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Module Specifications..

Current Academic Year 2023 - 2024

Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title Integrative Psychotherapy
Module Code NS582
School 38
Module Co-ordinatorSemester 1: Aisling McMahon
Semester 2: Aisling McMahon
Autumn: Aisling McMahon
Module TeachersAisling McMahon
NFQ level 9 Credit Rating 5
Pre-requisite None
Co-requisite None
Compatibles None
Incompatibles None
None
Array
Description

This module will introduce students to the principles and practices of integrative psychotherapy. Working with the psychotherapy relationship and working with emotional immediacy will be focused on as core, evidence-based, integrative variables. An introduction to attachment theory and affective neuroscience will also be included to enhance students’ understanding of the importance of working with the therapeutic relationship. An introduction to working with depression and anxiety as common clinical presentations will be included within this module. During this module, students will be invited to draw from different therapeutic models in discussions of psychotherapy theory and practice. The module will include didactic teaching, class-based discussions, DVD material and skills practice sessions. Students are expected to attend lectures, engage in on-line self-directed learning activities, and supplement their learning by reading and reviewing relevant literature and course material.

Learning Outcomes

1. Describe and critique the relevance and rationale of an integrative approach to psychotherapy practice.
2. Understand and analyse the common factors approach within psychotherapy.
3. Review and critique the central position the psychotherapy relationship has as an integrative variable.
4. Understand the importance of working with emotional immediacy in psychotherapy practice.
5. Have an introductory understanding of attachment theory and affective neuroscience to inform work with the therapeutic relationship.
6. Have an introductory understanding of depression and anxiety as common clinical presentations.



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Lecture15Lectures, discussions and seminar groups
Directed learning15Psychotherapy skills practice
Directed learning5Tutor-led formative engagement
Independent Study90Self-directed learning, reviewing and reading empirical, theoretical literature and course material as assigned
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Introduction to integrative psychotherapy
Introduction to integrative psychotherapy, its development, and the common factors approach across therapeutic modalities.

The psychotherapeutic relationship
Analysis and review of the therapeutic relationship as a core integrative factor, drawing from theories across the main therapeutic schools.

Working with emotional immediacy
Exploration and analysis of working with emotional immediacy as an evidence-based integrative factor in psychotherapy practice.

Attachment theory and affective neuroscience
Overview of attachment theory and comtemporary research in affective neuroscience, to inform relational integrative practice.

Therapeutic practice issues
Exploration of working with depression and anxiety as common therapeutic presentations.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment100% Examination Weight0%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
EssayEssay assignment100%Sem 2 End
Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories;
1 = A resit is available for all components of the module
2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module
3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 1
Indicative Reading List

  • Mearns, D., & Cooper, M.: 2018, Working at relational depth in counselling and psychotherapy, 2nd ed., Sage, London,
  • Clarkson, P.: 2003, The therapeutic relationship, 2nd ed., Wiley, London, 1-86156-381-7
  • Erskine, R.: 2015, Relational patterns, therapeutic presence: Concepts and practice of integrative psychotherapy, Karnac, London,
  • Evans, K.R., & Gilbert, M.: 2005, An Introduction to Integrative Psychotherapy, Palgrave Macmillan, Basingstoke,
  • O Brien, M., & Houston, G.: 2007, Integrative therapy: A practitioner's guide., 2nd ed., Sage, London,
  • Bowlby, J.: 2006, A Secure Base. Clinical Applications of Attachment Theory, Tavistock/Routledge, London,
  • Louis J. Cozolino: 2017, The neuroscience of psychotherapy, 3rd ed., Norton, New York,
  • Roth, A & Fonagy, P.: 2005, What works for Whom? A critical review of psychotherapy, Guilford Press, New York,
  • Wampold, B.E., & Imel, Z.: 2015, The Great Psychotherapy Debate: Models, Methods and Findings., 2nd, Routledge, New York,
  • Patricia de Young: 2015, Relational psychotherapy: A primer, 2nd ed., Routledge, New York, 978113884043
  • Gold, J., & Stricker, G.: 2006, A casebook of psychotherapy integration, American Psychological Association, Washington, DC.,
  • Scaturo, D.: 2005, Clinical dilemmas in psychotherapy: A transtheoretical approach to psychotherapy integration, APA, Washington, DC,
  • Wallin, D.: 2007, Attachment in psychotherapy, Guilford, New York,
  • Finlay, L.: 2016, Relational integrative psychotherapy: Engaging process and theory in practice, Wiley Blackwell, Chichester,
  • Holmes, J., & Slade, A.: 2018, Attachment in therapeutic practice, Sage,
  • Norcross, J., & Lambert, M.: 2019, Psychotherapy relationships that work: Vol 1 Evidence based therapist contributions, 3rd ed, Oxford University Press,
  • Norcross, J., & Lambert, M.: 2019, Psychotherapy relationships that work: Vol 2 Evidence based therapist responsiveness, Oxford University Press,
  • Holmes: 2020, The brain has a mind of its own: Attachment, neurobiology, and the new science of psychotherapy, Karnac,
  • McCluskey, U., & O'Toole, M.: 2019, Transference and countertransference from an attachment perspective, Routledge,
  • Kahn, M.: 1997, Between therapist and client (rev ed.), Holt & Co., New York,
  • Nolan, P.: 2012, Therapist and client: A relational approach to psychotherapy, Wiley-Blackwell,
  • Casement, P.: 1985, On learning from the patient, Routledge, London,
  • Maroda, K.: 2013, The power of countertransference, 2nd ed., Routledge, New York,
Other Resources

61571, Journal, 0, Journal of Psychotherapy Integration, 61572, Journal, 0, Psychotherapy Theory, Research, Practice, Training, 61573, Journal, 0, Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice., 61574, Journal, 0, Journal of Counselling Psychology, 61575, Journal, 0, The Counselling Psychologist, 61576, Journal, 0, Psychotherapy Research, 61577, e-resources, data bases, 0, PsycArticles, 61578, e-resources, data bases, 0, PsycINFO, 61579, e-resources, data bases, 0, SAGE journals online,
Module co-ordinator and lecturer: Dr. Aisling McMahon
Programme or List of Programmes
AMPDPhD
AMPMMSc
AMPTPhD-track
BTPDPhD
BTPMMSc
BTPTPhD-track
CHPDPhD
CHPMMaster of Science
CHPTPhD-track
GDCOUGraduate Diploma in Psychotherapy
HHPDPhD
HHPMMSc
HHPTPhD-track
MCOUMasters in Psychotherapy
NSPDPhD
NSPMMSc
NSPTPhD-track
PHPDPhD
PHPMMSc
PHPTPhD-track
PYPDPhD
PYPMMaster of Science
PYPTPhD-track
SMPNSingle Module Programme (Nursing)
SSPDPhD
SSPMMSc
SSPTPhD-track
Date of Last Revision15-SEP-08
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