Self directed Experience/Therapeutic Skills 1- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, 1 credits

- Passed a Master of Science in Psychology (in accordance with the 1982 curriculum or later provisions), or - a University Medical Degree specialising in psychiatry or child and adolescent psychiatry, or - a Bachelor of Science in Social Work, or - another equivalent degree (bachelor’s degree/vocational degree) worth at least 180 higher education credits For the last two groups, basic psychotherapy education or equivalent is also required. The applicant must have been employed for at least two years following the undergraduate psychotherapy training, and during these two years must have worked in psychotherapy under the supervision of a qualified psychotherapist. The applicant must have, with in the basic psychotherapeutic education or otherwise, participated in at least 20 hours of own psychotherapy or self directed experience with a qualified psychotherapist. The applicant must have employer certification to demonstrate that, while studying, the applicant will work part-time dealing with psychotherapeutic duties within psychiatric care or equivalent duties. In addition, knowledge in Swedish and English equivalent to courses Swedish B and English A (with at least grade Passed) is compulsory.

Knowledge and understanding
On completion of the course, the students will be able to:
- account in detail for the significance of theories and therapist variables in the therapy situation.
- account in detail for methods for continuously noting and describing the quality of their own therapist behaviour and professional role in relation to effects on the patient in the therapy situation.

Skills and abilities
On completion of the course, the students will be able to:
- demonstrate an ability to review their own therapeutic behaviour

Values and attitudes
On completion of the course, the students will be able to:
- review their own values that may affect their own professional practice, including formulating in behavioural terms what it means not to discriminate against people on the grounds of their gender, ethnic origin, religion or other declaration of faith, sexual orientation or disability.

Teaching takes place individually and in groups. The course consists of three sections with different pedagogical focuses in order to develop within those aspects that are known in research as therapist variables, the role of the therapist and gaining one’s own experience of therapeutic techniques, as well as acquiring methods for developing one’s own therapist role. The course consists of three parts:

i) Lectures about the role of the therapist, the evidential situation in relation to therapist behaviour and therapist development, professional context such as journals and conferences, and professional risks.

ii) Individual mentoring discussions. The aim of these discussions is to formulate, clarify and monitor individual objectives, one’s own prioritisation and scheduling. This should lead to a written development plan for the student, which includes procedures for self-registration and improving variables in the professional role.

Mentoring discussions are prepared for by the student drawing up a preliminary plan in advance, which is sent to the mentor. During the mentoring discussions, the mentor and the student should jointly identify and clarify the therapist variables that the student believes he or she needs to develop and/or the other aspects relating to the therapist role and therapist behaviour where the student has noted that change needs to be initiated. They should also monitor and evaluate the fulfilment of objectives together on a regular basis, and revise – and, if necessary, add to – the student’s development objectives.

iii) Practice groups. These include both theories about therapist variables and demonstrations and exercises in group format. Students follow their own development in therapist variables by giving each other positive feedback in group supervision on recorded patient sessions. The student selects a suitable twenty minute long extract from a patient discussion before each practice group. This selection is transcribed and coded by the student in accordance with a psychometrically validated system. One discussion during term 1 and one during term 6 are coded by independent coders.

Teaching takes place in the form of lectures, group exercises, seminars and individual discussions.

All attendance is mandatory. Students will not pass in the event of more than 20% absence. In the event of absence of no more than 20%, students will be given substitute tasks for those instances of teaching that they have missed. Students who fail are entitled to repeat the course on one occasion. The following are required in order to pass the course:
1) Active participation in the various parts of the course
2) Students formulating, evaluating and revising their own written development plans together with their mentors.
3) Students coding at least two session extracts and reflects on need for development and changes in own behavour

An examination will be made available for a period of one year in the event of the course being discontinued or a new course syllabus being devised.

Course evaluation will be carried out in accordance with the guidelines established by the Board of Education.

Each student must submit confirmation from his or her employer demonstrating that the student has been employed on a part-time basis with psychotherapeutic work tasks in psychiatric care or equivalent duties during the term in question.