Course summary

Overview Develop your clinical skills (including assessment, formulation, intervention design and evaluation) and knowledge of theories related to promoting psychological wellbeing. Evaluate therapeutic methods and enhance your reflective practice. You’ll complete a service-based dissertation project focused upon developing and advancing care and practice in a particular area. The course is designed to support the development of core clinical competencies. It focuses on person-centred care in mental health settings and shaping professional practice values. Through the core units, you’ll develop a thorough understanding of theoretical and practice frameworks in mental health settings, reflective practice and practitioner wellbeing. You’ll explore popular therapeutic approaches (including cognitive behavioural therapy, solution-focused brief therapy, and motivational interviewing) and advanced clinical skills, such as assessment, formulation, intervention design and evaluation. You’ll develop and practice critical research methods and analysis skills. You’ll apply these clinical skills to a field-based dissertation related to best practice in services. You might investigate a particular psychological intervention for clients or members of staff, conduct a service audit or evaluation project or produce an explorative project around how a psychological service caters for their clients. You’ll complete a 40-hour work-based learning opportunity to apply your learning and build your work experience. Features and benefits

• Work-based Learning - We offer you a 40-hour work-based learning opportunity in a relevant organisation or chance to work on a live project, applying your knowledge and skills to solving real-world problems.

• Expand your knowledge - You’ll develop your therapeutic and clinical skills, theoretical knowledge, applied research skills, and strategies to maintain your wellbeing as a practitioner.

• Research project -You’ll complete a service-based dissertation project, informing practice through research.

• Contemporary teaching - Our teaching staff includes practicing researchers and clinical, counselling and health psychologists, with experience across the NHS and private practices (in the UK and internationally).

• Enhanced student support - We strongly believe in enhancing student wellbeing. Each student has a Personal Tutor and the Programme Support Tutors work closely with students throughout the course.

• Research active department - Our department is home to the Stress, Health and Performance Research Group and our staff engage in a wide range of research areas, including health and psychological interventions, and neuropsychobiology.

• Research active department - You’ll have access to our specialist facilities for psychology demonstration and practice, including an fNIR imaging research device, 12 experimental testing laboratories and 6 psychology laboratories.