University of Southampton Doctoral Programme in Clinical Psychology
Professional Training Unit
School of Psychology
34 Bassett Crescent East
Near Boldrewood Campus
SOUTHAMPTON
SO16 7PB
Telephone: 023 8059 5320
Academic Administrator (Selection and Placements): Mrs Linda Booth
Link to University of Southampton website
The Programme at the University of Southampton started life over 30 years ago as the Wessex In-Service Clinical Psychology Training course. The Clinical Psychology programme is an integrated three year programme leading to a professional qualification in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsychol).
Trainees join a busy School which also offers applied postgraduate qualifications in Educational Psychology (also a taught doctorate), Health Psychology, and a range of postgraduate Cognitive Therapy courses, including IAPT training. Successful completion of the Programme leads to eligibility for registration as a Practitioner (Clinical) Psychologist with HPC (Health Professions Council) and eligibility for Chartered Psychologist status with the BPS (British Psychological Society).
The aim of the Programme is to develop students' knowledge, understanding and application of theory, empirical evidence and treatments core to the practice of clinical psychology, in order for them to be appropriately trained to work, on completion, as Clinical Psychologists within the health service (NHS). They should be equipped to reduce psychological distress and enhance and promote well-being. Their work will be based upon the fundamental knowledge that all people have the same human value and the right to be treated as unique individuals.
As part of the Russell group, the University prides itself as being a research-led University. The School of Psychology was ranked eighth in the latest RAE exercise. Within the School there are three Research Divisions - the Division of Clinical Neuroscience, Division of Cognition and the Division of Human Well-Being. These have linked research centres and laboratories, including the Centre for the Study of Emotion and Motivation, the Centre for Sexual Health Research, the Centre for Clinical Applications of Health Psychology, the Centre for Visual Cognition, and the Centre for Research in Self and Identity, together with the Developmental Disabilities Laboratory, the Developmental Brain-Behaviour Laboratory, and the Memory and Association Learning Laboratory. There is also a Cognitive Therapy research group. There is a strong commitment to Clinical Psychology within the School with three research professors within the field, Professor Brendan Bradley and Professor Karin Mogg (and their research team focusing on emotion and motivation) as well as Professor Tom Lynch, whose primary research is in relation to mood disorders, particularly treatment resistant depression and third wave cognitive therapies.
The Clinical Programme advocates the use of good case formulation and effective clinical methods with no adherence to a particular theoretical orientation. The emphasis is two-fold: firstly, we value the concept of evidence-based practice. Secondly, we value the use of evidence-generating practice. Our ideal trainee will be able to see the value of the research and clinical literatures in determining the optimal treatment for the individual client, but will also recognise the use of psychological theory in generating new ideas when the research and clinical literatures are insufficient. We aim to ensure that trainees understand that their own clinical and research work can contribute to our profession's knowledge base about psychopathology and treatment.
In order to achieve the goals of evidence-based and evidence-generating practice, the Programme has a strong emphasis on the role of theory-practice and research-practice links and aims to cover a wide range of therapies and interventions. In order to develop those links, trainees attend an academic programme of lectures, seminars and workshops, which are integrated with their supervised clinical experience. The academic programme is taught primarily at the School of Psychology at the University of Southampton, which has all of the facilities that one would expect of a large, well-resourced academic base. The Programme is based in the Professional Training Unit of the School of Psychology, which is part of the Faculty of Social and Human Sciences. The development of the Programme is influenced by a range of stakeholders represented on the Programme Board and its working subgroups (Selection, Placement Planning & Monitoring). Day to day organisation is the task of the Programme Team (for Research, Teaching, Clinical Placements).
The Programme stresses the importance of theory-practice links throughout training, and aims to cover a wide range of therapies and interventions. There is a particular emphasis on the CBT model, a strength of the programme. With the support of supervisors, the Programme is able to provide trainees with placements offering a wide variety of approaches and client groups, with the majority of teaching delivered by those in the field to enhance those theory practice links.
