Module: Professional Practice Portfolio 1

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Professional Practice Portfolio 1
Module Code	PST1025 (ITS: NS589)
Faculty	Nursing, PsyT & Comm Health	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	10

Description

The PPP aspect of training incorporates two key course components that run through the entire four year MSc. Programme: professional and personal development; and clinical practice and supervision. Professional Practice Portfolio 1 (PPP1) is designed is to introduce students to the ideas and practices that facilitate integration of their personal and professional selves. The module introduces students to the professional context of psychotherapy, develops clinical competencies, provides guidance on the common factors that enhance therapy outcomes, enhances ethical sensitivity, and promotes personal / professional reflection and growth. The module is delivered in a blended format with an emphasis on in person learning but with some online delivery to give students an opportunity to experience online clinical skills work and to reflect on the impact of each format on the Self, and engagement with peers. As part of this module, students are expected to: attend personal therapy and group awareness sessions; engage in real play and role play clinical practice sessions with peers, observe, discuss and critique clinical practice; prepare for supervision; and participate in class-based discussion and self-directed learning activities.

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.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Workshop	16	Lecture/Skills based workshops
Group work	20	Real and Role Play and Skills Development
Group work	16	Personal and Professional Development Groups
Independent Study	174	Self-directed learning – preparation for and review of clinical issues, maintaining personal / professional reflection journal, updating logs, reading, assignments.
Directed learning	4	Tutor led formative engagement incl formative reflective essay
Directed learning	20	Personal Therapy
Total Workload: 250

Section Breakdown
CRN	11451	Part of Term	Semester 1 & 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Gemma Kiernan	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Practical/skills evaluation	Recorded 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%	Other
Essay	Reflective Learning Report of key learning in year 1 of M.S.c. Programme. Formative report at the end of Semester 1. Final Report due at the end of Semester 2.	30%	Sem 2 End
Portfolio	Practice Portfolio Documentation	10%	Sem 2 End

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

Professional & Personal Development
Through personal and interpersonal experiential inquiry, students 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. Students will also begin to develop an understanding of the need for self care.

Preparation for Psychotherapy Practice
Through lectures and experiential exercises, students will learn about the process of psychotherapy (including developing and maintaining the therapeutic relationship, contracting, assessment, record keeping, endings). Students 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 (e.g.active listening, communicating empathy, rapport building, reflecting, summarizing, explorative questioning).

Preparation for Supervision
Students 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. Students will be introduced to the purpose and functions of supervision and to a supervision model to help them prepare for clinical supervision.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

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,

Articles:

Hook, J. N., Farrell, J. E., Davis, D. E., DeBlaere, C., Van Tongeren, D. R., & Utsey, S. O.: 2016, Cultural humility and racial microaggressions in counselling., Journal of Counselling Psychology, 63, 269,

Other Resources

1: Journal, Psychotherapy Research,
418678: 1, Professional Publication, Irish Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy,
418679: 1, Professional Competencies, (http://www.europsyche.org/download/cms/100510/Final-Core-Competencies-v-3-3_July2013.pdf), European Association of Psychotherapy’s (EAP: 2013) framework of core competencies in practising psychotherapy.,
418680: 1, Ethical Framework, Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy,, IACP, Ethical Framework, Dublin, Ireland