an overview of the roots of these psychological therapies. It will also explore them through current sociocultural and epidemiological ‘lenses’. Students will be introduced to the key theoretical assumptions of each approach and will be encouraged to explore similarities and differences between these approaches. They will begin to learn how to evaluate these distinct perspectives and consider situations where each approach may be effective. Finally students will begin to engage with the ethical and professional frameworks used in Counselling and Psychotherapy.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Practical classes and workshops 72
Independent Study 160
Directed Study 168
Total Hours Selected 400

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Compare and contrast therapeutic principles from a range of mainstream and evolving psychological therapies.
LO2 Demonstrate a theoretical knowledge and awareness of ethical responsibilities and safeguarding considerations in mental health and well-being care
LO3 Discuss and develop a personal sense of theoretical positioning.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Presentation (Asynchronous) 1 Presentation is recorded via Panopto/similar and submitted with notes. 10 N/A 33 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Essay 1 Essay covering key topics in therapeutic principles 0 2000 34 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Case study 1 Students respond to a case study from a counselling psychology perspective 0 2000 33 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2 LO3
Presentation (Asynchronous) 1
Essay 1
Case study 1

Reading List

Cooper, M; O’Hara, M; Schmid, P.F. and Bohart, A.C. (2013). The Handbook of Person-Centred Psychotherapy & Counselling. Second Edition. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan

Dryden, W. & Reeves, A. (2014). The Handbook of Individual Therapy. London: Sage Publications

Gilbert, P. (2005). Compassion. Conceptualisations, Research and Us in Psychotherapy. Hove: Routledge.

Gilbert, P. (2017). Compassion: Concepts, Research and Applications. Routledge

Stedmon, J. and Dallos, R. (2009). Reflective Practice in Psychotherapy and Counselling. Maidenhead. Open University Press.