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Clinical Psychology & Applications of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) - PSY00011H

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  • Department: Psychology
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Toni Jenkinson
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: H
  • Academic year of delivery: 2024-25

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 1 2024-25

Module aims

“A clinical psychologist aims to reduce psychological distress and to enhance the promotion of psychological wellbeing” (BPS website). Clinical psychologists work psychotherapeutically in a range of clinical settings and with a variety of patient groups across the lifespan. This module will briefly introduce the student to the field of clinical psychology in general and in particular to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. This will include Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) applied to depression, panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and physical health conditions such as chronic pain. This module will also look at risk and suicide management and provide an introduction to third wave therapies which have their roots in a cognitive behavioural approach.

The aim of this module is to develop students’ enthusiasm for working with the range of clinical presentations encountered in the practice of clinical psychology. This module will offer an initial insight into the world of clinical psychology to the student and form a basis for developing their interest further. This module, alongside the second advanced module in clinical psychology taught in the spring term, prepares students for applying for the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Hull University.

Clinical psychology is an applied profession underpinned by evidence based psychological science. The ability to self-reflect, tolerate uncertainty and offer empathic understanding are central to the profession. Whilst the module will focus primarily on the psychological science underpinning the profession, it will also encourage students to begin considering and developing their reflective skills, acknowledging how ‘real world’ clinical decision making has to be based on a combination of science and wider reflection. For this reason, the module will be most suited to students interested in developing their skills as a reflective practitioner, alongside working as a scientist practitioner.

Module learning outcomes

  • Explain the theoretical background of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
  • Explain and evaluate the application of CBT with different clinical populations
  • Explain the basic elements of formulation
  • Demonstrate a deep understanding of relevant academic papers within clinical psychology, and communicate their understanding and conclusions in a balanced way within group discussions.
  • To provide students with a taste of both practical and theoretical approaches to Clinical Psychology, with a focus on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
  • To develop students’ enthusiasm for a range of clinical presentations and how these may be approached within a CBT framework

Module content

  • Introduction to the Module, Clinical Psychology and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
  • A Cognitive Behavioural Approach to Depression.
  • A Cognitive Behavioural Approach to Panic Disorder
  • A Cognitive Behavioural Approach to Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
  • A Cognitive Behavioural Approach to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
  • The Evolution of Cognitive Behavioural Approaches: Third Wave Therapies – Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
  • The Evolution of Cognitive Behavioural Approaches: Third Wave Therapies – Compassion Focussed Therapy
  • A Cognitive Behavioural Approach to Risk Management and Suicide Prevention
  • A Cognitive Behavioural Approach to Chronic Pain
  • Clinical Film, Discussion and Revision

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Online Exam -less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled)
Clinical Psychology & Applications of Cognitive Therapy (CBT)		 5 hours 100

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Online Exam -less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled)
Clinical Psychology & Applications of Cognitive Therapy (CBT)		 5 hours 100

Module feedback

The marks on all assessed work will be provided on e-vision.

Indicative reading

This course uses primarily journal articles and there are no core texts per se. However, you may found the following books useful as a reference:

This text provides an introduction to the profession of clinical psychology:

  • Beinhart, H., Kennedy, P. & Llewelyn, S. (Eds) (2009). Clinical Psychology in Practice. Chichester: Wiley.

This text provides an introduction to different psychiatric diagnoses, including psychological models and treatment approaches:

  • Davey, G.C.L. (2014). Psychopathology: Research, assessment and treatment in clinical psychopathology (2ndedition). BPS Blackwell.

This text provides the basic theory, skills and applications of cognitive behaviour therapy:

  • Kennerley, H., Kirk, J., & Westbrook, D (2017). An introduction to cognitive behavioural therapy: skills and applications (3rd Edition). London: Sage Publications Ltd.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.