Module Directory

This module provides third year Clinical Psychology trainees with the competencies to work effectively with people with personality disorder and to work within forensic settings, including understanding requirements relating to providing court reports and expert witness work.

Additionally, provision is made for specialist, elective teaching on the basis of topics identified in consultation with trainees. The aim of this elective teaching, is to provide some flexibility in the teaching provided in the course of the 3-year doctoral-level training programme, to include additional specialist topics.

Working with individuals with complex needs

The main aim of this topic within the broader module of Clinical Interventions and Skills (3) - Working with complexity, is to provide trainees with the necessary knowledge and skills to understand the impact of trauma on individuals presenting with complex needs and developmental difficulties to NHS settings. There will be a specific focus on using psychodynamic and integrative approaches to develop psychological formulations and interventions tailored to the patients', clinical services and institution's needs.

Forensic settings, assessments and court reporting

This topic area aims to provide trainees with a working knowledge of the role of clinical psychologist within forensic settings. Additionally, trainees are given opportunities to develop their understanding of the role of clinical psychologists as expert witnesses and in preparing court reports. There is also teaching on specialist risk assessment in forensic settings.

Elective teaching

The main aims of this module are to provide trainees with additional teaching on specialist topic areas identified in the course of the third year as areas requiring further teaching and development.

Working with individuals with complex needs

By the end of the module, trainees will:

• Have an advanced understanding of psychodynamic and integrative approaches and techniques for working with complex trauma.


• Have a better understanding of the role of clinical psychologists within challenging settings such as crisis teams and working in the role of responsible / approved clinician


• Understand issues relating to the provision of psychological services, including processes relating to working with commissioners and related stakeholders

Forensic settings, assessments and court reporting

By the end of this module, trainees will:

• Have a greater understanding of the role of clinical psychologists within forensic settings including youth offending settings.


• Have a working knowledge of the process involved in conducting assessments for court reports and in acting as expert witness in court.


• Understand specialist risk assessment within forensic settings.

Elective teaching

Although some additional specialist topics will be included within elective teaching, generally trainees will:

• Have an understanding of the theory and clinical application of evidence based psychological interventions applied to borderline personality disorder, antisocial and narcissistic personality disorder and - to a lesser degree - other personality disorders


• Have a working knowledge of evidence-based approaches for treating difficulties associated with diagnoses of personality disorders


• Be aware of a range of formal and informal assessment tools and approaches used to assess personality disorders.

This module is undertaken in the third year and aims to develop trainees' competencies in relation to a number of key topics which include:

1. Clinical understanding of working with complex presentations including service users with complex trauma, of the meaning of the trauma at an individual as well as cultural/societal level. Applying practice with marginalised and "hard to reach" groups e.g. homelessness


2. Court and forensic settings, assessments and court reporting


3. Elective teaching (augmenting and expanding upon teaching over the year and with reference to ending the course)

This module will be delivered via:

• A range of teaching strategies, including lectures, small group discussions, case presentations and practical work.

Additionally, given the focus on clinical approaches and skill development, some practical sessions involving role-play (with specific therapeutic techniques) will also be used.

Audio-visual material (especially for topic area 2.1) will be used to further demonstrate the practical application of various therapeutic interventions and techniques. Trainees will also be required to complete various self-report measures (they will not be required to divulge any findings) in order to familiarise themselves with the measures as well as the constructs involved.