MDCS30010 Theoretical Overview of the Psychotherapies

Academic Year 2023/2024

This wide-ranging module provides an introduction and overview to the field of psychotherapy, outlining the fundamental concepts and premises of the major approaches. It includes consideration of the implications of working with the unconscious and transference brought to our attention by psychoanalysis and the consequences for diagnosis and treatment are considered. Comparatively, classical theories of development from infancy to old age are presented, again with consideration of their pertinence for psychotherapy practice. The clinical features, epidemiology and aetiology of the main psychiatric disorders are also covered with a focus on the concepts of vulnerability and resilience and the continuities and discontinuities of psychiatric disorders throughout the life cycle.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should be able to: 1. Have an understanding of an overview of the history of the major forms of psychotherapy; 2. Have awareness of the difference between psychotherapeutic work which is based on the concept of the unconscious and that which is not; 3. Demonstrate an understanding of the psychodynamic theories of development from infancy to old age ;5. Demonstrate an understanding of the clinical features of the major psychiatric disorders; 6. Demonstrate awareness of the principles and context of treatment decisions relating to the main psychiatric conditions

Indicative Module Content:

The includes consideration of the implications of working with the unconscious and transference brought to our attention by psychoanalysis and the consequences for diagnosis and treatment are considered. Comparatively, classical theories of development from infancy to old age are presented, again with consideration of their pertinence for psychotherapy practice. The clinical features, epidemiology and aetiology of the main psychiatric disorders are also covered with a focus on the concepts of vulnerability and resilience and the continuities and discontinuities of psychiatric disorders throughout the life cycle.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

20
Specified Learning Activities

20
Autonomous Student Learning

60
Total

100
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Delivered by a practitioner-teacher; peer and group work; lectures; critical writing; reflective learning; enquiry & problem-based learning; discussion; case-based learning; student presentations, 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Assignment: in-class group discussion followed by submission of brief written report Varies over the Trimester n/a Graded No

40
Essay: One 2,000 word essay Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Graded No

60

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
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?

On completion of an assessment and after its grade has been approved by the Exam Board students are invited to contact the Programme Co-ordinator to request a feedback meeting

Name Role
Dr Grainne Donohue Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Ms Monica Errity Tutor
Ms Emma Grimes Tutor
Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
 

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