Contemporary Approaches to Specific Psychological Difficulties: A Critical Evaluation

1.Demonstrate the following knowledge and understanding:

A critical knowledge and understanding of counselling and psychotherapeutic context specific models and theories.

2.Demonstrate the following skills and abilities:

To be able to apply relevant methods, techniques and skills in counselling and psychotherapy with specific regard to specific problems.

What am I required to do in this assignment?

Students are required to submit an essay which critically evaluates contemporary approaches to a specific psychological difficulty. They need to choose one out of two questions (please see the below). Your essay needs to follow a  coherent structure including introduction, body of essay, discussion, conclusion and references. The essay should demonstrate an argument within a well-organized, structured format including introduction, essay body and  an effective conclusion.

Essay Questions:

1.Compare and contrast two different therapeutic approaches used for treatment of depression. Refer to evidence of effectiveness and relapse rates in your essay.

2.With reference to CBT, provide explanation for the development and treatment of eating disorders and evaluate the effectiveness of CBT for eating disorders.

You need also to follow a particularly coherent thread of argument throughout including a critical evaluation of the evidence demonstrated in the essay, following an essay structure depicted below.

INTRODUCTION

A clear and relevant argument should be outlined.

BODY OF ESSAY

All information in your essay should be relevant to the question. There should be evidence-based details to support the argument. You should include a clear discussion often where two or more opposing approaches, theories or pieces of evidence are evaluated.  You should include a critique supported by citations.

Discussion and Critique

You should include a clear discussion often where two or more opposing approaches, theories or pieces of evidence are evaluated.  You should include a critique supported by citations.

You should draw the threads of your argument together here and link back to what you said you would do in the Introduction. By the end of the Discussion you will have answered the question posed in the essay title.

What do I need to do to pass? (Threshold Expectations from UIF)

Identify some relevant literature which is subjected to some critical appraisal using APA style for presentation.

Demonstrate a coherent line of argument within a clear argument structure

How do I produce high quality work that merits a good grade?

We will dedicate time during the tutorial and discuss assessment 1 (essay writing) in more details and address queries in this regard.

Further support will be offered by appointment with the unit co-ordinator.

How does this assignment relate to what we are doing in scheduled sessions?

The aim of the essay is to apply what you have learned in lectures and in your readings to come up with a framework to address the question. The essay should therefore explain and critique various theories you have come across and illustrate them with evidence based examples and research based findings.

How will my assignment be marked?

Your assignment will be marked according to the threshold expectations and the criteria on the following page.

You can use them to evaluate your own work and consider your grade before you submit.