2 years part-time
Part-time
£14,000(INT) *
We’re planning to teach through a flexible combination of online and face to face learning for the first few months of the new academic year. If you’re thinking about starting with us in autumn 2020 or spring 2021, check back for more detail on arrangements for this course in July and August, and see our current plans for teaching and learning.
Overview
It is estimated that one in four people seek professional support for a mental health problem and therefore there is high demand for psychological therapies and interventions. This programme is aimed at those who wish to develop careers in psychological therapy or mental health by building on your knowledge, practical skills, experience and confidence when applying for highly competitive roles such as Assistant Psychologist or Clinical Psychology Research Assistant.
Why study Psychological Therapies and Interventions MSc / PGDip at Middlesex University?
This programme will provide you with the academic, practical and research skills you need to continue onto further professional training in clinical psychology, counselling psychology, psychotherapy, clinical research, and health management.
You will be introduced to a range of approaches to psychological therapy and intervention and will be supported to develop a range of therapeutic communication and intervention skills both in workshops and through work experience.
As part of the Masters programme, you will also acquire the knowledge and skills required to critically assess research in therapeutic psychology and to undertake research in a topic that is relevant to psychological therapies or interventions. You will be taught by staff who are therapy practitioners and researchers in mental health, psychological wellbeing and trauma.
Please note that this programme does not lead to a therapy practitioner qualification.
Course highlights
- This course is an introduction to a wide range of approaches to psychological therapies
- You will focus on the effects of trauma and trauma interventions
- You will have the chance to undertake a clinically relevant work placement
Find out more
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Course content
What will you study on Psychological Therapies and Interventions MSc / PGDip?
During the course, you will focus on developing in-depth knowledge, understanding, skills and experience for progressing to, or within, therapy related careers, including clinical psychology, counselling psychology, psychotherapy, clinical research, and health management. You will also explore the key approaches to, and practice in, psychological therapy and interventions as well as understanding lifespan trauma experience and its impacts on psychological disorder; how it is assessed and identified, and experienced cross-culturally.
What will you gain?
You will gain a range of therapeutic communication, motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioural intervention skills and a reflective approach to the development of these skills. You will also have developed the knowledge and skills required to critically assess research in therapeutic psychology and be able to undertake novel research in an area relating to psychological therapies or interventions.
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Modules
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Counselling and Psychotherapy (30 credits) - Compulsory
This module will introduce the main schools of psychological therapy, their theoretical origins and demonstrate how the theory is applied in practice. You will also be introduced to the basic principles of communication skills that form the foundation of all counselling and therapy.
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Trauma Impact and Interventions (30 credits) - Compulsory
In this module, you will develop a critical understanding of current research evidence and perspectives on psychological trauma and its effects. You will review the impact of trauma on different groups and at different stages of the lifespan and critically examine the models of intervention for psychological trauma. You will also explore the current debates around ameliorating factors and developmental outcomes.
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Advanced Research Methods in Psychology (30 credits) - Optional
This module extends your undergraduate knowledge of research methods, design and statistics and prepares you for your dissertation and forthcoming supervised practice. It will enable you to choose appropriate methodologies and analyses for research.
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Psychology Placement (30 credits) - Optional
This module will provide you with the professional practice knowledge and practical skills relevant to therapeutic applications of psychology and experience in an organisation that is concerned with mental health and/or well-being. You will spend a minimum of 140 hours in a placement of your choosing and will develop your ability to apply psychological knowledge and/or therapeutic communication skills in a workplace context.
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Psychology Work Based Project (30 credits) - Optional
This module is ideal for those who are currently employed in an organisation that is concerned with mental health and/or well-being. The module will provide you with the professional practice knowledge and practical skills relevant to professional development within your job role and the therapeutic applications of psychology. You will conduct a work-based project in order to develop your ability to apply psychological knowledge and/or therapeutic communication skills in a workplace context.
