Applied Psychology (Mental Health and Psychological Therapies) MSc

Here is a guide to the subjects studied on this course.

Courses are continually reviewed to take advantage of new teaching approaches and developments in research, industry and the professions. Please be aware that modules may change for your year of entry. The exact modules available and their order may vary depending on course updates, staff availability, timetabling and student demand. Please contact the course team for the most up to date module list.
Year one
Advanced Research Methods in Applied Psychology
Year: 1

This module is designed to give students training in the advanced qualitative and quantitative research methods that are required for contemporary research in applied psychology. The major focus will be on research methods for mental health and health psychology. Quantitative and qualitative research methods will be covered. Important issues such as data collection and research ethics will also be discussed. Students will become familiar with a single set of data from the National Comorbidity Survey (NCS) (a population study of mental health disorders in the US). They will also have the opportunity to design a qualitative study and evaluate qualitative evidence.

Research Project
Year: 1

This module will provide students with the chance to develop a substantial piece of work of their own, enabling them to demonstrate their understanding and the application of advanced research methods to a practical research issue of relevance to applied psychology (in the areas of mental health/illness or effective mental health care practice) and at a level of scholarship appropriate to Masters level.

Professional Issues (with Community Engagement Project)
Year: 1

This module is optional

This module aims to introduce students to therapeutic and psychological practice that operates from an inclusive values base, which promotes recovery and recognises and respects diversity. It emphasises the need to respect and value individual differences in age, sexuality, disability, gender, spirituality, race and culture, as well as the need to account for physical and sensory difficulties people may experience in accessing services, and to make provision for supporting these difficulties. The module underlines a clinical responsibility to respond to people's needs sensitively with regard to all aspects of diversity, and to maintain a commitment to equal opportunities for all and encourage people's active participation in every aspect of care and treatment. The module also places an emphasis on promoting understanding of social inclusion, the complexity of people's health, social and occupational needs, and the services that can support people to recovery. It underlines the importance of recognising limitations to competence and role, and to direct people to resources appropriate to their needs. In addition, the module maintains an important focus on the role of supervision and reflective practice in applied psychology settings.

Child, Adolescent and Family Mental Health
Year: 1

This module is optional

Developing a broad based understanding and a thorough knowledge base in relation to commonly encountered psychological disorders and disabilities, their classification, aetiology and underlying processes, is recognised as being fundamental to the provision of effective and meaningful treatment interventions. This module considers issues relating to the aetiology and assessment of clinical presentations in childhood, and methods on intervention and prevention. It provides a theoretical background to practice in clinical settings for children.

Adult Mental Health
Year: 1

This module is optional

Developing a broad based understanding and a thorough knowledge base in relation to commonly encountered psychological disorders and disabilities, their classification, aetiology and underlying processes, is recognised as being fundamental to the provision of effective and meaningful treatment interventions. This module considers issues relating to the aetiology and assessment of clinical presentations in adulthood, and methods on intervention and prevention. It is intended to provide a theoretical background to practice in adult clinical settings.

Family Therapy and Systemic Practice 1
Year: 1

This module is optional

In this module students will be introduced to family therapy and systemic practice theories and will be able to understand how problems, mental ill health and distress may be explained through the lens of systemic thinking. The main models of structural, strategic and Milan theories, along with their historical development will be explored. The process of systemic psychotherapy will be explained with opportunity to practice a systemic assessment, hypothesising and use the relevant intervention techniques, with example case studies. Issues relating to culture, the therapeutic relationship, power and gender in systemic practice will be discussed, along with case examples of how family therapy and systemic practice can be applied in various clinical settings.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Year: 1

This module is optional

This module aims to develop a knowledge and understanding of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and the skills necessary for its effective application. It will also develop student's psychotherapeutic skills in order to aid application of CBT techniques and strategies. On completion of this module, students (via role play case vignette work) will have a sound understanding and some skill development on psychological assessment and engagement, understand the concepts of mental health and mental illness, diagnostic category systems in mental health, and a range of social, medical and psychological explanatory models. Within this broader context and in the specific framework of a stepped care model, the module will equip the student with the skills to recognise appropriate symptomology, understand how to engage a client in a positive therapeutic alliance and assist in making informed choices about their treatment. This will be done while acknowledging appropriate risks and managing them appropriately. Finally the module aims to provide students with an extended understanding of the cognitive model, how to move from assessment to cognitive model formulations/conceptualisations regarding not only mild/moderate mental health presentations (step care 1-3), but also some more high intensity presentations, as a way of making comparisons across the step care model.

