Title

Code Level Credit rating Pre-requisites

Type of module Aims

s Systemic Intervention: Theory and Practice SS702 7 20 Postgraduate Diploma in Psychodynamic Therapeutic Counselling or Postgraduate Diploma in Humanistic Therapeutic Counselling or equivalent Extensive over one Semester To:   

Learning outcomes/objectives

locate systemic intervention within the field of psychotherapy; provide a critical understanding of systemic principles; apply a systemic approach to clinical intervention as a psychotherapist

On successful completion of the module students will be able to: 1. provide a critical account of the development of systemic intervention and place this within contemporary thinking and practice; 2. articulate an epistemological account of the relationship between the systemic approach and psychological responses to human distress; 3. establish a personal critical synthesis which remains sensitive to distinctions between systemic and psychological paradigms; 4. formulate individually focused problems in interactional and contextual terms with reference to relevant systemic models; 5. demonstrate intervention as a psychotherapist informed by systemic principles.

Content

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Epistemology and the systemic paradigm; Origins of the approach within psychodynamic and humanistic models; Bateson and the Palo Alto Group Family functions and a critical examination of the family life-cycle ‘First order’ modernist models: Structural, Strategic, and Milan; ‘Second order’ social constructionist approaches and the feminist critique;

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Applying systemic principles to intervention with individuals, couples and family; Contemporary revisions and the development of an integrated critical position.

Teaching and learning strategies

Formal inputs of theory and principles supported by guided reading; Case discussion; Working inductively from dilemmas and issues encountered in practice; Role-play and related practice activities.

Learning support

Tutor support from the Module Team; Peer learning; Courses Resources Officer; Visits of observation and optional specialist placements. KEY TEXTS Bateson, G. (1972) Steps to an Ecology of Mind. London, Jason Aronson Bott, D. (2000) In Palmer, S & Woolfe, R. (Eds) Integrating systemic thinking in counselling and Psychotherapy. Integrative and Eclectic Counselling and Psychotherapy. London: Sage. Bott, D. (2002) Client-centred therapy and family therapy: a review and commentary. Journal of Family Therapy. Vol. 23 No. 4. pp 361-377 ISSN 0163 4445

Byng Hall, J. (1995) Rewriting Family Scripts: Improvisation and Systems Change. London, Guilford. Carter, E. and McGoldrick, M. (1989) The Changing Family Life Cycle: A Framework for Family Therapy. Boston, Allyn and Bacon. Dallos, R & Vetere, A (2009) Systemic Therapy and Attachment Narratives: Applications in a Range of Clinical Settings. Hove, Routledge. White, M. and Epston, D. (1989) Narrative means to therapeutic ends. Adelaide: Dulwich Centre Publications. Flaskas C. (2002) Family therapy beyond postmodernism. London: Routledge 1

Haley, J. (1976) Problem Solving Therapy. San Francisco Calif.: Jossey-Bass Inc. McNamee, S. & Gergen, K (Eds) (1992) Therapy as Social Construction. New York, Sage Publications Minuchin,S. (1976) Families and Family Therapy. Harvard University Press. Pocock, D. (1995) Searching for a better story: harnessing modern and postmodern positions in family therapy. Journal of Family Therapy, 17, 149-173 Watzlawick, P., Beavin, J and Jackson, D. (1967) Pragmatics of Human Communication. New York, Norton.

Assessment tasks

Brief description of module content and/or aims (maximum 80 words)

Area examination board to which module relates Module team/authors/coordinato r Semester offered, where appropriate Site where delivered Date of first approval Date of last revision

A critical account which locates systemic intervention in relation to the student’s primary modality with examples of clinical intervention informed by systemic thinking and practice (3,000) words (L.O 1 – 5) The primary purpose of the module is to open the way for students to enhance their clinical practice by extending the competence they have developed in thinking and working within a psychological paradigm. This is more than a matter of eclectic addition requiring an epistemological shift. A systemic approach gives primacy to the context within which problems displayed by the individual are located with particular reference to family arrangements. Students will be engaged in the study of theories and models which are directed towards intervening at the level of relationship. They will be supported in developing associated clinical interventions. In addition the module will provide a transitional stage in establishing formal interventions with couples and families while offering a reflective space for those already engaged in such work.

David Bott – module leader Sue Sully Semester 2 Falmer to be completed only where this is not the first version to be completed only where this is not the first version 2

Date of approval of this version Version number Replacement for previous module Field for which module is acceptable and status in that field Course(s) for which module is acceptable and status in that course School home External examiner

Last edited 18th April 2012 Q&S published August 2016 1

MSc Psychotherapy - mandatory

SASS Alex Coren (to 2015) and Ros Sewell (to 2015)

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