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Research: Reporting and Practice (60 credits) - Compulsory
This module will give you the opportunity for an in-depth, advanced study in a specific area of applied psychology. You will apply appropriate principles of empirical research, and present your research study in the form of a written journal article, using appropriate styles and conventions.
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Research Methods in Applied Psych (30 credits) - Optional
The aim of this module is to provide postgraduate students with research skills and expertise from theory to implementation required by areas in Applied Psychology. The module is designed to fulfil training requirements identified in the National Occupational Standards for Applied Psychologists (Key roles 2 and 3) by offering a comprehensive in-depth and systematic account of a range of skills in quantitative and qualitative research strategies, and the use of SPSS software in statistical analysis as applicable to the course syllabus. A variety of teaching methods and assessment will be employed with the aim of inspiring and challenging each student, whilst promoting independent learning and a critical appreciation of the research process. Students will engage in laboratory classes, workshops, lectures/seminars, tutorials, group work and practical sessions on SPSS and qualitative data analysis. Ultimately the aim is to train students to develop, implement and maintain personal and professional standards and ethical research practice in Applied Psychology.
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You can find more information about this course in the programme specification. Optional modules are usually available at levels 5 and 6, although optional modules are not offered on every course. Where optional modules are available, you will be asked to make your choice during the previous academic year. If we have insufficient numbers of students interested in an optional module, or there are staffing changes which affect the teaching, it may not be offered. If an optional module will not run, we will advise you after the module selection period when numbers are confirmed, or at the earliest time that the programme team make the decision not to run the module, and help you choose an alternative module.
Teaching
How is the Psychological Therapies and Interventions MSc / PGDip taught?
You are taught through through interactive lectures and participative workshops which encourages discussion and debate as well as critical thinking and a deep approach to learning. Skills and the ability to apply theory to practice are also developed through work experience and/or implementation of work-based projects.
Assessment
Assessment includes case study reports, research reports, a reflective diary, critical essays, reflective essays or a work-based project report, and the applied research dissertation.
Entry requirements
Fees and funding
Careers
How can the Psychological Therapies and Interventions MSc / PGDip support your career?
Upon graduation, you could go on to work in the areas of mental health, psychological and social wellbeing, overseas development work, and clinical research. You could also pursue a career in clinical psychology such as psychotherapy and counselling trainings. Or you could choose to continue your academic studies and undertake a PhD in psychology.
We also aim to attract professionals working with deprived client groups; in the field of interventions, treatments and social policy, and this qualification will enhance their career path.
Staff profiles
Dr Deborah Bailey-Rodriguez
Programme leader
Dr Bailey-Rodriguez is a Lecturer in Psychology, with key interests in attachment theory and qualitative research methods. She completed her PhD exploring the transition to second-time parenthood in couple relationships, using qualitative mixed methods at Middlesex University.
Her doctoral research drew and built upon her undergraduate qualitative exploration of the transition to second-time motherhood, where the second child has a disability. During this time, she worked as a voluntary bereavement counsellor.
Dr Bailey-Rodriguez is an Executive Committee member of the International Attachment Netwok (IAN-UK) as well as a member of the Network for Pluralistic Qualitative Researchers (N-PQR), and the Centre for Abuse and Trauma Studies (CATS) at Middlesex University.
Dr David Westley
Associate Professor of Psychology, Director of Programmes for Psychotherapy and Counselling Psychology
Dr Westley designs psychological interventions to help people to build emotional resilience, and to improve focus and creativity. He has published research on a range of topics including creativity, imagery, memory and psychological wellbeing.
Professor Antonia Bifulco
Professor of Lifepsan Psychology, Research Director for the Centre for Abuse and Trauma Studies
Professor Bifulco has spent her career investigating trauma at different life-stages and intergenerationally. She is well published and has worked internationally with health and social care agencies undertaking vulnerability assessments and evaluating interventions.
Dr Fiona Starr
Associate Professor, Chartered Clinical Psychologist
Dr Starr works with young people, children and families in clinical practice. She is integrative in her clinical approach and draws on evidence-based CBT, systemic and psychodynamic approaches to psychological distress.
