Develop the knowledge and skills to provide support individuals with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in this flexible training course delivered in partnership with Berkshire Traumatic Stress Service.
This exciting course will benefit healthcare professionals working in a variety of settings with individuals with PTSD and complex PTSD, such as: adult mental health services, IAPT services, children and young people’s mental health services, social work, forensic services, military and policing, as well as other industries.
Our Postgraduate Certificate in Traumatic Stress Studies course consists of three modules which each will help improve your understanding of key theoretical principles and the applications of evidence-based treatments of PTSD and complex PTSD.
Teaching will support students to develop their skills in assessment, formulation, and treatment. Students will also learn how to optimise treatment outcomes for their clients by taking individual differences and contexts into considerations.
As a flexible course, students can choose a combination of training days, depending on individual training needs, to develop knowledge and confidence in providing effective psychological therapies for a range of clinical populations.
Additionally, each module can be taken as a stand-alone and each of the training days of the Advanced Trauma module can be booked as individual workshops. Modules can also be studied as part of Continuing Professional Development, or credits towards a Level 7 qualification.
Course begins on 10 March, please see module details below for full details of course dates. Applications close to students on Friday 5 March.
Modules
This 4-day module will provide a thorough background to the fundamentals of cognitive behavioural therapy, and the role of evidence-based interventions within the NHS. No previous CBT knowledge is needed. On completion of this module students will have a detailed understanding of the generic approach to CBT, and be ready to be trained in disorder specific models and interventions.
Content begins with cognitive theory and how it has evolved into a psychological intervention. This knowledge is then applied to the development of clinical formulations for the understanding of mental health problems. The varied levels of formulation are considered, along with the associated clinical issues of putting these into practice. The teaching will take the form of lectures/small group work, audio and video-tape, role-play exercises and discussion.
The aims of this module are to:
• develop an understanding of evidence-based psychological treatments and the importance that this occupies in the provision of therapeutic services
• understand the role of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence
• provide an introduction to evidence-based psychological treatments and the particular importance of cognitive behavioural therapy in the treatment of various Axis I disorders.
• train students to understand cognitive behavioural theory, and key therapeutic strategies such as the use of personalised formulation, thought diaries and behavioural experiments
Learning outcomes
Students will be able to demonstrate the ability to:-
• critically evaluate therapies to establish their level of evidence and the resultant level of recommendation by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence
• use personalised formulations, behavioural experiments, and thought records appropriately and effectively
• understand the interface between research, clinical practice and the policies endorsed by the National Health Service.
Assessment
Assessment takes the form of a written examination on clinical knowledge. It consists of brief open-ended essay questions. In accordance with the University’s guidelines, students must gain a mark of 50% or over to be awarded a pass.
Dates
Module classes are taking place on 10, 12, 17 and 19 March 2021.
This 4-day module will cover the core knowledge and skills that participants will need in order to work with clients who experience PTSD (following type I trauma). Participants will gain an understanding of psychological theories and of the current evidence–based interventions for treating PSTD. In particular, participants will gain skills in the assessment and formulation of PTSD as well as in specific therapeutic techniques in working with PTSD. Emphasis will also be placed on students’ own self-care when working with highly distressed clients.
The aims of this module are to:
• train students in current research and psychological theories of PTSD
• develop skills in assessment and formulation of PTSD
• train students in evidence-based psychological treatment of PTSD, specifically skills in trauma-focused CBT, as recommended by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE)
• train students in optimising outcomes for their clients by taking individual differences and contexts into consideration
• the importance of students’ own self-care will also be emphasised
• constructively discuss and reflect on the clinical work of themselves and others presented in small discussion groups
Intended learning outcomes
Students will be able to demonstrate the ability to:-
• understand psychological theories of PTSD and their clinical application
• be able to assess and formulate PTSD
• be able to apply evidence-based psychological treatment to clients with PTSD
• gain confidence in working with clients with PTSD and trauma histories
Brief description of teaching and learning methods
The aims of this module will be achieved through a 4-day workshop, which will incorporate lectures, role-plays, case-examples small group discussions. Students’ knowledge and skills will be assessed through a 90 minute exam, which will take place a few weeks after the end of the teaching block.
Assessment (optional)
Students will be required to complete a knowledge-based exam. This will comprise of short-answer questions to assess students’ knowledge. In accordance with the University’s guidelines, students must gain a mark of 50% or over to be awarded a pass.
Dates
Module classes are taking place on 20, 21, 27 and 28 April 2021.
This module will focus on helping participants to develop advanced skills for working with complex (type II) trauma and specific populations affected by trauma. Special considerations (such as ethical, lifespan and cultural issues) and evidence-based practice for these clients will be covered. Workshops will be aimed at developing specific advanced techniques and knowledge.
The aims of the course are to:
• equip participants with the knowledge and skills that they will need to assess formulate and treat clients with complex trauma histories
• develop participants knowledge of specific populations affected by trauma and how to tailor work with them to meet their specific needs
• enable participants to develop and build upon specialist areas of interest in working in trauma and PTSD
• constructively discuss and reflect on the clinical work of themselves and others presented in small discussion groups
• continue to develop and apply skills in self-care
Intended learning outcomes
Students will:
• gain confidence in working with clients with complex PTSD
• gain knowledge of specific populations affected by trauma
• make theory practice links and critically reflect on clinical work with clients with complex PTSD
Brief description of teaching and learning methods
The aims of this module will be achieved through attendance at a 4-day workshop on the Advanced Skills course. Participants will then attend 2 days of training on specific populations affected by trauma. All workshops will be presented by specialists in the field.
Assessment (optional)
Students will be required to complete a knowledge-based exam. This will comprise of short-answer questions to assess students’ knowledge. In accordance with the University’s guidelines, students must gain a mark of 50% or over to be awarded a pass.
Dates
Module classes are taking place on 14,15, 21, 22, 28 and 29 June, as well as 5, 6 and 7 July.
For further information please contact cwiadmin@reading.ac.uk or 0118 378 7491
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