Psychological Treatment, Including Psychotherapy, 30 credits

Passed results from semester 1-7 of the psychology programme consisting of 210 credits and at least 15 credits from semester 8.

Students who fail a clinical placement (or equivalent) as a result of demonstrating such a serious lack of knowledge, skills or attitude that patient safety or the patients' confidence in medical care is at risk, will only be qualified for a new clinical placement once the individual action plan has been carried out.

Module 1, Client work under supervision, part 1, 6 credits

On completion of the course, the student should be able to

• under supervision carry out behavioural analysis/case conceptualisation, assessment, treatment planning, treatment and treatment evaluation with clients (children and/or adults) who have commonly occurring problems (e.g. anxiety/ mood disorder, health or stress-related problems)
• plan for and scientifically evaluate the psychological treatments that the student carries out within the scope of the course
• write a treatment report, journal notes, and reflect on the experiences of the treatment for at least one client

Module 2, Evidence-based treatment models and clinical skills, 13.5 credits

On completion of this course module, the student should be able to

• describe research methodology and relevant concepts in psychotherapy research, including using time series analyses and "single-subject" design
• describe what is included in a scientific clinical evaluation and be able to plan one
• in an integrated way describe, critically review and discuss evidence-based principles, research discoveries and treatment models and methods in commonly occurring problems such as for example anxiety, mood disorder, eating disorders, abuse, personality disorders, psychoses, trauma/sorrow/crisis, sexual problems, couple problems, and other difficulties such as low self-esteem, perfectionism, and emotional avoidance
• illustrate and model the application of central evidence-based principles/technologies
• describe different pitfalls i treatment and how one decreases the risk of succumbing to these
• have knowledge of how one adapts assessment, psychological treatment and clinical evaluation in specific contexts (e.g. in conversations that take place via interpreter, group treatment, couple therapy, family therapy, cultural differences, gender perspective)

Module 3, Psychological treatment methods, modes of action and implementation, 4.5 credits

On completion of this part of the course, the student should be able to

• reflect critically on different theoretical perspectives on treatment for example by an analysis of similarities and differences between these perspectives, their strengths and potential limitations
• discuss and reflect on central non-specific therapeutic factors (e.g. therapeutic alliance and general therapist skills)
• describe and discuss potential active mechanisms in psychological treatment and be able to use research-related concepts as mediators and moderators
• describe current empirical evidence of the importance of general and specific factors with regard to outcome of psychological treatment including psychotherapy
• reflect on implementation factors such as treatment fidelity, quality of execution of the treatment and organisational conditions for treatment

Module 4, Client work under supervision, part 2, 6 credits

On completion of this part of the course, the student should be able to

• under supervision independently carry out behavioural analysis/case conceptualisation, assessment, treatment planning, treatment and treatment evaluation with clients (children and/or adults), that have commonly occurring problems (e.g. anxiety/mood disorders, health or stress-related problems) plan for and scientifically evaluate (measure, critically review, analyse and discuss) the psychological treatments that the student carries out within the scope of the course
• write treatment report, journal notes and reflect on experiences of treatment for at least one client
• describe and critically reflect, illustrate to others and discuss how one applies and adjust therapeutic principles and technologies
• integrate scientific, social and ethical aspects in assessment, treatment and evaluation
• reflect critically on how to create an approach that is characterised by sustainable development in ones professional role and work (e.g. preventing burn-out, continued skill development, etc.)

The student is expected from previous courses to have basic knowledge of assessment and testing methodology, the DSM system, interview techniques, and various psychological schools of thought/theories within the therapeutic field from the past to the present (psychodynamic, cognitive and behavioral therapies, learning theory / behaviour analysis). In this course, the knowledge is complemented with knowledge of integrative trends within the field of psychotherapy, combination therapy (pharmaceuticals and psychological treatment), and knowledge about specific client and context-related issues. The students are to a large extent expected to be active and independently gather knowledge through literature, role play, preparation before supervision and client work, as well as seminars.

The course consists of four modules.

The student is allowed, under the supervision of a licensed psychologist / licensed psychotherapist with the relevant expertise, to carry out at least one treatment of a client with commonly occurring problem areas The supervision is given in groups of about 4-5 students. To optimise the supervision, the sessions are auditory recorded, and the student writes a session report for each supervision session. Client work is divided into two course modules, supervision and client work continue during the spring semester within the framework of course module 4. The supervision is given regularly, weekly about 3 hours per occasion, all in all 120 hours, distributed over the two semesters. Students will carry out their supervised treatment within the psychotherapeutic method that has shown evidence for the current patient's problems. In accordance with the current state of research, emphasis will be on cognitive behaviour therapy, CBT, but other evidence-based methods may also be considered.

This course moduel contains in-depth knowledge of planning and treatment for children, adolescents and adults with DSM diagnoses such as anxiety, mood disorder, eating disorders, abuse, personality disorders and psychoses, and other common areas of concern. Evidence-based approach is illustrated including examples from manuals that formed the basis for research, as well as briefings and training in the use of central treatment components. The student obtains specific training in therapeutic strategies and skills to improve the quality of completed treatments and decrease the risk of drop outs. Students also obtain knowledge of how they can handle common difficulties, pitfalls and impediments in clinical treatment (e.g. insufficient compliance with treatment, work with an interpreter etc.) This course module takes place largely through modelling lectures, role-playing exercises, video recordings of role plays, discussions and reflections.

