• provide copies of their case study (drawn from their practice or experience where possible; derived from some-one else’s practice; from a publication) in advance;
• provide a sheet of psychological issues raised by the case study and suggestions for relevant perspectives illuminating the case study;
• provide a short, but full reference list linked to these perspectives.

We advise you to read widely from the start of the course. In the past some students have not completed their assignments on time because they left their reading too late.

R. Wolfe and W Dryden (1995) A Handbook of Counselling Psychology Sage

J. Worrell and P. Remer (1992) Feminist Perspectives in Therapy: An empowerment model for women Wiley

G. Corey (1996) Theory and Practice of Counselling and Psychotherapy Brookes Cole

G. Corey (1990 Case approach to counselling Brookes Cole

the series In Search of a Therapist Open University Press

It is by the assessment that you will be able to demonstrate that you have achieved the learning outcomes of the course, taking the learning outcomes of the overall postgraduate scheme into account.

You are asked to write a Critical analysis of a case study, drawing on relevant psychological perspectives, other areas of knowledge and highlighting client experience and counsellor errors (3000 words).

You should, therefore provide a case study (this may be one of your own, one of some-one else’s, or a published case study). The case study is important only insofar as it allows you to write your critical analysis. It is the analysis of the case study that we will be assessing, not the case study itself. Thus, you should not think about the case study in terms of the extent to which it demonstrates your abilities as a counselling psychologist. Instead, you should think about it in terms of the extent to which it enables you to show your critical understanding of the application of psychological perspectives to counselling psychology, addressing the different outcome criteria.

Through your analysis of the case study, you should

• have identified the relative values of different psychological perspectives and other areas of knowledge for understanding (a) psychological counselling process; (b) psychological counselling outcomes; and (c) implications for practice;

• be able to apply different psychological perspectives to (a) clients’ experiences and (b) counsellors’ practice and errors within counselling psychology;

• have developed insight into the use and abuse of power in the psychological counselling process.

• shows knowledge;
• critically evaluates literature;
• critically appraises use of psychological knowledge;
• links with experience
• links with other areas of knowledge;
• exercises and expresses own opinions and judgements;
• presents originality of thought;
• generation of new ideas;
• clear communication in different channels (written/oral/visual/auditory)

You will get a grade for both the report and the presentation, accompanied by comments. The grade will be Pass, Merit or Distinction (or Fail). You will normally be expected to achieve a Pass grade in both the Report and the Presentation. Your final unit grade will weight the report:presentation in a 75:25 proportion.

In practice this will mean that if you get the same grade in both parts, that will be the unit grade. Unequal grades in the different parts will result in a final grade as follows:

*(If Presentation F is marginal, otherwise F)

** (If Report is an excell ent D, then D)

*** (if Report F is marginal, otherwise F)

If you have any difficulty obtaining a case study please see a tutor who may be able to help. If you think you will not meet the deadline for your work, you must discuss your difficulties well in advance of the hand-in date. Extensions may only be granted for valid causes, in advance, by the Scheme Co-ordinator (Carolyn Kagan): you should put your request with reasons and any supporting evidence in writing, specifying a revised hand-in date that is acceptable to your module tutors. You are advised to try to plan your work to meet the deadline and not to request an extension. All extensions are reported to the Examination Board. All work must be handed in via the postgraduate post-box next to the staff pigeon holes. Receipts will be available in student pigeon holes, unless you leave a stamped address envelope with the assignment. Please do not leave work with a tutor or with the reception desk.

Manchester Metropolitan University

Department Psychology and Speech Pathology

Psychological Perspectives on Counselling Psychology

MSc Modular Scheme; Short Course: 15 Level M credits

The oral presentation is weighted 25% of the final grade.

Presentations will be made to a small group of colleagues from the course and a tutor. You are expeted to attend for the whole session in order to act a audience for your colleagues. Sometimes external tutors mark the presentations - these tutors are experienced in marking presentations from this course.

You should present a case study which highlights:

• relevant psychological perspectives for understanding different aspects of the case study;
• implications for future practice;
• a rationale for why you have chosen the material you have to understand different features of the case study.

In the time available (15 minutes) it is not possible to discuss the whole analysis of your case study - you will have to be selective.

Tutors will grade your presentation in terms of CONTENT and PROCESS. Other members of the audience ,may also be asked to offer feedback. Before marks are confirmed, tutors will standardise their marking to ensure that different marks are not given for the same quality presentation.

CONTENT: substance, clarity and structure of presentation; introduction, conclusion, balance of issues discussed; clarity of information given; handling of questions. PROCESS: quality and dynamics of delivery; voice projection; body language; eye contact; speed of delivery; use of audio-visual and other aids.

Written notes on the presentations will be made by tutors and these notes will be available to External Examiners. You will receive a copy of them. If you wish to be audio or video-taped, please let us know well in advance - it may be possible to arrange this.

You may use whatever presentation aids you wish. We can supply you with three OHP acetates and you may borrow pens. large sheets of paper and marker pens, as well as OHP equipment are available from the psychology Technicians. Please give us at least three weeks notice of any equipment requirements. You are not expected to produce handouts for your presentation.

We would appreciate your comments on this module. They really do help us plan for any changes to the course in the future. Please write your comments below and leave the form in either tutors’ pigeon hole. Thanks.