PYMANXA-Theory and Practice for Anxiety Disorders

Module Provider: Psychology
Number of credits: 40 [20 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Spring / Summer / Autumn module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites: PYMFUNA Fundamentals of Evidence-Based Treatments (CBT) and PYMDEPA Theory and Practice for Depression
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2022/3

Module Convenor: Mr Ting Chiu
Email: t.chiu@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module will cover the evidence base for CBT assessment and treatment for anxiety disorders. The module will cover anxiety disorders generally, as well as the specific ones: specific phobia, panic disorder, social phobia, illness anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and generalised anxiety disorder (GAD).��

Aims:

1. To develop practical competency in evidence-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for anxiety disorders


2. To develop critical knowledge of the theoretical and research literature of CBT for anxiety disorders.

Assessable learning outcomes:

Achieving the learning outcomes listed below will ensure that students have developed the required competences related to the anxiety disorders listed in the competency framework (Roth and Pilling 2007- see https://www.ucl.ac.uk/pals/research/clinical-educational-and-health-psychology/research-groups/core/competence-frameworks-2). Overall it is expected that the students will attain the specific competences set out in the IAPT high intensity curriculum (https://www.hee.nhs.uk/our-work/mental- health/improving-access-psychological-therapies).

At the end of the course students will be able to demonstrate the following:����������

1. A critical understanding of the phenomenology, diagnostic classifications and epidemiological characteristics of anxiety disorders


2. Competency in assessing clients for suitability for CBT with anxiety disorders


3. Constructing maintenance and developmental conce ptualisations of cases of anxiety disorders


4. Developing CBT treatment plans for a range of anxiety disorders


5. Demonstrate evidence of critical evaluation of theoretical evidence based interventions integrated within and guiding therapy with anxiety disorders


6. Collaboratively deriving an anxiety model with a client


7. Demonstrate the ability to elicit and evaluate key cognitions and images in anxiety disorders


8. Competency in constructing, carrying out and evaluating behavioural experiments


9. Demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving basic therapeutic problems with anxiety disorders


10. Demonstrate self-direction and originality in working with co-morbidity and solving more complex therapeutic problems


11. Ability to deal with ending therapy and planning for long term maintenance of gains with evidence of relapse prevention plan


12. Begin to practise as “scientist practitioners” continuing to advance their knowledge and understanding to develop new skills with anxiety to a high level


13. Demonstrate insightful knowledge of CBT and an ability to identify own values and beliefs in working with anxiety and CBT’s application to their own lives


14. Demonstrate competency in making best use of supervision with anxiety disorders on the course


15. Demonstrate an ability to sensitively ad apt CBT for anxiety disorders, and ensure equitable access of CBT to diverse cultures and values

Demonstrate a working knowledge of the principles and practice, and competency in delivering high intensity psychological therapy within a stepped care system

Additional outcomes:

1. Students will gain confidence in the assessment and treatment of clients with anxiety.


2. Academically, students will develop skills in critical appraisal of research and develop theory-practice links.


3. Reflective practice will be integrated as part of all training within the module.

Outline content:

The module will comprise in-class teaching, clinical skills practice/supervised clinical practice, supervision in-service and independent study.�� Teaching and supervision is delivered by experienced BABCP accredited therapists. The following will be covered:

• Phenomenology, diagnostic classification and epidemiological characteristics of anxiety disorders


• Assessment and formulation for CBT with anxiety disorders


• Risk assessm ent, mental state examination, personal, medical history relevant to anxiety disorders


• Application and suitability for CBT with anxiety disorders: contraindications for treatment, the role of pharmacological interventions and substance misuse, how to refer on to other agencies if unsuitable


• Clinical process for anxiety disorders– formulation, rationale giving, active treatment, relapse prevention


• Use of clinical measurement with specific anxi ety disorders to monitor CBT process and outcome


• The role of the therapeutic relationship in CBT with anxiety disorders


• Anxiety Disorders: clinical and research: clinical trials; outcome studies


• Theories and experimental studies of process in anxiety disorders


• Application of theory and method to the individual case in anxiety disorders


• Experiential learning: illustrating how cognitive methods with anxiety can be appl ied to the students’ own lives


• Values, culture and diversity (access, ethical, professional and cultural considerations)


• Effective use of supervision in working with people with anxiety disorders to enhance and regulate good practice


• An overview of the principles of the stepped care system, knowledge of low intensity interventions with anxiety disorders and the role of high intensity psychological therapy within that framework

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

1. Experiential and skills based workshops providing students with a strong foundation in the clinical procedures of CBT, and addressing the most up-to-date research development


2. Skills based competences will be developed through small group experiential work and role plays in workshops, group supervision by course members and individual/group supervision in the place of work.


3. On-going clinical supervision provided by members of the course team and at the place of work.


4. Self-directed study to include general reading for each course and preparatory reading for each session. DVD/video library and web based resources will be available in order that students can borrow and study examples of clinical therapy sessions and clinical demonstrations of specific techniques.


5. Case management and problem based learning will be facilitated through a combination of course and work-based supervision.

��

Contact hours:

Teaching contact hours:��average minimum of 100 hours; the total minimum teaching contact hours summed across Modules PYMFUNA, PYMANXA and PYMDEPA (including clinical skills and supervision) is over 290 hours.

Supervision contact hours: average minimum of 12 hours in University and 12 in the Service.�� The total minimum supervision contact hours summe d across modules PYMFUNA, PYMANXA and PYMDEPA is 70 hours.

Total contact hours:��Minimum of 400, to include lectures, clinical skills, supervision and guided independent study.

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

The assessment has three��parts:

1. Extended case report of a client with an anxiety disorder


2. Case study presentation of a client with an anxiety disorder


3. One video-recording of therapy for anxiety rated using the CTS-R (linked to the extended case report)

These three assignments are equally weighted

All assessments are assessed using a standardised measure and must pass at 50% with no auto fail criteria.

Formative assessment methods:

In addition to the three summative assessments for this module, the student will be required to submit:

��

1.���������������������� Information to be included in the Accreditation Portfolio.

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy £Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes£, which can be found here: