PA224-5-FY-CO:
Advanced Psychodynamic Observation and Reflective Practice

The details
2024/25
Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies
Colchester Campus
Full Year
Undergraduate: Level 5
Current
Thursday 03 October 2024
Friday 27 June 2025
30
21 February 2023

 

Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)

 

(none)

Key module for

FDA LX51 Therapeutic Communication and Therapeutic Organisations

Module description

The TCTO “golden threads”, which connect every module, are:


Being aware of what you are feeling, and the sources of that feeling. 


Being able to make use of “self” to reach a deeper understanding of “other”.


Being familiar with psychodynamic language in order to be able to conceptualise this deeper understanding.


Being able to use this understanding to then work therapeutically. 


In this module, we will be developing skills in this area, through developing our habits of observing, and reflecting on those observation. The module considers 4 overlapping areas of practice that could be thought of like this:



  • Observing yourself

  • Observing the client

  • Observing the group

  • Observing team and system


In this module we aim to help you focus on developing your therapeutic communication through observing the client context, observing yourself, and then reflecting and thinking together about these 4 interlinked areas. 


The majority of module time will be used to develop and discuss a series of workplace observations, in which the influences on your practice, and your working relationship with the client group is considered. 


We will also consider theoretical frameworks for psychodynamic observation and reflective practice. 


Towards the end of the module series, you will present and discuss an “assessed observation” as preparation for the essay requirement.


You should keep in mind the aims of the linked module PA220 Workplace Practice, as you proceed through this module.

Module aims

The aims of this module are:



  • To develop a keener eye for the detail of human behaviour and interaction  

  • To increase awareness of the role of emotional communication and the unconscious in everyday events and encounters  

  • To understand the application of psychodynamic concepts and insights to all aspects of human experience  

  • To deepen their capacity to use psychodynamic observation as a key skill in psychodynamic practice 

  • To develop employability skills related to psychodynamic assessment and case presentation and reflective practice  

  • To establish a reflective space for acknowledging and processing the emotional and psychological implications of the material studied on this course  

  • To develop the capacity for self-reflection and an awareness of the influence of one’s own processes and personal experiences

Module learning outcomes

By the end of this module, students will be expected to have:



  • A deeper understanding psychodynamic observation theory including its application to organisations  

  • An enhanced understanding of key concepts and ideas in reflective practice 

  • Greater ability to observe detail and to perceive subtle indications of emotional and unconscious dynamics 

  • Familiarity with the role of conscious and unconscious mechanisms in relationships 

  • Awareness of the use of psychodynamic observation in work with clients 

  • The capacity to apply psychodynamic thinking to everyday professional encounters  

  • An enhanced capacity to reflect on one’s own process in the observing and in the learning contexts 

  • Further development of the capacity to be reflective and recognise the relationship between self-awareness and therapeutic care

Module information

Key Skills 


Observation of human behaviour, awareness of unconscious processes in communication, application of psychodynamic concepts for a deeper understanding of human behaviour, self-awareness, reflective practice.


Employability Skills 


Observation of behaviour of client/colleague/self, awareness of unconscious processes in communication, application of psychodynamic concepts for a deeper understanding of professional practice, psychodynamic assessment and case presentation, self-awareness as professional, reflective practice.


Observation requirement 


To support your development, and to support your assessments, you are expected to complete a workplace observation every week. Some of these observations will be presented and discussed with the whole class group. Others will be discussed in small groups.


Your observational material is an important resource and can be used to support assignments in ALL modules.

Learning and teaching methods

Seminars lasting 2hrs per week will concentrate on the discussion of observation presentations. Students will be asked to undertake their own observations in the workplace, to write these up and present them in seminars. A number of sessions, as indicated in the outline, also include theory inputs in the area of modes of observation and reflective practice.

Bibliography

This module does not appear to have a published bibliography for this year.

Assessment items, weightings and deadlines

Coursework / exam Description Deadline Coursework weighting
Coursework   Assessed Observation  11/03/2025  25% 
Coursework   Observation commentary and reflective account  04/04/2025  75% 

Exam format definitions

  • Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
  • In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary, for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.

Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.

Overall assessment

Coursework Exam
100% 0%

Reassessment

Coursework Exam
100% 0%
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Mr Chris Tanner, email: chris.tanner@essex.ac.uk.
Department of Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies
Student Administrator, 5A.202, telephone 01206 874969, email ppsug@essex.ac.uk

 

Availability
No
No
No

External examiner

Dr Anthony John Faramelli
Goldsmiths
Lecturer in Visual Cultures
Resources
Available via Moodle
Of 14 hours, 14 (100%) hours available to students:
0 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.

 

Further information
Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies

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