Family Therapy and Systemic Practice 2
Year: 1

This module is optional

In this module students will be introduced to family therapy and systemic practice theories and will be able to understand how problems, mental ill health and distress may be explained through the lens of systemic thinking. The main models of structural, strategic and Milan theories will be reinforced, and key practice-related issues will be explored. The process of systemic psychotherapy will be explained with opportunity to practice systemic skills and use the relevant intervention techniques, with example case studies. Issues relating to bereavement, domestic abuse, and child-focused practice will be discussed, along with case examples of how family therapy and systemic practice can be applied in various clinical settings.

Psychological Assessment and Engagement (with Placement)
Year: 1

This module is optional

The Psychological Assessment and Engagement Module assists the student to understand the concepts of mental health and mental illness, diagnostic category systems in mental health, and a range of social, medical and psychological explanatory models. Within this broader context and in the specific framework of a stepped care model, the module will equip the student with the skills to recognise appropriate symptomology, engage the client in a positive therapeutic alliance and assist them in making informed choices about their treatment. This will be done while acknowledging risks and managing them appropriately.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (Low Intensity) for Common Mental Health Problems (with Placement)
Year: 1

This module is optional

This module aims to support the student to gain advanced understanding, knowledge and competence (yet critical knowledge) of evidenced based low intensity CBT for common mental health problems, at step care level 2/3. The module will focus more so on the use of CBT interventions for depression and anxiety disorders, but will also consider the use of internet and self-guided resources, as well as psychopharmacological interventions. At all times, the module aims to prepare and consolidate the student's knowledge on when/where and how to refer clients for more intensive therapies, in addition to being aware of continual risk assessment and monitoring of clients welfare. This module forms part of the BPS qualification to become a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner, providing evidenced based psychological interventions for common mental health problems.

Professional Issues for Practitioners
Year: 1

This module is optional

This module aims to introduce students to therapeutic and psychological practice that operates from an inclusive values base, which promotes recovery and recognises and respects diversity. It emphasises the need to respect and value individual differences in age, sexuality, disability, gender, spirituality, race and culture, as well as the need to account for physical and sensory difficulties people may experience in accessing services, and to make provision for supporting these difficulties. The module underlines a clinical responsibility to respond to people's needs sensitively with regard to all aspects of diversity, and to maintain a commitment to equal opportunities for all and encourage people's active participation in every aspect of care and treatment. The module also places an emphasis on promoting understanding of social inclusion, the complexity of people's health, social and occupational needs, and the services that can support people to recovery. It underlines the importance of recognising limitations to competence and role, and to direct people to resources appropriate to their needs. In addition, the module maintains an important focus on the role of supervision and reflective practice in applied psychology settings.

Values, Diversity and Context (with Placement)
Year: 1

This module is optional

This module aims to equip students to practice from an inclusive values base, which promotes recovery and recognises and respects diversity. It emphasises the need to respect and value individual differences in age, sexuality, disability, gender, spirituality, race and culture, as well as the need to account for physical and sensory difficulties people may experience in accessing services, and to make provision in their work to mitigate these. The module underlines a clinical responsibility to respond to people's needs sensitively with regard to all aspects of diversity, and to maintain a commitment to equal opportunities for all and encourage people's active participation in every aspect of care and treatment. The module also underlines the importance of managing client caseloads, operating safely and to high standards, and using supervision to aid in clinical decision-making. It highlights the need to recognise limitations to competence and role, and to direct people to resources appropriate to their needs. In addition, the module maintains an important focus on social inclusion - including return to work and meaningful activity or other occupational activities - as well as clinical improvement. There is therefore an emphasis on promoting understanding of the complexity of people's health, social and occupational needs and the services which can support people to recovery.