Within the framework of this module, central therapeutic factors such as therapeutic alliance and the therapist-client relationhsip are discussed. Furthermore, there is reflection on questions regarding different theoretical perspectives, integration of treatment forms, action mechanisms in the treatment and implementation issues. The students will also conduct a lecture. This part of the course takes place largely through problem-based learning, individual studies and reflections.

The teaching consists of teacher-supervised lectures, clinical demonstrations of different psychotherapeutic methods via for example films, video vignettes and modelling, group exercises with elements of practical training, discussions and role play seminars, review of the role play execises via film recordings, group assignments and reflection exercises (partly via course web). The students are expected to take active responsibility for literature searches regarding evidence-based treatment methods, research findings and critical review and reflection on the literature. Within the scope of module 1 and 4, specific supervision is given by a registered psychologist/ registered psychotherapist with cognitive behaviour therapy specialisation or other appropriate therapeutic specialisation for the client work that the student will carry out.

Certain seminars, reflective assignments and exercise sessions are compulsory. The course coordinator assesses how absence from compulsory education elements can be caught up. Study results cannot be reported until the student has participated in compulsory course elements or compensated for any absence in accordance with instructions from the course coordinator. Absence from a compulsory course element could mean that the student can not retake the element until the next time the course is offered.

Module 1
The student's knowledge is examined through
1) a minimum of one completed client work
2) 90% attendance at supervision sessions
3) submitted session reports, approved journal notes and completed approved treatment report

On this module the grades are Pass/ Fail.

Module 2
The student's knowledge of evidence-based treatment is examined through
1) written assignment and reflection (Pass/ Fail)
2) two written examinations (Pass/ Fail)
3) role play of therapeutic skills (Pass/ Fail)
4) review of film-recorded role play (Pass/ Fail)
5) at least 80% attendance with active participation in the lectures and seminars of the module (Pass/ Fail)

On this module the grades are Pass/ Fail.

Module 3
The student's knowledge of evidence-based treatment is examined through
1) an individually performed assessment work (Pass/ Fail)
2) a lecture about the individuallally performed assessment work
3) a written, reflective assignment (Pass/ Fail)
4) a minimum of 80% attendance with active participation in the lectures and seminars of the module (Pass/ Fail)

On this module the grades are Pass/ Fail.

Module 4
The student's knowledge is examined through
1) at least one completed client work
2) a minimum of 90% attendance at supervision sessions
3) submitted session reports, approved journal notes and completed approved treatment report
4) role-playing exercises
5) an individually performed assessment work
6) a case discussion seminar

On this module the grades are Pass/ Fail.

In order to pass the course in its entirety a pass grade is required on all examination assignments in modules 1-4. In the case of absence that can lead to insufficient goal attainment, the course coordinator will determine whether a complementary assignment is required. If this is not possible, another opportunity is given to take the course in full the next time it runs.

Limitation of examinations on theoretical course modules
Students who have not passed the regular examination are entitled to participate in five future examinations (next examination can however take place the next time the course is given). If the student has failed six examinations/tests, no additional examination is given. Each occasion the student participates in the same test counts as an examination. Submission of a blank exam paper is regarded as an examination. In case a student is registered for an examination but does not attend, this is not regarded as an examination.

Limitation of placement/ clinical modules
The student has the right according to KI's local guidelines to take the placement/clinical parts (modules 1 and 4 "Client work under supervision part 1 and Client work under supervision part 2" on this course) a maximum of two (2) times. A student who has not passed a regular placement/clinical module (modules 1 and 4 "Client work under supervision part 1 and Client work under supervision part 2") has the right to participate on one further occasion (this can however take place the next time the course is given).

If a student is at risk of failing on modules 1 or 4, Client work under supervision, the student should be informed about this orally and in writing at the mid-way assessment during the semester. Furthermore, a written plan of action for how the student will be able to achieve pass level of the part of the course should be established by the supervisor and the student together with the course module coordinator/examiner. This takes place so that the student is given the opportunity to improve his knowledge.

The examiner may with immediate effect interrupt a student's placement (internship) or the equivalent if the student shows such serious deficiencies in knowledge, skills or attitude that client/patient safety or clients'/employers'/patients' confidence in the services/healthcare is jeopardised. If a clinical placement is interrupted in this way the student is deemed to have failed that element and to have used up one clinical placement opportunity. In such cases, an individual action plan should be set up stating which activities and tests are required before the student is qualified for a new clinical placement on the course.

If there are special grounds, or a need for adaptation for a student with a disability, the examiner may decide to deviate from the syllabus's regulations on the examination form, the number of examination opportunities, the possibility of supplementation or exemptions from the compulsory section/s of the course etc. Content and learning outcomes as well as the level of expected knowledge, skills, and approach may not be changed, removed or reduced.

The transition rules follow KI's local guidelines for examination.

The course is given at the rate of 80% during the first semester (autumn term) and 20% during the second semester (spring term). Modules 1-3 run over semester 9 and course module 4 during semester 10.

The course will not be credited in a degree together with another course the student has completed and passed which completely or partly corresponds to the contents of this course. The following courses are (partly) overlapping: 2PS023, Psychological treatment methods including psychotherapy, 30.0 credits, 2PS030 and Psychological treatment methods including psychotherapy, 30.0 credits

Course evaluation takes place in accordance with KI's local guidelines. Results and possible actions are communicated to the students on the course web page. Course evaluations that are answered by less than 50% of the students are disregarded.