Theories of Counselling and Psychotherapy 4H PSYCH4085

  • Academic Session: 2024-25
  • School: School of Psychology and Neuroscience
  • Credits: 10
  • Level: Level 4 (SCQF level 10)
  • Typically Offered: Semester 1
  • Available to Visiting Students: No
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No

Short Description

This course covers the history and general features of counselling, psychotherapy, and counselling psychology in the UK. It critically evaluates the three main theoretical approaches (psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioural and person-centred experiential) in depth. The aims and assumptions of these approaches will be discussed along with their respective evidence bases, and frameworks for integrating approaches will be outlined.

Timetable

10 hours over a 5 week block

Requirements of Entry

Successful completion of level 3H psychology single honours.

Excluded Courses

None

Assessment

Students will work individually to submit an annotated bibliography (30%) in advance of a group-based essay (70%). Students will work in groups based on their chosen client group, and each group will submit an essay on the topic provided. 

Are reassessment opportunities available for all summative assessments? Not applicable for Honours courses

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. For non-Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

Course Aims

This course aims to discuss and critically evaluate the three main theoretical approaches to counselling (psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioural and person-centred experiential), discussing their strengths and limitations specifically with reference to recent research on particular client groups. 

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Reflect critically on the history of counselling in the UK

■ Discuss the basic assumptions of the three main approaches to counselling

■ Critically evaluate in detail different commonly used counselling methods with reference to recent research

■ Critically evaluate the application of various counselling approaches to specific client groups

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.