Assessment and psychological treatment of individuals II

The course is at advanced level and is part of the Psychology Programme at the University of Gothenburg. It is offered in 8th term.

The course can be part of the following programme: 1) Programme for Master of Science in Psychology (S2PSY)

Only students admitted to the five year Psychology Programme at the University of Gothenburg have access to this course.

The course content is closely connected to practical clinical work.

Modules

1. Depth study CBT (Delkurs 1, Fördjupningsarbete KBT), 3 credits

Grading scale: Pass (G) and Fail (U)

In Module 1 students carry out a project based on current research
in psychotherapy subareas relevant for the clinical treatment in cognitive behaviour therapy. The project is written individually and presented in seminars.

2. Application of treatment and clinical supervision, CBT (Delkurs 2, Tillämpning av behandling och klinisk handledning, KBT), 2 credits

Grading scale: Pass (G) and Fail (U)

Module 2 focuses on training skills in cognitive behaviour therapy. Students put theory into practice during a regular supervision of their work with patients. The supervised patient care that is done over three semesters is continued during this semester. The supervision is done in groups of max. four students and with at least 60 hours of supervision. Under special circumstances an individual supervision can take place of about 30 hours. During the supervision period, active patient work must take place. That means that several patient work can be included. During this course, the work with patients continues with more complex treatment than the previous semester. During the three semesters, the student must work with patients with different issues,

3. Application of treatment and clinical supervision, PDT (Delkurs 3, Tillämpning av behandling och klinisk handledning, PDT), 2 credits

Grading scale: Pass (G) and Fail (U)

Module 3 includes training in psychodynamic psychotherapy. Students put theory into practice during a regular supervision of their work with patients. During this term students continue with a supervised patient care in groups of max. four students and with at least 60 hours of supervision. The patient work continues for three terms. Under special circumstances an individual supervision can take place of about 30 hours.

4. General aspects of psychotherapy (Delkurs 4, Generella aspekter i psykoterapi), 1 credits

Grading scale: Pass (G) and Fail (U)

In Module 4 students develop their understanding and knowledge of general aspects in the psychotherapeutic field.

Learning outcomes for Module 1

On completion of the course the student should be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• understand and explain central treatment models in cognitive behavioral therapy at advanced level
• demonstrate knowledge of the scientific evidence of the CBT field and demonstrate awareness that this knowledge may be reviewed through scientific testing

Competence and skills 

• demonstrate the ability to critically and independently review, assess and use relevant information, and be able to convey knowledge to non-professionals in an understandable way

Judgement and approach

• demonstrate the ability to identify own need for additional knowledge and to continuously develop own skills in CBT

Learning outcomes for Modules 2 and 3 

On completion of the course the student should be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• demonstrate knowledge of the field's scientific basis
• demonstrate knowledge of relevant statutes
• demonstrate knowledge of both CBT and PDT methods for investigation and treatment of individuals.

Competence and skills

• demonstrate the ability to provide a psychological treatment
• demonstrate the ability to provide psychotherapy under supervision
• demonstrate the ability to report a treatment, taken actions and results to the parties concerned orally and in writing and document these in accordance with relevant statutes
• demonstrate the ability to critically and independently review, assess and use relevant interventions
• enter into and implement a psychotherapeutic contract with frameworks and contribute to a constructive working alliance
• demonstrate the ability to communicate verbally and non-verbally in a psychotherapeutic context

Judgement and approach

• demonstrate the ability to continuously develop self-awareness and empathy
• demonstrate the ability to identify one's need for additional knowledge and continuously develop one's skills
• demonstrate the ability to take a professional approach to clients
• show awareness of how own self is affected by and influence others, and reflect on one's own strengths and weaknesses in relation to future professional requirements and reflect on the possibility of changing one's own thought and action patterns
• reflect on oneself and one's way of thinking, feeling and functioning together with other people

Learning outcomes for Module 4

On completion of the course the student should be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• show knowledge of general aspects in psychotherapy Competence and skills
• demonstrate the ability to reflect and discuss the importance of general aspects to provide an effective psychotherapy

Judgement and approach

• show awareness how being a therapist can influence the psychotherapy and the possibilities to develop one's ability to provide psychotherapy

The teaching methods include lectures, seminars and supervision.

Language of instruction: Swedish

Students are assessed during seminars, supervision and through individual assignments. All these components are compulsory.

Missed exam session must be compensated according to instructions from the course coordinator.

