Masters Degrees (Ptsd)

Summary

This pioneering course provides students with a specific qualification in the assessment of child and adult attachment, parenting and family functioning. It is designed for health and social care professionals, who wish to broaden their skills in assessing attachment, improve the outcome of interventions and want to conduct small or large scale research projects.

This unique programme draws on Patricia Crittenden’s Dynamic Maturational Model of attachment and we pride ourselves in taking a systemic, non- blaming culturally aware approach to the contribution attachment studies can make to alleviating human suffering. Our aim is to prepare you to be at the forefront of the next generation of attachment scholars.

You will also learn to conduct a wide range of assessment procedures and achieve clinical or research levels of reliability in analysing the results. Assessment includes physiological measures such as cortisol, EEG and heart rate variability. You will also be able to formulate intervention and treatment plans and select the therapeutic approach which is most likely to help your client.

You will develop sound foundations in attachment theory, current developments in neuro-science, research and practice, and broaden your observation and assessment skills, which are crucial to both research and practice. For example, you will observe and record human attachment in natural settings, where you will need to be aware of your own impact on the subjects you are studying. You will also be trained in the infant CARE-Index, and other procedures for screening for risk in children’s development. While attachment theory is traditionally focused on children, this course incorporates assessments of attachment applicable to older children, adults, families and wider social networks.

There is an integrated focus on practice and research, making this course invaluable for students interested in a research career in the field of attachment studies. Examples of PhD student’s research areas include the physiology of developmental trauma (PTSD) in children, attachment and family systems, the effectiveness of play therapy with traumatised children, the impact of early trauma on parents who abuse or neglect their children, and attachment in chimpanzees that are reared by humans.

Content

Initial modules will give you a historical and contemporary understanding of attachment theory, laying the groundwork for you to be able to critically evaluate the conclusions and therapeutic outcomes. You will also look at one of the most common practical procedures using attachment theory, the infant CARE-Index. This module will give you the knowledge to assesses the relationship between children, aged from 1 day to 15 months, and their carer (usually a parent or legal guardian), through a play-based framework. This procedure provides a screening tool for clinicians working with at risk families and gives a thorough grounding in the development of attachment and exploration.

In the second part of the course you learn to code the Adult Attachment Interview which assesses how adults process information about their childhood and how this impacts on their behaviour in the present. You also have the opportunity on the course to learn to implement and analyse the Strange Situation procedure, Pre-school Assessment of Attachment; Narrative Story Stems using the Child Attachment and Play Assessment and the Meaning of the Child to the Parent (a central part of parenting assessments).

Another key module will introduce you to the importance of naturalistic observation, which is the practice of observing naturally occurring behaviour, as a means of understanding human attachment. This module will focus not only on the traditional mother-child relationship, but encourage you to observe behaviour in older children, adults, family and wider systems including institutions, local and more complex communities. In building your practical observation skills, you will learn about the development of attachment in safe or typical children, and how these skills are used for the purpose of clinical assessment.

Other modules, for example the Clinical Intervention Seminars, are designed to help you understand the application of attachment theory and research in forensic settings, for example, helping you to be able to produce assessment reports, which are increasingly used in courts.

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This unique two-year international programme is offered in collaboration with Yale University. There is a focus on developmental psychopathology drawing on multidisciplinary perspectives, with a specific emphasis on neuroscience. Students spend year one in London, primarily based at the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families and year two at Yale.

Degree information

The programme provides students with an excellent foundation in developmental psychopathology and neuroscience, with a focus on:
-The emergence of childhood clinical disorders (e.g. autism, depression and PTSD)
-Multiple theoretical frameworks of disorder
-Research practice, including science communication
-The translational issues around research and psychological treatments
-This two-year MRes has a total value of 330 credits. 135 credits of taught modules are taken in the first year and in the second year, the research portfolio, comprising an oral presentation, proposal, dissertation and research poster, comprises a total of 195 credits.

Year One core modules
-An Introduction to Psychoanalytic Theory
-The Clinical Theory of Psychoanalysis
-Research Methods I: Research Skills
-Research Methods II: Introduction to Statistical Analysis
-Research Methods III: Evaluating Research Literature (formative)
-Introduction to Neuroscience Methods
-Affective Neuroscience
-Multiple Perspectives on Development and Psychopathology I
-Multiple Perspectives on Development and Psychopathology II

Year Two core modules
-Series of formative workshops (e.g. fMRI; EEG; Advanced research design; Integrating cross-disciplinary models)
-Research Portfolio (see below)

Dissertation/research project
The research portfolio comprises a project presentation – made up of an oral presentation, slides and a written proposal, a written dissertation and a research poster. All students undertake a research project supervised by a faculty member while at Yale, completing a dissertation of 15,000–17,000 words.

