Course Catalogue

Psychology

Psychological Well Being Practitioners (PWPs) assess and support people with common mental health problems in the self- management of their recovery. To do so they must be able to undertake a range of patient-centred assessments and be able to identify the main areas of concern relevant to the assessment undertaken. They need to have knowledge and competence to be able to apply these in a range of different assessment formats and settings. In all these assessments they need to be able to engage patients and establish an appropriate relationship whilst gathering information in a collaborative manner. They must have knowledge of mental health disorders and the evidence-based therapeutic options available and be able to communicate this knowledge in a clear and unambiguous way so that people can make informed treatment choices. In addition, they must have knowledge of behaviour change models and how these can inform choice of goals and interventions. This module will, therefore, equip PWPs with a good understanding of the incidence, prevalence and presentation of common mental health problems and evidenced-based treatment choices. Skills teaching will develop PWPs’ core ‘common factors’ competencies of active listening, engagement, alliance building, patient-centred information gathering, information giving and shared decision making. Cultural competence for Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners will aim to develop trainees’ ability to recognise their own reaction to people who are perceived to be different and values and beliefs about the issue of difference, so as to be able to work effectively with them.

Outline Syllabus:Concepts of mental health and mental disorders. Patient centred interviewing and assessment including screening and triage assessment within an IAPT service. Information gathering to include - Provisional diagnostic assessment; mental health clustering assessment; psychometric assessment (using the IAPT standardised symptoms measures); problem focused assessment; and intervention planning assessment. Therapeutic relationship building to include:-core ‘common factors’ competencies of active listening, engagement, alliance building, patient-centred information gathering, information giving and shared decision making. Assessing for and managing risk. Problem statements. Setting goals. Documentation and recording of information. Clinical case management and clinical Supervision. Introduction to low intensity interventions - evidence based psychological interventions and medication management. incidence, prevalence and presentation of common mental health problems. Evidence based treatment choices.

Module Overview:
This module will equip you with a good understanding of the incidence, prevalence and presentation of common mental health problems and evidenced-based treatment choices.

Additional Information:All assessments must be passed independently to achieve the credits for the module. Learning outcomes are assessed in both theory and practice. Module assessment strategy 1) Skills assessment - standardised role-play scenario(s) where trainees are required to demonstrate skills in undertaking both triage within an IAPT service and problem focused assessments. This may be a single scenario, combining both triage within an IAPT service and problem focused assessments, or two shorter assessment scenarios. This (these) will be video-recorded and assessed by teaching staff using standardised assessment measures. Marked as Pass/Fail (with 50% pass threshold) 2) Academic assignment: trainees should also provide a reflective critical analytical essay on their performance on the skills assessment. Graded (pass mark of 50%) 3) Successful completion of the following practice aspect of the learning outcomes, to be formatively assessed by means of a practice outcomes portfolio (Practice Skills Assessment Document). Marked as Pass/Fail (with 50% pass threshold): • Demonstrates competency in undertaking and recording a range of assessment formats. This should include both triage within an IAPT service and problem focused assessments. • Demonstrates experience and competence in the assessment of presenting problems across a range of problem descriptor including depression and two or more anxiety disorders. • Demonstrates the common factor competencies necessary to engage patients across the range of assessment formats. These 3 practice learning outcomes will be summatively assessed in module 7202PQHEAL. The training programme requires trainees to learn from observation and skills practice under supervision while working in fully functioning IAPT services, as well as through the theoretical teaching, skills practice and practice-based learning directed by the Higher Education Institute. Trainees should complete a minimum of 80 clinical contact hours with patients (face-to-face or on the telephone) within an IAPT service as a requirement of their training and should undertake a minimum of 40 hours of supervision of which at least 20 hours should be case management supervision and at least 20 hours should be clinical skills supervision. These 80 clinical contact hours and 40 supervision hours are in addition to the 15-20 practice-based learning days directed by education providers. These requirements will be identified in the Practice Placement Skills document ( PSAD) This module runs as part of the Post Graduate Certificate: Improving Access to Psychological Therapies and as a standalone CPD. The module learning outcomes align with the QAA framework for higher education qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The module is aligned to Level 7 descriptors. The module involves classroom attendance, which is further supported by a range of learning support opportunities and practice based learning. This course is both full time and lasts for 52 weeks and part time in which students have up to an additional 12 months to complete the programme. The criteria for admission to the module require that candidates must have an Honours Degree of 2:2 or above or demonstrate equivalent portfolio evidence. The final award is a Continuing Professional Development –Engagement and Assessment of Patients with Common Mental Health Problems, 20 credits at Level 7. The students have access to a Canvas site and the University's other range of electronic support such as access to the electronic library facilities. The module has continued to develop with an up to date Canvas site reflecting contemporary reading lists, links to journal articles and a number of presentations for students to access on areas such as critical writing and library support. The students also have access to the module leader through phone contact, emails and face to face meetings if this is viable. A module guide is also provided, which guides students to the