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Approaches to Therapy 1

Module Synopsis

This module offers students an overview of two major therapeutic schools of thought: Psychodynamic and Family/Systemic Therapy. It explores the history, theoretical underpinnings and characteristic practices of each approach. Strategies used in each approach are identified and applied. A critique of the overall efficacy of each approach is undertaken.

Learning outcomes
  • Identify the milestones in the historical development of psychodynamic theory
  • Critique the different approaches of psychodynamic theory
  • Demonstrate, analyse and evaluate the application of the psychodynamic theories in practise
  • Analyse the implications of and application of transference and countertransference
  • Identify the milestones in the historical development of family systems theory
  • Critique the different approaches of family systems
  • Demonstrate, analyse and evaluate the application of the family systems theories in practise
  • Analyse the implications for therapeutic practice of privileging the relationship in Family Therapy

Content areas
  • The roots of psychodynamic psychotherapy
  • Object Relations Theory, Winnicott and Jung
  • Self Psychology, The Conversational Model
  • Transference and Countertransference
  • InterModuleivity, empathy and interpretation
  • The therapeutic relationship in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
  • Historical introduction to Family Therapy: FT as reaction to psychodynamic approaches. Schools of thought in family therapy: Overview of basic concepts and comparison and contrast of theory and practice focused on different understandings of therapeutic change
  • Structural Approaches
  • Experiential approaches
  • Bowen and transgenerational patterns

Textbook and Readings
The texts for this module are Feltham, C. & Horton, I. (2006) The SAGE Handbook of Counselling and Psychotherapy. London: Sage and Nichols, M.P. (2006) Family Therapy Concepts and Methods (7th edn.) Boston: Pearson. Your readings are an integral part of your studies.

Module Duration and Workload:
This module involves a total of 36 hours of face to face delivery or self-directed study including educator contact in flexible delivery modes, generating a further 120 hours of self-study per module including research and related study activities, including assessment. This translates as 13 hours per week for the module.

Study method:
On Campus, Distance Education and Online Education
The studies, combined with my previous work experience, have led me into a more satisfying role in an industry I know well. My studies have given me the confidence to manage a role where top notch "soft skills" are essential.
Pip Pearson
Graduate Diploma of Counselling