• Year one
• Core module
• Module lead: Francesca Benjamin

Module aims
The aims of the module are to:

• facilitate the writing of detailed accounts of interactions encountered in the placement, in the first person, to include your own actions, feelings and comments as well as those of the adult or children observed
• deepen critical awareness of the impact that difference in identity and experience can make – this includes consideration of social class, race, sexual orientation, gender, religion, disability and age
• carry over the observational stance into the study of interactions and behaviour in placement work
• reflect on your reactions and behaviour within the placement and to deepen your self-reflective capacities
• develop an understanding of unconscious communication and processes which are inherent in relationships, through engagement with placement observation
• develop the capacity to notice your own limitations, and to reflect on these
• develop understanding of a range of roles and settings in community settings, through group learning and discussion
• study the emotional experience in interactions between workers or volunteers and clients, where feelings evoked might impact on behaviour or the professional task
• be able to formulate a coherent hypothesis linked with relevant evidence
• develop the capacity for self-directed learning

Module assessment
This module is not formally assessed. However, you will need to set up a placement where you can develop psychoanalytic observational skills (see placement information below). You must submit 12 of your observation write ups over the year to successfully complete the course.

• Year one
• Core module
• Module lead: Francesca Benjamin

Module aims
The aims of the module are to:

• provide an introduction to psychodynamic theory and its development over time, through lectures and discussion
• critically explore psychoanalytic concepts which support work in mental health, covering a range of topics linked with emotional development and mental health
• develop a foundation level understanding of personality development, and the impact of individual social, cultural, economic and racial differences on identity
• learn about the psychodynamic setting and the therapeutic relationship
• learn about a range of mental health diagnoses and their presentation
• critically examine the role of equality, diversity, power and oppression in therapeutic practice and in psychodynamic theory
• gain understanding of basic psychoanalytic techniques in a live working group and to explore group processes and our roles in them
• facilitate critical reading of key psychoanalytic texts in large group discussions.
• consider the theoretical material presented in the light of differing cultural perspectives.
• facilitate curiosity, self-reflection, and self-directed learning about reactions to the material presented
• provide basic psychodynamic concepts with which to understand observational placement work
• help you reflect on how theory can develop skills and understanding needed for future clinical trainings

Module assessment
This module is not formally assessed.

The requirement to undertake a workplace observation project is a significant component of the course. Ideally, this should be in place before the course begins. The project may be within your own current workplace – if you work in a healthcare, education or other related profession. If that is not possible, you must organise a voluntary placement in a suitable setting.

It is strongly advised that placements are organised and secured prior to, or immediately following the start of the course to fully maximise your learning experience and opportunity whilst enrolled.

Examples of suitable placements include: a mental healthcare setting (local mental health or hospital setting), a charitable organisation, or an educational setting (a school or youth centre).

The placement can be a purely observational experience, such as observing a support group in a mental health clinic or psychiatric unit. You could also opt for a more hands-on experience of becoming a befriender for clients who come to your chosen centre or service, or taking a group of children or young people for an activity in an educational or youth programme setting. A number of our students take up roles with elderly or homeless service users and find these roles very rewarding.

We ask that you put aside at least two hours per week for your placement. Alongside this, each week you must write a work observation report (1,500 words) – you will take turns to present this in weekly work discussion seminars.