PYMBWT-Basic Skills for Working with Trauma
Module Provider: Psychology
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites: A pre-requirement for studying these modules is to have passed PYMIN1 or PYMIN3 in either the current qualification programme, or in previous qualifications gained with CWI
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4
Module Convenor: Dr Melissa Snaith
Email: m.h.snaith@reading.ac.uk
Summary module description:
This module will focus on all of the basic understanding and skills students will need in order to work with clients who experience PTSD (following type I trauma). Students will gain an understanding of psychological theories and of the current evidence-based interventions for treating PSTD. In particular, students will gain skills in the assessment and formulation of PTSD as well as in specific therapeutic techniques in working with PTSD. Emphasis will also be placed on students’ own self-care when working with highly distressed clients. The aims of the module are to: 1. Train students in current research and psychological theories of PTSD. 2. Develop skills in assessment and formulation of PTSD. 3. Train students in evidence-based psychological treatment of PTSD, specifically skills in trauma-focused CBT, as recommended by the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). 4. Train students in optimizing outcome for their clients by taking individual differences and contexts into consideration. 5. The importance of students’ own self-care will also be emphasized. 6. To constructively discuss the clinical work of themselves and others presented in small discussion groups.
Aims:
This module will focus on all of the basic understanding and skills students will need in order to work with clients who experience PTSD (following type I trauma). Students will gain an understanding of psychological theories and of the current evidence-based interventions for treating PSTD. In particular, students will gain skills in the assessment and formulation of PTSD as well as in specific therapeutic techniques in working with PTSD. Emphasis will also be placed on students’ own self-care when working with highly distressed clients.
The aims of the module are to:
1. Train students in current research and psychological theories of PTSD.
2. Develop skills in assessment and formulation of PTSD.
3. Train students in evidence-based psychological treatment of PTSD, specifically skills in trauma-focused CBT, as recommended by the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE).
4. Train students in optimizing outcome for their clients by taking individual differences and contexts into consideration.
5. The importance of students’ own self-care will also be emphasized.
6. To constructively discuss the clinical work of themselves and others presented in small discussion groups.
Assessable learning outcomes:
-To understand psychological theories of PTSD. This will be assessed through a knowledge and skills exam.
Additional outcomes:
- Students will gain confidence in working with clients with PTSD.
- Academically, students will develop skills in critical appraisal of research and develop theory-practice links.
- Through the small group discussions during teaching, students will gain skills in becoming a reflective practitioner.
- Students will also develop and apply skills in self-care.
Outline content:
Topics to be covered include:
a) diagnostic criteria, epidemiology and co-morbidity of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
b) psychological theories of PTSD
c) assessment and formulation of PTSD
d) basic skills of trauma-focused CBT (constructing a narrative account, identification of hot spots, enhanced reliving, thought challenging, behavioural experiments, stimulus discrimination training)
e) additional issues (stabilisation, grounding techniques, reclaiming your life, visiting the trauma site)
f) self-care for therapists
The key reference for this module is: Ehlers, A. & Clark, D.M. (2000).
Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
The aims of this module will be achieved through four day workshops, which will incorporate lectures, role-plays, small group discussions, and small homework assignments. Students’ knowledge and skills will be assessed through an exam, which will take place at the end of the teaching..
Contact hours:
4 workshop (teaching) days = 23 hours
Total contact hours for this module will be a minimum of 200, to include teaching workshops
and guided independent study.
Summative Assessment Methods:
| Method |
Percentage |
| Class test administered by School |
100 |
Summative assessment- Examinations:
2 hours
Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:
Knowledge Assessment
The questions include an assessment of the students' (i) knowledge of the theory they have learned and (ii) knowledge of the treatment resulting from that theory.
Penalties for late submission:
The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy “Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes”, which can be found here: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmissionpgflexible.pdf
The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:
- where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
- where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.
The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at:
https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.
Assessment requirements for a pass:
50%. A minimum of 80% attendance is required.
Reassessment arrangements:
Students who do not obtain the required pass mark in the assessed work will be given the opportunity to resit on one further occasion. The re-sit grade cannot exceed 50%.
Additional Costs (specified where applicable):
1) Required text books: None
2) Specialist equipment or materials: None
3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: None
4) Printing and binding: None
5) Computers and devices with a particular specification: None
6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence: None
Last updated: 30 March 2023
THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS MODULE DESCRIPTION DOES NOT FORM ANY PART OF A STUDENT'S CONTRACT.