Teaching and learning
The programme comprises lectures, research classes, tutorials, small-group seminars, and computer-based practical classes. Assessment is predominantly through essays, statistical assignments, a piece of science communication and unseen examinations. In the second year assessment will be based on the research portfolio - comprising an oral presentation, written research proposal, the dissertation and a poster. Further information on modules and degree structure is available on the department website.

Careers

Typically our students are interested in pursuing a research or clinical career. Of students who graduated within the last two years, 23% are now enrolled on PhD programmes; 38% are employed as research associates, 23% are undertaking further training and the remaining 16% are undertaking clinical work.

Employability
The two-year structure allows students to not only develop in-depth theoretical knowledge and research skills but also provides the opportunity to undertake a substantial piece of research under the mentorship of a leading Yale academic and their research lab. A grounding in quantitative analysis and fMRI/EEG skills combined with a focus on clinical disorders during childhood make students particularly attractive as prospective PhD candidates and doctoral Clinical Psychology applicants. Students are encouraged to publish their research where possible.

Some students seek voluntary clinically relevant experience across both years, which is particularly helpful for those considering applications to Clinical Psychology doctoral programmes.

Why study this degree at UCL?

Students acquire excellent research skills in statistical analysis and a grounding in neuroimaging methods, including fMRI and EEG, and expertise in critical evaluation of research.

The programme is based at the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families in London, a world-renowned centre for research, training and clinical practice in the field of child mental health.

UCL Psychology & Language Sciences undertakes world-leading research and teaching in mind, behaviour, and language. The division has excellent links with other universities including Yale, providing unique research and networking opportunities for postgraduate students.

Our work attracts staff and students from around the world. Together they create an outstanding and vibrant environment, taking advantage of cutting-edge resources, including state-of-the art neuroimaging equipment. The division offers an extremely supportive environment with opportunities to attend numerous specialist seminars, workshops, and guest lectures.

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Taught at our Parkgate Road Campus, our MSc course offers the opportunity for experienced therapeutic practitioners to study the theoretical basis of psychological trauma from a bio-psycho-social perspective, including PTSD and complex trauma. The course is taught by a team of academic clinicians experienced in working with trauma from the professions of counselling, psychology and psychiatry.

The incidence and impact of psychological trauma is a massive problem globally, and there is huge demand for services that can provide effective and timely treatment for individuals suffering from its symptoms. This course is suitable for anyone working with clients who have either single incident or multiple trauma histories, and aims to give a solid grounding in how to work safely and effectively with this client group.

You will study alongside other students from a wide range of professional backgrounds, and have the opportunity for further development clinically and academically by conducting research in an area that you are interested in.

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Our Cognitive Behavioural Therapy PGDip produces psychological therapists who are competent in the practice of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for patients affected by psychological disorders. It focuses predominantly on the treatment of depression and anxiety disorders.

The course offers CBT practitioner level training designed for healthcare and related professionals who have already completed introductory and/or intermediate CBT training (or equivalent) and have some supervised experience of providing CBT.

You will gain:
-Practical, intensive and detailed training to facilitate the development of competent CBT skills, to a defined standard
-The necessary knowledge and attitudes to be an open-minded, informed and reflective CBT practitioner
-A critical approach to the subject through engagement with relevant theory, models and evidence

These skills equip you to become a creative independent CBT practitioner, in accordance with British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) guidelines for good practice, and to contribute to the further development of CBT. As a graduate of this course you are eligible for practitioner accreditation with BABCP through Standard or Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) curriculum routes.

The course enables you to develop competency in CBT for anxiety disorders and become a skilled practitioner in this therapeutic approach. The focus is on treating patients with diagnosable anxiety disorders such as Social Phobia, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD), etc. The emphasis is on high-intensity, individual CBT rather than guided self-help, psycho-education or lower intensity anxiety management.

Underpinning the course is a student centred learning approach to developing as a CBT therapist. You are required to conduct CBT therapy with anxiety-disordered patients in their host services. These patients will have moderate-severe anxiety symptoms appropriate for high-intensity psychological therapy.

The Diploma extends into the psychological treatment of major depression and specialist CBT applications. You will work with depressed patients who are more likely to have complex and recurrent difficulties. Your work on supervised cases will cover a broad range of disorders and complex conditions.