In Module 1, the student is examined by writing an advanced project and presenting it orally, as well as commenting on another student's project both orally and in writing.

In Modules 2 and 3, students' knowledge, skills and approaches (interpersonal, ethical, professional and linguistic) are continuously assessed. The student should demonstrate the ability to develop self-awareness, empathy and be able to actively and critically reflect on their own role in the therapeutic work.

If the student does not satisfy the above requirements or on several occasions is absent from supervision or has not completed their work responsibility, the patient care is cancelled, which leads to failing the module.

The student must attend at least 80 % of the supervision and show an ability to absorb the supervision. Furthermore, knowledge and ability to apply the Department of Psychology's psychotherapy office's routines. These include, among others, keeping of records, storing notes, handling security routines and access cards. If the student fails the course, only one more chance to complete the module is given, as the possibility to take part in the examination is limited to two.

The second try can be started no earlier than the semester following the failure of the course.

Module 4 is assessed through written individual submission and participation in an compulsory seminar.

All teaching can form basis for examination.

A student who has failed the same examination twice by the same examiner has the right to change the examiner. The student shall submit a written request to the Department. The request shall be granted unless there are special reasons to the contrary (Chapter 6, Section 22 of Higher Education Ordinance).

A student with a recommendation for special educational support from the University of Gothenburg may receive an adapted examination or alternative examination form provided that the examiner decides it is compatible with the course objectives and it does not require unreasonable resources.

In the event where a course has been discontinued or has undergone major changes, the student is guaranteed at least three examinations (including the ordinary examination) during a period of at least one year up to two years after the course has been discontinued/changed. The same applies for internships and on-the-job trainings, but with a restriction to only one additional examination session.

The grading scale comprises: Pass (G) and Fail (U). Passing the course requires:

• Active participation in all compulsory parts.
• A passed advanced project that is presented in writing and orally, a written and oral feedback on other student's project.
• A passed submission on general aspects in psychotherapy and attendance on an compulsory seminar.
• Implementation of patient care. For the CBT-part: a min. one written behavioural analysis and one treatment report. For the PDT-part: to provide a patient care during 2 terms (started in Investigation and psychological treatment of individuals I, and completed in the current course). A long written therapy summary on a patient work within PDT (can be done on patient work that is examined in this course or alternatively on the patient work from Investigation and psychological treatment III). Continuous assessment of one's knowledge, skills and approaches (interpersonal, ethical, professional and linguistic). Demonstration of the ability to develop self-awareness, empathy and ability to actively and critically reflect on own role in the therapeutic work. It is required at least 80% attendance at supervision and the student should demonstrate the ability to profit by supervision. If the student does not satisfy the above requirements or on several occasions is absent from the supervision or does not complete their work responsibility, the patient care is cancelled. In a case of not passing the course, the student is given only one more chance to complete it according to an individual study plan (see Other).

The course coordinator is responsible for ensuring that students are given the opportunity to provide an anonymous, written course evaluation at the end of the course. On completion of the course, the course coordinator writes a course report, which includes a summary of students' feedback about the course. The course report is discussed in a relevant course evaluation group and is communicated both to the students who completed the course evaluation as well as to the students who are starting the course. The reports are available to students.

Modules 2 and 3 focus on patient care under supervision, which implies contact with clients/patients. This part includes training in cognitive behaviour therapy and psychodynamic psychotherapy.

The examiner can abort the work with patients and also fail a student during the course, if supervisor and examiner together make the assesement that the student are making serious mistakes in their interaction with clients, or that there is a risk that the student can harm someone in their work with patients. The part includes training in psychodynamic psychotherapy. When the patient care is cancelled, the course coordinator together with study counsellor and student writes an individual study plan that is approved by education manager. The plan should include:

1. the student's shortcomings in terms of knowledge, skills and/or approaches (interpersonal, ethical, professional and linguistic).
2. what skills the student needs to develop and how much supervision time the student can receive as additional support.
3. in what way supervision, testing and/or other assessment should take place before new patient work can be started.

Students whose patient work was cancelled, are given only one more chance to do patient work (cancellation due to sick leave, or other valid cancellation supported by certificate, is excluded). New patient work must start within two years from the cancellation.

Students are responsible to make sure they have access to the internet, a computer, or other digital tools if required.

This course syllabus was confirmed by Department of Psychology on 2016-11-22 and was revised on 2023-11-15