PL2D119 - Understanding the Application of Therapeutic Principles 01 Sep 2023 - 31 Aug 2027 | Version 4

Associated Module Information

Module Code: PL2D119
Module Title: Understanding the Application of 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: , Kirsty Richards, Alexis Jones, Dan Bowers, Leigh Attwood
First Intended Intake: SEP 2018 Final Year of Intake: 2023
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 40 Credit Level: 5
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 provide an in-depth understanding of the commonalities and differences within the humanistic tradition of therapy with a particular focus on person-centred approaches.

Content Summary

The module will be divided into two parts: Part 1 – Person-centred Approach to Counselling & Psychotherapy; Part 2 – the science of Compassionate Care. It will continue with the triangulate theme of Evidence-based Principles; Ethical Values and Critical Reflective Capability.

The module will provide students with a detailed understanding of the humanistic tradition of therapeutic principles and will facilitate a critical evaluation of these within the wider context of counselling and psychotherapy. A particular focus on Person-Centred theory will include developments from classical person-centred theory to contemporary debates in theory and practice including the notion of compassionate care. There will be a continued focus on socio-cultural and epidemiological themes.

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 Critically evaluate the evidence base for a range of therapeutic approaches (including humanistic and person centred approaches).
LO2 Demonstrate a critical appreciation of recent and emerging research of the mainstream psychological therapies including the way that these approaches conceptualise psychopathology.
LO3 Demonstrate a critical awareness of the skills and attributes relevant to the provision of evidence-based, ethical and compassionate care.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Essay 2 Essay 0 2000 33 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Essay 1 Essay 0 2000 33 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Critique 1 A critical review of a counselling/therapeutic based academic paper 0 2000 34 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2 LO3
Essay 2
Essay 1
Critique 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

McLeod, J. (2015). Doing Research in Counselling and Psychotherapy. Sage Publications

Punch, K.F. (2016). Developing Effective Research Proposals. (3rd Ed.). Sage Publications

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