Facilities

The School of Psychology is based on the University campus in the Ridley Building. You will benefit from seminar rooms and meeting spaces, as well as excellent practical facilities for carrying out experiments.

Additional facilities for psychological research are available in:
-The Institute of Neuroscience for comparative and neuroscience approaches
-The Institute of Health and Society for health psychology, and development and disability
-Culture Lab for human–computer interaction
-The School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences for disorders of language

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Eye Movement Desensitisation & Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based, empirically supported psychotherapy for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), psychological trauma and other and other mental health conditions. The University of Worcester is the first academic institution in the world to offer an MSc EMDR Therapy programme of study in EMDR psychotherapy. This programme is validated by EMDR Europe and contains full EMDR Europe Training, along with a suite of other modules. This unique, groundbreaking course enables current mental health practitioners to further develop their conceptual and theoretical understanding in the field of psychological trauma and EMDR. The course can be studied full or part-time.

The MSc in EMDR is accredited by EMDR Europe both for the trainer and the training. As an EMDR Europe Accredited Trainer we have developed EMDR academic trainings in other academic institutions both nationally and internationally. Some of our EMDR Trainings have been undertaken as part of humanitarian assistance programmes in Pakistan, Poland, Indonesia, Thailand, Greece and Palestine. We have also carried out EMDR training for the Ministry of Defence, IAPT NHS services, and Charitable Organisations.

Psychological Sciences at the University of Worcester is offering this taught Masters programme that will appeal to mental health practitioners as well as those from cognate disciplines in relevant professions seeking further postgraduate study and continuing professional development. The structure of the programme reflects this goal and allows students to study in accordance with the EMDR Europe Accreditation Competency-Based Frameworks for becoming an EMDR Europe Accredited Practitioner.

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The PgCert Advanced Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Practice for the Treatment of Anxiety and Depression programme provides you with the theory and practical skills to help people suffering from mild to moderate anxiety and depression using the tools and techniques of CBT at Step 3 of the Stepped Care Model. The programme consists of 3 modules which will make a significant contribution to your accreditation as a Cognitive Behaviour Therapist with the British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP).

You'll have an opportunity to take part in a question-and-answer session in person with Dr Christine Padesky, and one to two online group sessions where you'll be able to discuss some client issues common to the whole group. This is a unique opportunity to learn from a master clinician.

You'll study over 10 weekends in the year (once a month), so the course can work around existing work commitments.

Successful completion of the course leads to our PgDip/MSc Advanced CBT Practice (Resilience and Positive Development) subject to validation conditions being met.

Modules

Fundamentals of CBT

You'll acquire basic concepts in CBT such as the theory underlying CBT, the 5 aspects model, the technique of Socratic questioning, the structure of CBT sessions, the thought record and behavioural experiments.

Advanced CBT protocols for the assessment and treatment of anxiety

This module will equip you with the assessment and treatment protocols and techniques required to handle generalised anxiety disorder, health anxiety, social anxiety, phobias, panic (with and without agoraphobia), obsessive compulsive disorder and PTSD.

Advanced CBT protocols for the assessment and treatment of depression, suicidality and low self esteem

This module will enable you to handle depression, suicidality and low self-esteem by teaching assessment techniques for an accurate depiction of depression and suicidality. It will look at CBT models for depression and rumination and it will also enable you to facilitate clients to raise their level of self-esteem.

Placements

You'll need to have secured a client base where you'll see depressed and anxious patients during the course. This can be within the NHS or within private practice. You'll need approximately 2 new clients per module. You'll also need to organise a BABCP accredited field supervisor. As well as this throughout the course some clinical supervision will be provided by BABCP accredited supervisors at the University.

Employability

At the end of the PgCert, you'll be able to treat people who suffer from mild to moderate depression and anxiety with Step 3 CBT interventions. You'll be able to offer your services in private practice. You will be halfway to BABCP accreditation as a cognitive behaviour therapist. If you go on to take a further 3 modules as described in the PgDip, you'll be able to apply individually for full accreditation with the BABCP as a cognitive behaviour therapist.

LSBU Employability Services

LSBU is committed to supporting you develop your employability and succeed in getting a job after you have graduated. Your qualification will certainly help, but in a competitive market you also need to work on your employability, and on your career search. Our Employability Service will support you in developing your skills, finding a job, interview techniques, work experience or an internship, and will help you assess what you need to do to get the job you want at the end of your course. LSBU offers a comprehensive Employability Service, with a range of initiatives to complement your studies, including:

• Direct engagement from employers who come in to interview and talk to students
• Job Shop and on-campus recruitment agencies to help your job search
• Mentoring and work shadowing schemes.

