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EDUC42680

Academic Year 2025/2026

Psychological Theories & Interventions (EDUC42680)

Subject:
Education
College:
Social Sciences & Law
School:
Education
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
10
Module Coordinator:
Dr Kate Carr-Fanning
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
Blended
Internship Module:
No
Module Type:
Clinical Module
How will I be graded?
Pass/Fail (GPA Neutral)

Curricular information is subject to change.

The intention of this module is to support the development of foundational skills and capabilities that are required for the effective implementation of key psychological interventions. Interactive sessions will explore theoretical ideas underpinning key psychological interventions relevant to educational psychology practice. The emphasis is on tuning in to internal resources and strengths to develop resilience skills as psychologists in training. A core part of this module is training in mindfulness-based approaches to cultivate awareness, compassion and acceptance of self and others. Engaging directly with these techniques helps develop calm attention, respond effectively in stressful situations and generally become more present in professional activities.

The module also provides training in core foundational skills in key psychological interventions including counselling skills, solution-focused brief therapy, cognitive-behaviour therapy, and systemic and contemporary behavioural approaches to intervention. The foundational skills and knowledge explored in this module will be advanced and deepened in subsequent modules.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module, trainees will have:
● Developed skills of awareness, compassion and acceptance of multiple perspectives;
● Developed and practiced skills to support personal care needs and professional well-being and resilience;
● Developed knowledge of factors that optimise human development informed by cognitive psychology and neuropsychology;
● Developed a thorough understanding of counselling theory and applications in settings relevant to educational psychology;
● Developed foundational skills in core psychological interventions of solution-focused brief therapy, cognitive-behaviour therapy and systemic and contemporary behaviour therapy approaches including applications in school and health settings.
● Be awarded a certificate of completion of a mindfulness training programme (conditional upon attendance at minimum of 7 sessions, engagement in home practice guidance and maintenance of a personal reflective diary on experience of practices).

Indicative Module Content:

Mindful Awareness Training workshops
Counselling skills workshops
Solution Focused Brief Therapy
CBT

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

30

Small Group

50

Tutorial

12

Seminar (or Webinar)

20

Conversation Class

8

Specified Learning Activities

50

Autonomous Student Learning

40

Placement/Work Experience

60

Total

270


Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Enquiry & Problem-based learning activities,
Active/task-based learning;
Peer and group work;
Lectures
Reflective learning

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 In Module Component Repeat Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): Mindful Awareness Training
1. Engagement, Participation & Group Summary Presentation: Week 8.
2. Reflective Diaries
Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11, Week 12, Week 14, Week 15 Pass/Fail Grade Scale Yes
50
Yes
Participation in Learning Activities: Counselling Skills
Weekly Reflective Journal/Group Presentation/Attendance & Active Participation
Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11, Week 12, Week 14, Week 15 Pass/Fail Grade Scale Yes
50
Yes

Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Peer review activities
• Self-assessment activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Reading lists and recommended reading will be provided weekly.

Name Role
Dr Sheena Burke Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Ms Sarah O'Flanagan Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 19, 22 Mon 09:00 - 16:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21 Mon 09:00 - 16:50