Psychology with Counselling BSc (Hons)

You develop the skills needed to read and evaluate psychological information, theories and research papers. Exploring different cognitive biases, you examine common errors that people make when assessing arguments and evaluating evidence, and how to overcome widespread mistakes.

You explore complex and contemporary debates in psychology and look to apply psychological research and theory to real-world problems.

You are introduced to the field of counselling and the theories it uses, how it relates to other disciplines, where counselling takes place, different kinds of people counselling can support, social problems it tackles, the history of counselling from its beginnings through to modern day, the contemporary issues it faces. You will develop formative counselling skills including developing a supportive relationship, professional boundaries and using questions appropriately. Major theoretical approaches that may be helpful for counsellors attempting to support people facing life difficulties are considered.

You focus on key concepts in mental health and explore some of the philosophical aspects of mental health, as well as looking at mental health and society.

You gain a foundation in psychological research methods and analysis.

You study core psychological theories and perspectives including biological, social, individual differences, developmental and cognitive psychology.

Explore the therapist-client relationship with practical guidelines for how to understand and intervene with clients from the initial intake through to termination.

Employability and personal transferrable skills are developed whilst also working in partnership with local organisations.

You explore biological, neurological and evolutionary explanations for a series of identified psychological topics.

You focus on current cognitive psychological theories and their application, as well as experimental designs in the context of the study of cognitive psychology.

You critically examine competing perspectives, contemporary debates, historical perspectives and applied topics within developmental psychology.

You develop an understanding of non-experimental research in the context of the study of individual differences in psychology.

You explore multicultural counselling and service evaluation. You learn how to tailor your skills and techniques to different types of clients you may work with including LGBTQ+, ethnic minorities, clients with disabilities, end-of-life clients and refugees, and how to evaluate the effectiveness of the services offered to clients.

Deep dive into a topic linked to your chosen programme of study, selected by you in consultation with a dissertation supervisor.

This module is aimed at students who have an interest in applied aspects of cognitive psychology, especially educational psychology, as well as those interested in developmental and bio-psychology.
The module introduces you to a range of different neurodevelopmental disorders e.g. autistic spectrum disorder, dyslexia, ADHD, specific-language impairment, Williams syndrome, Dyscalculia, Fragile X and Downs syndrome. Each disorder will be considered in terms of its diagnostic criteria, characteristics, theoretical perspectives and issues with comorbidity. As such we will discuss each condition at the levels of biology (including genetics), cognition, behaviour and the environment.
Wider issues such as the social aspects of neurodevelopmental disorders, including integration in education, lifespan changes and methodological and ethical issues in researching neurodevelopmental disorders will also be addressed.

Gain academic credit for participating in work experience related to criminology, criminal justice and sociology. You may find your own work experience (subject to approval from your module tutor) or you can take advantage of work experience opportunities offered as part of the module.

Work experience must be performed to an agreed job description and person specification for a minimum of 60 working hours. To take part you must complete a DBS check, along with any other security checks required by your work experience provider. You must also agree to and sign a legal agreement outlining the obligations of yourself, the University and the work experience provider. Alongside your work experience you explore employability issues and skills through a number of interactive workshops led by professionals from within and outside the University.

This module has limited places and participation is subject to a selection process involving an application, shortlisting and interview.

This module explores psychology’s role in progressing, treating and managing illness. You will consider the dominant discussions of health and illness and explore the methods used to measure and assess health and illness. This module explores health promotion interventions, particularly the associated psychological issues that need to be considered when you are addressing the health and illness needs of individuals across the lifespan.

This module provides an arena for you to study in depth one of the most intriguing and misunderstood aspects of psychological experience – that of selfhood.
It brings together a number of sub-disciplines that throw light on selfhood and subjective experience. Perspectives from social, developmental, and clinical psychology are combined in this module to offer you the opportunity to explore what selfhood means to you and how different constructs of selfhood can be enriching to the human experience.

Therapeutic Care and Meaningful Interactions provides you with experience and knowledge of working as a Therapeutic Care Volunteer (TCV) within South Tees NHS Trust. You have the opportunity to develop transferable knowledge and employability skills. You cover confidentiality, data protection, communications, problem-solving, group work, time management, self-management, and record keeping. You have the opportunity to work within a health care team across any combination of wards across the Trust and community hospitals, whilst maintaining boundaries and a professional relationship with individuals.