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Our Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Anxiety Disorders PGCert produces psychological therapists who are competent in the practice of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for patients affected by psychological disorders. Its main focus is on the treatment of anxiety disorders.

This course offers CBT practitioner level training designed for healthcare and related professionals who have already completed introductory and/or intermediate CBT training (or equivalent) and have some supervised experience of providing CBT.

You gain:
-Practical, intensive and detailed training to facilitate the development of competent CBT skills, to a defined standard
-The necessary knowledge and attitudes to be an open-minded, informed and reflective CBT practitioner
-A critical approach to the subject through engagement with relevant theory, models and evidence

These skills equip you to become a creative independent CBT practitioner, in accordance with British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) guidelines for good practice, and to contribute to the further development of CBT.

The course enables you to develop competency in CBT for anxiety disorders and become a skilled practitioner in this therapeutic approach. The focus is on treating patients with diagnosable anxiety disorders such as Social Phobia, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD), etc. The emphasis is on high-intensity, individual CBT rather than guided self-help, psycho-education or lower intensity anxiety management.

Underpinning the course is a student centred learning approach to developing as a CBT therapist. You are required to conduct CBT therapy with anxiety-disordered patients in their host services. These patients will have moderate-severe anxiety symptoms appropriate for high-intensity psychological therapy.

Facilities

The School of Psychology is based on the University campus in the Ridley Building. You will benefit from seminar rooms and meeting spaces, as well as excellent practical facilities for carrying out experiments.

Additional facilities for psychological research are available in:
-The Institute of Neuroscience for comparative and neuroscience approaches
-The Institute of Health and Society for health psychology, and development and disability
-Culture Lab for human–computer interaction
-The School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences for disorders of language

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Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a current form of evidence-based psychological therapy recommended by NICE as a first line intervention for many psychological disorders.

This MSc in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy aims to increase students’ knowledge base of theory and research in CBT, and to promote a critical approach to the subject. The course also provides practical, intensive and detailed skills training to facilitate skills development to a defined standard of competence. The course is a Level 2 course in CBT and as such “provides all the necessary training so that on graduation from Level 2 courses, individuals will have received the training required to fulfil BABCP's Minimum Training Standards”

The training aims to help students to achieve the level of theoretical knowledge, reflective abilities and clinical skills to work as psychological therapists, using evidence based cognitive behaviour therapy methods in their work.

WHY CHOOSE THIS COURSE?

This course aims to train students to deliver CBT to people with depression and anxiety. Successful completion of the training equips individuals to be skilled and independent CBT practitioners. In addition to providing practical, intensive and detailed skills training to facilitate skills development to a defined standard of competence, the course aims to increase trainees’ knowledge base of theory and research in CBT, and to promote a critical approach to the subject.

The programme is delivered by experienced and accredited lecturer/practitioners in Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy. The award provides an excellent foundation for achieving accreditation with the British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) as a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist.

WHAT WILL I LEARN?

On the course you will learn how to:
-Construct maintenance and developmental CBT conceptualisations for depression and anxiety disorders
-Develop CBT-specific treatment plans
-Practise CBT with depression and anxiety disorders systematically, creatively and with good clinical outcomes
-Deal with complex issues arising in CBT practice
-Demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving therapeutic problems
-Practise as ‘scientist practitioners’, advancing your knowledge and understanding and develop new skills to a high level
-Demonstrate a systematic knowledge of the principles of CBT and the evidence base for the application of CBT techniques
-Demonstrate a systematic knowledge of CBT for depression and anxiety disorders
-Demonstrate a critical understanding of the theoretical and research evidence for cognitive behavioural models and an ability to evaluate the evidence
-Demonstrate an ability to adapt CBT sensitively, and to ensure equitable access for people from diverse cultures and with different values
-Display competence in research methodology and data analysis

HOW WILL THIS COURSE ENHANCE MY CAREER PROSPECTS?

Adequate access to a choice of effective psychological therapies is a key Government priority. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) has a continually evolving evidence base with emphasis on therapy outcomes and robust, universally applicable treatment methods.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is the most effective of available treatments across a range of psychological problems, specifically depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD and phobia. As such, CBT is the basis of much mental health practice. It has become Government policy for NHS Trusts to provide patients/clients with access to CBT.

Achieving this award would provide students with the opportunity to seek roles within the psychological therapies field and broaden their career prospects.

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