THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH

DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2021/2022

Information in the Degree Programme Tables may still be subject to change in response to Covid-19

University Homepage
DRPS Homepage
DRPS Search
DRPS Contact
DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Health in Social Science : Clinical Psychology

Postgraduate Course: Clinical Psychology 1 (CLPS12034)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Health in Social Science CollegeCollege of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 12 (Postgraduate) AvailabilityNot available to visiting students
SCQF Credits40 ECTS Credits20
SummaryThis course is mandatory for all DClinPsychol first year postgraduate students. Students will develop a critical overview of the application of clinical psychology to a wide range of psychological disorders, with a focus on adult mental health, learning disability and physical health settings and an introduction to neuropsychology and working in forensic settings.
Course description Academic Description
Students will receive knowledge based sessions, leading to a critical analysis and understanding of the principle theories and practices typically used with service users In the above settings. In addition, students will receive practical training on using therapeutic skills most often encountered in these specialisms and will be taught sufficient generic awareness and understanding of these skills and knowledge to be able to apply them to novel problems and circumstances. Throughout CP1 there will be a particular focus on the development of clinical competencies including engagement, assessment, formulation, treatment and evaluation. The teaching also aims to deliver a detailed grounding in relevant issues in client, clinical work, service, legislation and professional areas. Controversies and debates within the specialisms will be explored and trainees will be expected to reflect upon these and reach independent, defensible conclusions regarding their own practice.
Students will attend in blocks of teaching and monthly teaching days. The teaching is a mixture of face-to-face, online and blended delivery. Students also have dedicated study time during this course during which they are expected to be studying towards the course learning outcomes, and for R1 learning outcomes.

Outline Content
Engagement, assessment, formulation and treatment in relation to working age adults with a range of psychological disorders ranging from common presentations in primary care through to complex and 'comorbid' psychopathology. Assessment and management of risk. Awareness of the evidence base and Scottish policy. Social, cultural and historical perspectives to conceptualising mental health problems. Developmental and recovery approaches to adult mental health. Critical psychology.

Engagement, assessment, formulation and treatment in relation to service users with learning disabilities, their families and care systems. Evidence based practice. Prevalence, classification, rights. Social and developmental issues, philosophical issues. Service issues e.g. stigma, equity, multi-disciplinary team working, legislation & policy.

The application of psychological theories and approaches to health care, particularly to individuals with chronic health conditions e.g. oncology, coronary heart disease, stroke, HIV, chronic pain, chronic fatigue etc. Includes sessions on substance misuse. Interventions to prevent or reduce further illness; health promotion; improve adherence. Working with other healthcare professionals. Communication in healthcare settings.

Introduction to neuropsychology and working in forensic settings.

Professional issues, consultancy, leadership, reflective practice, strategy and policy, teamwork, the professional body.

Student Learning Experience
This course uses significant elements of blended learning and distance participation. Some sessions are live in Edinburgh (classroom based activities) and some involve self-directed eLearning activities, including use of video conferencing (VC). The teaching is a mix of didactic, discussion based and clinical skills workshops. Self directed eLearning sessions tend to focus on engagement in written or video recorded media, eLearning tools and online or VC discussion groups.

Student learning is evidenced by the production of a 4000 to 6000 word case conceptualisation, based upon clinical practice relevant to this area. Marking criteria and detailed guidance on the case conceptualisation is available in the course handbook, in the Programme Academic Handbook.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2021/22, Not available to visiting students (SS1) Quota:  None
Course Start Full Year
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 400 ( Lecture Hours 200, Supervised Practical/Workshop/Studio Hours 45, Feedback/Feedforward Hours 5, Formative Assessment Hours 5, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 8, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 137 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) An extended case conceptualisation of 4000-6000 words, which will include a review and critique of relevant literature as it relates to an outline of a clinical case study, and the critical reflection of outcome and process of the case described.
Feedback Not entered
No Exam Information
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Demonstrate a critical, detailed and reflective understanding of the main theories, principles and concepts relating to the adult mental health, learning disability and health psychology specialties, including assessment, formulation, treatment and evaluation.
  2. Apply the concepts, theories and principles of the above specialties in an integrated, critical, ethical and professional way in clinical practice.
  3. Apply the knowledge and competencies learned to develop creative and original responses to clinical problems and issues.
  4. Analyse, synthesise and evaluate the taught material and apply it to dealing with complex and novel situations and issues in an informed and reflective way.
Reading List
Detailed reading lists are available in the Academic and Course Handbooks here:
http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/health/clinical-psychology/studying/resources/doctorate-resources

Prioritised references are:
Beck, A. T., Rush, A. J., Shaw, B. F., & Emery, G. (1979). Cognitive therapy of depression. New York: Guilford Press.
Wells, A. (1997). Cognitive therapy of anxiety disorders: A practice manual and conceptual guide. Chichester: Wiley.
Briere & Scott (2006) Principles of Trauma Therapy and Treatment: a guide to symptoms, evaluation, and treatment. SAGE Publications.

Emerson, E., Dickson, K., Gone, R., Hatton, C., Bromley, J. & Caine, A. (Eds.) (2012). Clinical Psychology and People with Intellectual Disabilities 2nd Edition. Chichester: Wiley & Sons.
Taylor, J., Lindsay, W., Hastings, R. & Hatton, C. (Eds.) (2013). Psychological Therapies for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities. Chichester: Wiley & Sons.

Bennett P (2000) Introduction to Clinical Health Psychology. Open University Press. Bowling A. (2005) Measuring Health. Open University Press
Michie and Abraham (2004) Health Psychology in Practice. BPS Blackwell.
Ogden, J., (2012) Health Psychology: a Textbook. Open University Press.
White, C., (2001) Cognitive-Behaviour Therapy for Chronic Medical Problems
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Students that successfully pass this course will have demonstrated the required knowledge and understanding of clinical psychological work with the above client groups.
They will further possess the attitudes, qualities and skills that are considered basic and introductory to working with these client groups.
KeywordsClinical Psychology,Psychological Disorders,Assessment,Formulation,Intervention,Evaluation
Contacts
Course organiserDr Doug McConachie
Tel: (0131 6)5 03026
Email: doug.mcconachie@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMr Timothy Abbot
Tel: (0131 6)50 8498
Email: Tim.Abbot@ed.ac.uk
Navigation
Help & Information
Home
Introduction
Glossary
Search DPTs and Courses
Regulations
Regulations
Degree Programmes
Introduction
Browse DPTs
Courses
Introduction
Humanities and Social Science
Science and Engineering
Medicine and Veterinary Medicine
Other Information
Combined Course Timetable
Prospectuses
Important Information