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MDCS42650

Academic Year 2025/2026

Vasarhelyi Mtd&TrainExp Part 2 (MDCS42650)

Subject:
Medicine Clinical Science
College:
Health & Agricultural Sciences
School:
Medicine
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Ms Aisling Kenny
Credit Split by Trimester:
Autumn 2.5
Spring 2.5
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 comprises Child Art Psychotherapy training
sessions and experiential/reflective group work, and is designed to further the students’ understanding of the theory of Child Art
Psychotherapy within the framework of child mental health.

The students will be required to write a 3000 - 4000 word Clinical Case Study essay referring to case vignettes. The students by this stage will have had enough experience on their clinical placement to be able to reflect on the therapeutic method.
The essay on Clinical Case Studies will assess the trainees clinical competence, ability to critically communicate and reflect on
his/her own therapeutic intervention and will allow the student to demonstrate the ability to work independently as a professional practitioner. The essay will be submitted at the end of Autumn of Year 2.

Criteria for marking include:

• Clarity of structure, style and description of clinical material
• Understanding of the therapeutic relationship between therapist, client and the pictorial image.
• The ability to critically reflect on the therapeutic method applied in working with the client

This module is taught throughout Year 2 of the program to deepen the students 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.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

Students will be able to describe and reflect on the Vasarhelyi method of Child Art Psychotherapy, and compare with other psychotherapy theories.

The students will be required to write a 3000 - 4000 word Clinical Case Study essay referring to case vignettes. The students by this stage will have had enough experience on their clinical placement to be able to reflect on the therapeutic method.
The essay on Clinical Case Studies will assess the trainees clinical competence, ability to critically communicate and reflect on
his/her own therapeutic intervention and will allow the student to demonstrate the ability to work independently as a professional practitioner. The essay will be submitted at the end of Autumn of Year 2.

Criteria for marking include:

• Clarity of structure, style and description of clinical material
• Understanding of the therapeutic relationship between therapist, client and the pictorial image.
• The ability to critically reflect on the therapeutic method applied in working with the client

Indicative Module Content:

This module is taught by way of lectures specific to the Vasarhelyi method of Child Art Psychotherapy specifically delivered through a series of lectures, seminars and case presentations over Year2. In this module students deepen their understanding of the Vasarhelyi Method of Child Art Psychotherapy. Through continued experiential and method specific practice groups trainees simultaneously acquire the theoretical knowledge and skills necessary for the competent professional practice of Child Art Psychotherapy. 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. Opportunities are provided for trainees to experience and reflect on the roles of both client and therapist.

At the end of Trimester 1 Year 2 students are required to write a Clinical Case Study essay. This essay of 3,000 assesses trainees’ clinical competence, using clinical vignettes and their ability to critically reflect on their own therapeutic interventions. This essay also demonstrates the trainee’s ability to work independently as a professional practitioner.

Criteria for marking include:

Clarity of structure, style and description of clinical material.
Understanding of the therapeutic relationship between therapist, client and the pictorial image.
Awareness of the role of the therapist within the multidisciplinary team.
Critical reflection on the therapeutic method applied in working with the client.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

6

Small Group

10

Autonomous Student Learning

100

Total

116


Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Students are taught in group teaching sessions.
Delivered through a series of lectures, seminars and case presentations.
Student will deepen their understanding of 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 In Module Component Repeat Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): The Clinical Case Study is a written piece of work involving critical reasoning, reflection, synthesis and a dialectical analysis of case presentation and material, articulating a specific client. Week 12 Spring Graded Yes
100
Yes

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

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?

Not yet recorded.