Clinical Psychology and Mental Health, MSc

This module provides a comprehensive overview of the statistical methods and research designs used in applied clinical and health psychology. The module examines the parameters of ethical research practice and introduces students to the key concepts and a limited number of qualitative methods commonly used in applied psychology. By the end of this module the student should be able to: choose and critically apply a range of non-parametric and parametric statistical tests; explain a range of research designs and critically evaluate their relative advantages/disadvantages (experimental, field, single case, epidemiological etc); and differentiate between quantitative and qualitative research methods.

The lectures included in this module give students the foundation skills necessary to practice research in psychology. It involves issues regarding designing and executing a research programme, and the interpretation and reporting of research results. The philosophical approach of this class is a focus on research practices that improve transparency and reproducibility. The class is built around the development of a research proposal that will cover the rationale and method of the MSc dissertation.

Cognitive neuropsychology is a key field that marries together the fields of cognitive psychology and clinical neuropsychology. It involves the utilisation of cognitive models of normal function to understand the cognitive impairments seen in brain damaged populations - with the aims of both achieving a detailed understanding of the presentation profile of a case study and targeting appropriate intervention for the case in question. Students will learn about the functional anatomy of the human cerebral cortex and how such information links to the primary methods of cognitive neuropsychology. Students will also be introduced to key clinically based theories underpinning our understanding of neuropsychological syndromes such as aphasia and amnesia ? an understanding the drives the rehabilitation methodologies available for brain damaged populations, and the means by which appropriate interventions can be selected.

This module will examine the development, maintenance and treatment of affective disorders (anxiety and depression) along with related trauma responses such as post-traumatic stress disorder. The module will consider these presentations from biological/genetic, social/familial, and psychological explanatory frameworks. It will also critically review established and emergent theory-driven interventions.

The module addresses the psychology associated with vulnerability to and protection from chronic physical disease. The narrative across the module begins with consideration of motivational issues associated with health-related behaviors. It then considers issues of adaptation to illness such as stress and coping, and psychological interventions for reducing distress and promoting wellbeing. This module is particularly suited to students who want to pursue a career as a health professional.

This module provides an in depth analysis of the current understanding of eating disorders (anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder and night eating syndrome). Key risk factors, maintenance and treatment of eating disorders are discussed. Finally the argument that obesity should be considered an addiction and/or an eating disorder is critically considered. By the end of this module the student should be able to: differentiate between diagnostic subcategories of eating disorders; critically evaluate theories concerning the aetiology and maintenance of eating disorders; demonstrate an understanding of the interplay between Pro-Anorexia and eating disorder symptomology and associated clinical implications; critically appraise evidence-based treatment for eating disorders and evaluate outcomes; and critically assess the evidence surrounding the inclusion of obesity within the eating disorders spectrum.

Psychopathy is a severe personality disorder strongly associated with violence and antisocial behaviour and places a large demand on both mental health services, and the judiciary system. The module will cover the measurement of psychopathy, the aetiology of psychopathic traits, and models of psychopathic behaviour from a biosocial viewpoint. Sexual offending is a major societal problem. The module will examine how deviant sexual interests may occur, and how these might be measured. The issues of the assessment of risk posed by sexual offenders and the management/treatment of offenders will be discussed.

This module will focus on the key skills required in the practice of psychotherapy and their use in clinical contexts. It focuses on the development of theory-based clinical formulation and interventions using cognitive behavioural and third wave strategies of change. It also provides practice in the use of core skills involved in formulation development and treatment. The module will translate a theoretical understanding of psychological disorders to a more clinical case relevant understanding. Students will learn about the key elements of second and third wave cognitive behavioural therapies both from a theoretical and practical perspective. This module is appropriate for students wishing to pursue a career in clinical, health or other abnormal psychological fields.

This module will examine competing and complimentary theories of the aetiology of psychoses and biological and psychosocial treatment options: Biological models of schizophrenia; Anti-psychiatry and psychosis; Cognitive and social models of delusions and hallucinations; Biological and psychosocial treatments of psychosis. By the end of this module the student should be able to: critically evaluate competing and complementary theories of the aetiology of psychosis; critically evaluate the relative strengths and weaknesses of biological and psychosocial treatment options; articulate and critically appraise the value of the anti-psychiatry movement and its philosophical underpinnings.

The research module will involve constructing and executing a substantial research project, usually conducted in connection to an abnormal and clinical research topic/theme. Previous research projects have spanned various applicable clinical settings linked to NHS trusts, mental health charities, forensic units and topics generated by academics based within the department of psychology. We also encourage students who come to the program with connections as a consequence of previous professional experience, to undertake projects that are linked to interests they have already established.