Psychological Examination and Counselling Placement

Study Course Description

Course Description Statuss:Approved

Course Description Version:14.00

Study Course Accepted:13.08.2024 12:56:30

Study Course Information
Course Code:		VPUPK_263		LQF level:		Level 7
Credit Points:		4.00		ECTS:		6.00
Branch of Science:		Psychology		Target Audience:		Psychology
Study Course Supervisor
Course Supervisor:		Zane Gulbe
Study Course Implementer
Structural Unit:		Department of Health Psychology and Paedagogy
The Head of Structural Unit:
Contacts:		Riga, 5 J. Asara Street, vppkrsu[pnkts]lv, +37167061587
Study Course Planning
Full-Time - Semester No.1
Lectures (count)		2	Lecture Length (academic hours)		2	Total Contact Hours of Lectures		4
Classes (count)		6	Class Length (academic hours)		2	Total Contact Hours of Classes		12
Total Contact Hours								16
Full-Time - Semester No.2
Lectures (count)		2	Lecture Length (academic hours)		2	Total Contact Hours of Lectures		4
Classes (count)		6	Class Length (academic hours)		2	Total Contact Hours of Classes		12
Total Contact Hours								16
Study course description
Preliminary Knowledge:
General Psychology, Biological Basics of Psyche, Developmental Psychology, Personality Psychology, Differential Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Psychological Research and Counselling, Group Counselling, Neuropsychology.
Objective:
To provide students with the opportunity to develop and deepen their competence in psychological counselling and assistance, to develop and improve, under the supervision of a psychologist, the ability to establish contact with a client / patient / group, understand client / patient / group demand and needs, develop a psychological assistance plan, implement it, write a cooperation review of the psychological counselling process, inform the client / patient / group about the results of the psychological assistance and make recommendations.
Topic Layout (Full-Time)
No.	Topic			Type of Implementation		Number	Venue
1	Introductory seminar on placement tasks.			Lectures		2.00	auditorium
2	Supervised placement.			Classes		6.00	other
3	Introductory seminar on placement tasks.			Lectures		2.00	auditorium
4	Supervised placement.			Classes		6.00	other
Assessment
Unaided Work:
Get acquainted with the placement venue and establish cooperation with the placement supervisors. Conduct psychological cognitive process and personality assessment in clients/ patients (adults and children) according to demand and client/ patient needs, with prior approval of the research study aim, plan, choice of methods, and assessment procedure. Write opinions (in agreement with the placement supervisor). Provide psychological counselling to clients/ patients on demand and/or client/ patient/ group needs. Write cooperation reports (in agreement with the placement supervisor). Attend placement monitoring sessions regularly (at least 85%). Write a daily description of each day's activity (according to the set criteria). Independently prepare one opinion on the results of psychological research (evaluation) and one cooperation report on the process of psychological counselling, submit it and present it during the defence of the placement.
Assessment Criteria:
Attendance of at least 85% of the placement monitoring sessions (10%). Placement supervisor’s assessment of the postgraduate’s work during the placement (20%). Placement documentation has been prepared in accordance with the requirements and submitted on time (20%). During the presentation of the placement (according to the set criteria): 2 opinions (child/adult) are presented, case analysis and cooperation report (client/ patient in counselling practice) are presented (50%).
Final Examination (Full-Time):		Defence (Placement)
Final Examination (Part-Time):
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge:		Based on the latest research in the professional field, various aspects of the interaction between biological, psychological and social processes in the context of psychological research (evaluation) are analysed and critically evaluated by different client groups. The student describes the cognitive process and the specifics of personality research, peculiarities/ needs of psychological research of clients/ patients; describes the structure of the opinion on the research results, explains the obtained research results. Demonstrates in-depth understanding and critical evaluation of the psychological counselling process, as well as explains the conditions of the psychological counselling process, taking into consideration psychological characteristics of different age groups. Explains the principles and structure of the cooperation report.
Skills:		Explains professional aspects to both professionals and non-specialists (clients/ patients) in a reasoned way. Defines the purpose of psychological research (assessment) according to the specific situation and needs of clients/ patients by choosing, developing and applying scientifically based psychological research (assessment) methods. Formulates the purpose of psychological counselling according to the needs of clients/ patients/ group. Draws up a psychological counselling plan by selecting and using scientifically based psychological techniques and provides psychological counselling. Prepares a psychologist's opinion and review of the psychological counselling process and critically evaluates the effectiveness of own work, taking into consideration the legal and ethical aspects of professional practice. Critically evaluates the information obtained under supervision.
Competencies:		Carries out the targeted research, interprets the results obtained, assesses the client/ patient's difficulties and resources, and develops a potential psychological assistance plan for the client/ patient. Understands cognitive process and personality-based research (assessment) methods, is able to reasonably select and apply these methods, interprets research findings and describes them in a structured opinion. Provides psychological help using scientifically based methods. Prepares a cooperation report. Recognises own professional limitations and opportunities. Practices ethical responsibility by understanding the potential impact of own actions on the individual, group and the environment. Evaluates the effectiveness of own work. Under the supervision of a psychologist, plans and implements the development of own competences.
Clinical Skills:
No.	Skill					Level
1	Application of the body language and facial expression in consulting					B2 - Intermediate level
2	Application of voice and speech qualities in consulting					B2 - Intermediate level
3	Asking questions					B2 - Intermediate level
4	Confrontation					B2 - Intermediate level
5	Discrepancies					B2 - Intermediate level
6	Eye contact in consulting					B2 - Intermediate level
7	Encouraging					B2 - Intermediate level
8	Feedback					B2 - Intermediate level
9	Hear key words					B2 - Intermediate level
10	Instruction					B2 - Intermediate level
11	Noticing of body language in counseling					B2 - Intermediate level
12	Noticing of facial expressions in counseling					B2 - Intermediate level
13	Observation in counselling					B2 - Intermediate level
14	Paraphrasing					B2 - Intermediate level
15	Pause of silence					B2 - Intermediate level
16	Professional self-reflection in consulting					B2 - Intermediate level
17	Psychoeducation					B2 - Intermediate level
18	Recommendations					B2 - Intermediate level
19	Self-disclosure in consulting					B2 - Intermediate level
20	Self-help; Self-care					B2 - Intermediate level
21	Structuring the session / consultation					B2 - Intermediate level
22	Summarizing					B2 - Intermediate level
Bibliography
No.	Reference
Additional Reading
1	Butcher, J. N., Hooley, J. M., Mineka, S. M., & Nock, M. K. (2017). Abnormal Psychology. Pearson.
Other Information Sources
1	Psihologu likums.
2	Journal of Consulting & Clinical Psychology
3	Journal of Psychological Assessment