Module: Integrative Psychotherapy

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Integrative Psychotherapy
Module Code	PST1023 (ITS: NS582)
Faculty	Nursing, PsyT & Comm Health	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	5

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.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	14	Lectures, and tutor-led large group and small group discussions
Directed learning	12	Tutor-led in-class psychotherapy skills practice, and viewing/discussion/critique of psychotherapy practice DVDs, and tutor-led personal and professional awareness and development activities
Independent Study	99	Student self-directed learning, research, reading and assignment preparation, and tutor-directed reading/critical review between classes
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	20956	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Aisling McMahon	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Reflective journal	Reflexive engagement with course material, including critical consideration of integrative practice & key readings	50%	Sem 2 End
Poster presentation	Poster presentation describing and critiquing integrative psychotherapy and the psychotherapy relationship as a key integrative factor, including theory and research	50%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

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.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

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, 300, 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: 2024, The neuroscience of psychotherapy, (4th ed.), Norton,
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,

Articles:

Essential article resources will be provided on Loop: 0, Loop,

Other Resources

1: Journal, Journal of Psychotherapy Integration,
418641: 1, Journal, Psychotherapy Theory, Research, Practice, Training,
418642: 1, Journal, Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice.,
418643: 1, Journal, Journal of Counselling Psychology,
418644: 1, Journal, The Counselling Psychologist,
418645: 1, Journal, Psychotherapy Research,
418646: 1, e-resources, data bases, PsycArticles,
418647: 1, e-resources, data bases, PsycINFO,
418648: 1, e-resources, data bases, SAGE journals online,

Module co-ordinator and lecturer: Dr. Aisling McMahon