Module: Counselling & Psychology

Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title	Counselling & Psychology
Module Code	PSYC513 (ITS) / PSY1068 (Banner)
Faculty	Science & Health	School	Psychology
Module Co-ordinator	Rosaleen McElvaney
Module Teachers	Nigel Mulligan, Simon Dunne
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	Not Available
Co-requisite	Not Available
Compatibles	Not Available
Incompatibles	Not Available

Coursework Only

Description

The purpose of this module is to critically introduce students to theoretical and practice perspective at the forefront of the psychology of counselling and psychotherapy. In this module, students will develop advanced knowledge of the origins and growth of counselling and psychotherapy theory and practice drawing on the central tenets’ of psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioural, humanistic and systemic approaches. Students will develop a critical awareness of the process of counselling and psychotherapy; an appreciation of the core characteristics associated with effective psychotherapy; and the factors associated with establishing a good therapeutic relationship. Students are expected to attend lectures and to engage in experiential work in class supplemented by reading and reviewing relevant literature and course material as assigned.

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate a critical understanding of the theoretical underpinnings at the forefront of contemporary counselling and psychotherapy
2. Critically appraise the philosophical positions and application of four major psychological approaches to mental health difficulties (psychodynamic, cognitive- behavioural, humanistic and systemic).
3. Demonstrate a critical understanding of the research methodologies employed in investigating outcomes in psychotherapy.
4. Analyse and critically examine the core characteristics associated with an effective psychotherapy from the humanistic (person –centred) approach i.e. empathy, congruence and unconditional positive regard.
5. Demonstrate competence of basic counselling skills relevant to establishing a good therapeutic relationship, such as active listening, physical and psychological attending, clarifying, open-questioning, reflection, paraphrasing, and empathic responding.
6. Demonstrate a critical awareness of the relative strengths and limitations of the four major approaches as they are applied to various psychological difficulties.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	24	Didactic teaching
Group work	6	Online Loop engagement, Group work, skills based exercises
Independent Study	95	No Description
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

The historical context for contemporary counselling and psychotherapy practice within the discipline of psychology

Research paradigms in counselling and psychotherapy

Introduction to four major approaches in psychotherapy: psychodynamic, cognitive- behavioural, humanistic and systemic

Efficacy and Effectiveness in psychotherapy

In-class exercises, involving real play, focused on basic counselling skills

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Assignment	Essay - 3,500 words Real Play Assessment - 10 minute live real play	100%	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

Corsini, R. & Wedding, D.: 2011, Current psychotherapies, 9th, Brooks/Cole., Belmont, CA, US,
Corey, G.: 2004, Theory and practice of counselling and psychotherapy, 7th, Wadsworth Publication Co, Belmont, CA, US,
Feltam, C., Hanley, T. & Winter, L. (Eds.): 2017, The Sage handbook of counselling and psychotherapy, 4th ed, SAGE, London, UK,
Geldard, K.: 2003, Counselling skills in everyday life, Palgrave Macmillan, New York, US,
Mearns, D., & Thorne, B.: 2007, Person-centered counseling in action, 3rd, SAGE, London, UK,
McLeod, J.: 2009, An introduction to counselling., 4th, Open University Press, Berkshire, UK,
O’Farrell, U.: 2006, First steps in counselling., Veritas, Dublin, Irl.,

Other Resources

None