PL4229 Psychological Therapies Module Review

Hello!

I was really looking forward to this module by Dr Sharon Lu, and I wasn’t disappointed. I took this in AY16/17 Sem 1. Previously, I had taken PL3257 introduction to clinical psychology under her, so I know her style of teaching.

Let me start off by saying, if you intend to pursue clinical psychology, this is definitely the module to take. She tries to put in more hands-on components like role plays, and allows you to really see what’s it like to do therapy. I guess if you don’t intend to pursue, you can still take! If you’re interested.

Module Content

The focus of the module is on CBT (no prizes for guessing). But she introduced other therapies which I found interesting and appealing as well – narrative therapy, emotion-focused, psychoanalytic and family systems. What was most helpful was learning the therapeutic techniques so you actually get to see how to carry out the session. Other topics included case formulation.

Grading Components

1.       Individual assignment (2000 words) – apply CBT to yourself for a (minor) problem/issue eg wanting to wake earlier.

2.       Group presentation – this is not the usual presentation, but a role play where Dr Lu is the client and your group is the therapist. There’ll be a set of criteria she wants you to cover, just follow. You’ll also need to prepare materials like a handout, homework etc.

3.       Final exam – there were no compulsory readings, i.e. not tested on the readings. the last few seminars were the group presentations, so not tested. She also didn’t test psychoanalytic and family systems therapy. There was one seminar that there were no lecture notes, so that wasn’t tested. So you’re probably reading this and thinking, what is tested? AND THAT’S THE QUESTION I ASKED MYSELF TOO. There were 6 or less lectures tested for the final exam lol. IS THIS THE REAL LIFE. Best module ever? I THINK SO.

Reflections

I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Dr Lu is quite experienced and told us many stories of her own clients. Other than that, the module was really very chill. I guess cos she believes in letting us pursue this out of our own interest, rather than say forcing us to read the readings and becoming all stressed. Good for us I guess haha.

Signing off,

L