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PSY-20078 - Module Specification
School of Psychology
Faculty of Natural Sciences

For academic year: 2026/27 Last Updated: 17 March 2026

PSY-20078 - Introduction to Person Centred Therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Coordinator: Chris Stiff Tel: +44 1782 7 33667
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 5
Credits: 30
Study Hours: 300
School Office: 01782 733736

Programme/Approved Electives for 2026/27

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2026/27

In this module, you will be introduced to the history, science, and theories of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and person centered counselling.
For CBT, you will be introduced to interventions and associated psychological and behaviour processes when working with common mental health problems, such as depression, phobias, anxiety, etc. You will develop your understanding of CBT by engaging with and critically reviewing the empirical research around cognition and the application of therapeutic techniques.
For person-centered approaches, This module will equip you with a firm grounding in the person-centred counselling perspective, including an exploration of Rogers’ model of personality, and model of therapeutic change. Your learning will be underpinned by a combination of lecture-style classes and participation in group work, alongside independent study. You will be encouraged to study both classic texts and current research within the field, as you develop your understanding of person-centred counselling theory and its applications. On this module, you will be invited to engage in activities designed to help you develop your personal and professional awareness, thereby honing skills that would be essential for supporting personal and professional relationships.
This module will enable you to be conversant and strengthen your understanding of person-centred counselling and/or CBT as you consider the other counselling approaches you will learn about on the Psychology with Counselling programme.

Aims
This module aims to introduce you to the science and theories of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and person-centred counselling. You will learn about CBT treatment interventions and processes when working with common mild/moderate mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, etc. You will also develop your understanding of CBT by engaging with and critically reviewing empirical research. You will develop a person-centred way of co-creating a facilitative counselling relationship, and your personal and professional awareness.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Apply CBT approaches to common mental health problems: 1
Evaluate current research around CBT theory: 1
Apply knowledge on the course to personal experiences and professional development: 3
Apply knowledge of the key aspects of person-centred counselling practice: 2
Demonstrate key professional and personal qualities and attributes, in line with the BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions: 1,3

Study hours

23 x 2 hour scheduled classes
23 x 1 hour asynchronous content
231 independent study hours broken down as:
Research for assessment 1 50
Writing assessment 1 40
Research for assessment 2 50
Writing assessment 2 40
Personal reflection (for assessment 3) 23
Miscellaneous time for group work, preparation etc. 28


School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Assignment weighted 50%
Applied report
Students will write a 2500 word report comparing two mental health conditions that have been discussed as part of this module. Students will discuss and compare how CBT can be used for the different conditions, critiquing the effectiveness for each.

2: Assignment weighted 50%
Review of case studies
Students will use their person-centred knowledge and understanding to review a presented case study of a client assessment, including a review of the measures used, based on empirical evidence around this approach, as well consideration of the appropriateness of the approach for the problem. Students will choose 1 case study from a range. Word count: 2500 words

3: Assignment weighted 0%
Reflective summary
Students will be encouraged to keep a record of their reflections on their learning and their personal and professional development throughout the course. For this assessment, students will need to briefly summarise their key lessons, critical incidents, and personal reflections from the module, using their journal to help. This component is not assessed, but is a required element for gaining a module mark. Word count: 500

The University undertakes a continuous review of its teaching and research provision to ensure programmes are of a high quality and changes may be made to modules where it is necessary and reasonable to do so. Please be aware that minor changes to modules, such as a change to an individual assessment, can occur up until enrolment, although we endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes. Details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/legalgovernancecompliance/governance/actcharterstatutesordinancesandregulations/studenttermsconditions/

Last Updated: 17 March 2026