Adult Mental Health (P02079)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 12 ? Acronym : HEA-P-AMH

This course is mandatory for all DClinPsychol first year postgraduate students. Students will develop a critical overview of the application of clinical psychology to a wide range of psychological disorders. Students will receive knowledge based sessions, leading to a critical analysis and understanding of the principle theories and practices typically used with adults with psychological disorders. In addition, students will receive practical training on using therapeutic skills most often encountered in the adult mental health specialism and will be taught sufficient generic awareness and understanding of these skills and knowledge to be able to apply them to novel problems and circumstances. The course will allow trainees to be able to fully benefit from the associated clinical placement and to be able to perform in adult mental health settings with a high degree of autonomy and initiative. Complex professional issues will be covered, including engagement, assessment, formulation, treatment and evaluation. Controversies and debates within adult mental health will be explored and trainees will be expected to reflect upon these and reach independent, defendable conclusions regarding their own practice.

? Keywords : Clinical Psychology, Adult Mental Health, Psychological Disorders, Assessment, Formulation, Intervention, Evaluation, Controversies, Complex Professional Issues, Skills and Knowledge.

Entry Requirements

? This course is not available to visting students.

? Pre-requisites : Compulsory 1st year core course for D.Clin.Psychol.

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Clinical Psychology, (School of Health in Social Science, Schedule D)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : Postgraduate

? Delivery Period : Full Year (Blocks 1-4)

? Contact Teaching Time : 35 hour(s) per week for 6 weeks

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

- Have a theoretical understanding of the main psychological disorders routinely referred to adult clinical psychology services, including depression, panic disorder, specific phobias, social anxiety, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder and generalised anxiety disorder
- Have knowledge of the assessment, formulation and intervention skills required for treating these psychological disorders
- Have an understanding of the therapeutic relationship and other therapeutic factors and their influence on the therapeutic process and treatment outcome
- Be aware of the need for open mindedness regarding the use of various psychotherapeutic approaches
- Have an awareness and understanding of the communication and team working skills necessary to fulfil their role and responsibilities as a clinical psychologist, regardless of the setting in which they work.
- Be aware of responsibilities to ethnic minorities and have an understanding of the needs of individuals from various cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
- Have knowledge of the social and environmental influences on psychological problems and develop skills in applying psychosocial interventions.
- Be aware for the need to be measuring outcome and reviewing practice at clinician and service level
- Have an understanding of the role and approaches of other disciplines involved in the treatment of mental illness.
- Have an understanding of the specific clinical needs of individuals with severe and enduring mental illness, including the psychoses, bi-polar disorders and personality disorders.