ÄûÃÊÊÓÆµ

School of Psychology

Clinical Skills: practitioner (919C8)

Note to prospective students: this content is drawn from our database of current courses and modules. The detail does vary from year to year as our courses are constantly under review and continuously improving, but this information should give you a real flavour of what it is like to study at Sussex.

Clinical Skills: practitioner and lived experience perspectives

Module 919C8

Module details for 2025/26.

15 credits

FHEQ Level 7 (Masters)

Full Module Description

This module introduces clinical psychology from two perspectives: the practitioner (clinical psychologist) and the client (lived experience). It explores how each experiences and develops key skills in talking about mental health, supporting recovery, and building therapeutic relationships. The module covers assessment, formulation, and the well-being of practitioners and informal caregivers. Drawing on both practitioner and client experiences, it examines issues such as discussing distressing experiences, the importance of relationship-building, the pace of assessment, and the role of supervision in maintaining well-being. All topics are grounded in relevant theories and models of therapy, formulation, and supervision.

Module learning outcomes

To understand some of the key clinical skills required by clinical psychologists

To understand and critically appraise the role of the therapeutic relationship in clinical work

To reflect on their clinical skills (e.g. listening skills) and identify areas for development

TypeTimingWeighting
Portfolio (2500 words)Semester 1 Assessment Week 2 Mon 16:00100.00%
Timing

Submission deadlines may vary for different types of assignment/groups of students.

Weighting

Coursework components (if listed) total 100% of the overall coursework weighting value.

TermMethodDurationWeek pattern
Autumn SemesterWorkshop2 hours11111011111

How to read the week pattern

The numbers indicate the weeks of the term and how many events take place each week.

Please note that the University will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver courses and modules in accordance with the descriptions set out here. However, the University keeps its courses and modules under review with the aim of enhancing quality. Some changes may therefore be made to the form or content of courses or modules shown as part of the normal process of curriculum management.

The University reserves the right to make changes to the contents or methods of delivery of, or to discontinue, merge or combine modules, if such action is reasonably considered necessary by the University. If there are not sufficient student numbers to make a module viable, the University reserves the right to cancel such a module. If the University withdraws or discontinues a module, it will use its reasonable endeavours to provide a suitable alternative module.