DCU Home | Our Courses | Loop | Registry | Library | Search DCU
<< Back to Module List

Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

All Module information is indicative, and this portal is an interim interface pending the full upgrade of Coursebuilder and subsequent integration to the new DCU Student Information System (DCU Key).

As such, this is a point in time view of data which will be refreshed periodically. Some fields/data may not yet be available pending the completion of the full Coursebuilder upgrade and integration project. We will post status updates as they become available. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Date posted: September 2024

Module Title Professional Practice Portfolio 1
Module Code NS589 (ITS) / PST1025 (Banner)
Faculty Science & Health School Nursing, PsyT & Comm Health
Module Co-ordinatorGemma Kiernan
Module Teachers-
NFQ level 9 Credit Rating 10
Pre-requisite Not Available
Co-requisite Not Available
Compatibles Not Available
Incompatibles Not Available
None
Description

The PPP aspect of training incorporates two key course components that run through the entire 4 year MSc. Programme: professional and personal development; and clinical practice and supervision. The purpose of this module is to introduce students to the ideas and practices that facilitate integration of their personal and professional selves. The module provides guidance on the common factors that enhance therapy outcomes, enhances ethical sensitivity, promotes personal / professional reflection, and introduces students to the social, professional and legal context of psychotherapy practice. Students are expected to: attend personal therapy and group awareness sessions; observe, discuss and critique clinical practice; prepare for supervision; and participate in class based discussion and on line self directed learning activities. This work will recorded in their professional practice portfolio which provides evidence and a record of their personal and professional development and clinical competencies over the duration of year 1.

Learning Outcomes

1. Explore personal biases and values and how these influence views about psychotherapy practice.
2. Describe a model of personal / professional reflection and demonstrate its use as a practitioner.
3. Explore the social, professional and legal contexts within which contemporary psychotherapy is situated.
4. Develop a beginning appreciation of the ethical dimensions of therapy practice.
5. Demonstrate awareness of discriminatory practices.
6. Examine the common factors associated with positive outcomes in psychotherapy.
7. Demonstrate competence in essential (core) psychotherapy skills and processes.



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Seminars20Lecture/Skills based workshops
Professional Practice20Real and Role Play and Skills Development
Group work15Personal and Professional Development Groups
Independent Study190Self-directed learning – preparation for and review of clinical issues, maintaining personal / professional reflection journal, updating logs, reading, assignments.
Directed learning5Tutor led formative engagement incl formative reflective essay
Total Workload: 250

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

Professional & Personal Development
Through personal and interpersonal experiential inquiry the student will develop an understanding of reflexive awareness of self-other relationships, begin to identify their personal biases and blind-spots, and appreciate the influence of the self of the therapist on the psychotherapeutic endeavour. The student will also begin to develop an understanding of the need for self care.

Preparation for Psychotherapy Practice
The student will observe and critically examine work with clients. Through a range of experiential exercises the student will demonstrate competence in essential (core) psychotherapy skills and processes (active listening, communicating empathy, rapport building, reflecting, summarizing, explorative questioning). This work will be carried out under the guidance of experienced practitioners.

Preparation for Supervision
The student will engage in discussion and reflection on clinical work that they observe. This will involve awareness of non-verbal communication, understanding therapeutic boundary issues, and integration of theory and practice.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment100% Examination Weight0%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Practical/skills evaluationRecorded Real play counselling session with subsequent written critical reflection. Students must attain a minimum mark of 40% in this component of assessment in order to pass the module and progress.60%n/a
EssayReflective Learning Report of key learning in year 1 of M.S.c. Programme30%n/a
PortfolioPractice Portfolio Documentation10%n/a
Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories:
Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module.
Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module.
Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 1
Indicative Reading List

  • Adams, M.: 2013, The Myth of the Untroubled Therapist, Taylor and Francis, London, United Kingdom,
  • Bolton, G.: 2014, Reflective Practice: Writing and Professional Development., 4th, Sage, London,
  • Bond, T: 2015, Standards and Ethics for Counselling in Action, 4th, Sage, London,
  • Creaner, M.: 2014, Getting the Best Out of Supervision in Counselling and Psychotherapy- Guide for the Supervisee., Sage, London,
  • Dryden, W. & Spurling, L.: 2014, On Becoming A Pschotherapist, Taylor & Francis, London, United Kingdom,
  • Hawkins, P. & Ryde, J.: 2019, Integrative Psychotherapy in Theory and Practice: A Relational, Systemic and Ecological Approach, 1st, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, London United Kingdom, 1785924222
  • Hawkins, P. Shohet, R: 2000, Supervisioin in the Helping Professions, Buckingham Open University Press,
  • McLeod, J: 2019, An Introduction to Counselling and Psychotherapy, 6th, McGraw-Hill Education, UK, 9780335243
  • Norcross, J. C., & Lambert, M. J.: 2019, Psychotherapy relationships that work. Volume 1: Evidence-based therapist contributions, 3rd ed, Oxford University Press., New York,
  • Norcross, J. & VandenBos, G.R.: 2018, Leaving it at the Office: A Guide to Psychotherapist Self-Care, The Guilford Press, USA,
  • Norcross, J. C., & Wampold, B. E.: 2019, Psychotherapy relationships that work. Volume 2: Evidence-based responsiveness, 3rd ed., Oxford University Press, New York,
  • Reeves, A.: 2018, An Introduction to Counselling and Psychotherapy: From Theory to Practice, 2nd Ed, SAGE, Los Angeles,
  • Rose, C: 2012, Self -Awareness and Personal Development: Resources for Psychotherapists and Counsellors, Palgrave MacMillan,
  • Wosket, V: 2016, The Therapeutic use of Self: Counselling Practice, Research and Supervision, Routledge, London,
  • Wright, J. & Bolton, G.: 2012, Reflective Writing in Counselling and Psychotherapy, Sage, London,
Other Resources

65501, Journal, 0, Psychotherapy Research, 65502, Professional Publication, 0, Irish Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy, Irish Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP), 65503, Professional Competencies, (http://www.europsyche.org/download/cms/100510/Final-Core-Competencies-v-3-3_July2013.pdf), 0, European Association of Psychotherapy’s (EAP: 2013) framework of core competencies in practising psychotherapy., 65504, Ethical Framework, Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy,, IACP, 0, Ethical Framework, Dublin, Ireland,

<< Back to Module List