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MDCS42640

Academic Year 2026/2027

Vasarhelyi Mtd&TrainExp Part 1 (MDCS42640)

Subject:
Medicine Clinical Science
College:
Health & Agricultural Sciences
School:
Medicine
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
10
Module Coordinator:
Ms Aisling Kenny
Credit Split by Trimester:
Autumn 5
Spring 5
Trimester:
2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr)
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
Module Type:
Research/Capstone Module
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module is part of the Professional Masters in Child Art Psychotherapy, encompassing the theoretical and practical elements of the Vasarhelyi Method of Child Art Psychotherapy.

This module involves:

1) Child Art Psychotherapy training sessions and experiential/reflective group work, and is designed to provide an understanding of the theory of Child Art Psychotherapy within the framework of child mental health.
2) The development and understanding of the trainee's own pictorial language is facilitated during the sessions and the visual images produced are used in an experiential/teaching context.
3) Opportunities are provided for trainees to experience and reflect on the roles of both client and therapist.

This module is taught throughout Years 1 and 2 of the course alongside the Clinical Placement, Supervision, and Psychotherapy Models modules in a way that the trainees simultaneously acquire the theoretical knowledge and skills necessary for the competent, professional practice of Child Art Psychotherapy.

100% attendance is expected, but 80% attendance is the minimum attendance required to achieve credit for the module. Absences must be discussed with the module coordinator or course lecturers, who will require supporting documentation (e.g. medical certificates). Students who miss part of the module may be asked to do a further piece of work in remediation.

Group process work is a component of the Vasarhelyi Method Training and Experiential Modules. Students participate in a process group with an accredited group facilitator every Friday from 4:00pm to 5:30pm during term time in Years 1 and 2. Students reflect on their own therapeutic processes, experiences, and on group dynamics. Students engage in 90 hours of group psychotherapy over the first two years of the programme.

100% attendance is expected, but 80% required to pass this module.

AI Use Permitted for Limited Support

Students may use AI tools for limited support in this module (e.g. idea generation, practice questions, or as a study aid). However, students remain fully responsible for the accuracy and reliability of their learning. Any use of AI must be cited appropriately.

Welcome - Artificial Intelligence - LibGuides at UCD Library

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

The module is designed to provide training in the clinical practice of Child Art Psychotherapy within the framework of child mental health.
Graduates have a specialised knowledge and understanding of the development of the theory of pictorial thinking and its application in clinical practice.


Effective from September 2026, the Additional Considerations for Assessment Policy replaces the Extenuating Circumstances Policy and the Late Submission of Coursework Policy. It provides a consistent and supportive framework for students whose circumstances affect their ability to meet assessment requirements. While students are expected to engage with their programme and fulfil its academic requirements, UCD is committed to supporting them when difficulties arise.

Self-Declare Extensions are one of the support mechanisms available under the policy. This allows students to avail of an extension of up to five working days on eligible assessment tasks:

without an academic penalty;
without providing supporting documentation;
without seeking academic approval; and
provided they declare their intention to avail of an extension before the original submission deadline.

Please familiarise with Self-Declare For Extensions Students website coming soon.

Indicative Module Content:

Training in Vasarhelyi Method of Child Art Psychotherapy.

The United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as core to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and UCD contributes in general to SDG 4 Quality Education. Further SDGs explored within this module if relevant are listed below. A scale of 1 - 5 indicates the extent to which the SDG is covered.


Goal Name Description Coverage

Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages 5

Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all 5

Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls 5

Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all 5

Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation 5

Reduce inequality within and among countries 5

Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable 5

Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns 5

Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development 5

Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss 5

Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels 5

Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development 5
 

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

10
Small Group

20
Autonomous Student Learning

220
Total

250

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Students are taught in group teaching sessions.
The development of reflective practice is considered an important part of this module.
Student will learn about the Vasarhelyi Method of Child Art Psychotherapy through a series of lectures, seminars and case presentations

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade Component repeat (in-module) Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): Students are asked to prepare a 1,500 word written description on how they have experienced working with the Vasarhelyi method in clinical work and/or in their own experiential work in the course Week 15 Spring Graded Yes
100
 Yes

As part of UCD's student support, under the Additional Consideration policy, extensions may be available for the following assessments in the module: Assignment (including essay/poster), Portfolio, Reflective Assignment, Report(s), and Individual Project.


Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Remediation Type Remediation Timing
In-Module Resit Prior to relevant Programme Exam Board
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Students are invited to contact the Programme Leader and their clinical supervisor (group) following receipt of grades to learn from their work

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