Trainees develop skills and competencies across the adult life-span (working and beyond working age) in Year 1; Year 2 currently focuses on Child and Learning Disability. In Year 3 there is a dedicated research "placement" of three months (with a full time focus on this aspect of the programme) and the final clinical placement of eight months normally gives opportunities to develop key advanced skills in relation to personal developing clinical interests. Exceptions to this are where the final placement or part of it must be used to cover gaps or deficits identified during training and still outstanding. Placements are largely located in and around: Portsmouth, Southampton, Winchester, Eastleigh, North Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, although we do make use of specialist placements further afield through negotiation with other Programmes.
The Programme is organised by the University-based clinical and research teams via stakeholders' structures which include trainee representatives, as appropriate.
Trainee intakes are commissioned and funded by South Central Strategic Health Authority, with an annual intake of 13, as from the 2010 intake.
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The entry criteria for the Programme are the following: at least a 2.1 degree in psychology, which confers Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) by the British Psychological Society, together with relevant prior clinical or research experience, ideally in a health care or similar setting. We do not specify a minimum length of work experience. However, in practice, due to the high number of applicants with a range of experience, those with minimal experience are unlikely to be selected.
We also require minimum evidence of competence in Statistics and Research methods (currently a score/rating of 60% or equivalent as evidenced by Undergraduate Transcripts, or the attainment of a post graduate qualification in research/statistics). If an applicant does not yet have an Undergraduate transcript, in order to be considered, they would need to provide formal evidence from their University with regard to Statistics/Research competence.
Overseas applicants would need to ensure that their degree gives them GBC by the British Psychological Society, and that they would be entitled to work in the UK as they would be employed by the NHS. They would also, as noted above, need to provide evidence of statistics and research skills.
The University of Southampton is committed to a comprehensive policy of equal opportunities in employment and for students, with its basis in inclusiveness. Individuals are selected and treated on the basis of their relevant merits and abilities and are given equal opportunities within the University. (A copy of the University of Southampton's Equal Opportunities Policy Statement can be found on the University website.)
It should be noted that although we are reviewing the adoption of the "Two Ticks" scheme for disabled access to the programme, we do not currently invite applicants for interview on this basis.
Enquiries about the Programme are dealt with by the Academic Administrator (Selection and Placements).
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There are currently two stages to the selection procedure: review of application forms and interviews. Currently we have a yearly intake of 13, and anticipate interviewing 44 applicants for the 2012 intake.
Following screening for minimum standards in research and statistics, Application Forms are reviewed anonymously by two raters independently. Subsequently, those selected for interview are seen by two panels (Clinical and Research/Academic), comprised of Programme team members and NHS staff who are actively involved in the Programme as supervisors and/or external lecturers.
Interviews are Competency based (competencies being derived from the relevant Trainee Person Specification), and are currently conducted by two interviewers. Membership of panels is arranged to reflect a balance of research, academic and professional representation and gender. Interviews are each approximately 30 minutes in length.
The interview process has been developed with consultation of Service User representatives, who also generate an interview question for the Clinical Panel.
Unfortunately due to time constraints it is only possible to give feedback to applicants who were unsuccessful following interview. We are therefore not able to give feedback to applicants who were not selected for interview.
In line with the Programme's policy of continuing development there may be, over time, changes to our selection process which we will post on our website.
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Trainees are accountable to the Director of the Programme and are paid on NHS Agenda for Change Band 6 with 27 days leave per year (taken by arrangement with the Programme Director), plus any increase entitlement via previous NHS experience. Trainees are currently paid as employees of Taunton and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, and all course related travel expenses are paid. All Programme fees are paid by South Central SHA (Strategic Health Authority).
Overseas applicants are not considered unless they are relocating to the UK, and would need to meet the criteria noted in Entry Requirements above. Currently we do not accept self-funded applicants.
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It is expected that Trainees attend all teaching sessions, and are also required to complete a specified number of days on placement.
The Programme adopts an adult learning philosophy in which self directed learning is emphasised and facilitated via workshops, lectures and seminars. The Programme involves four teaching blocks over the first two years of training, as well as regular teaching days during clinical placements. The third year of teaching is largely dedicated to specialist advanced topics (arranged in consultation with the trainee group). To assist with theory-practice learning, teaching blocks occur prior to related clinical placements, and link to the client groups that the trainee is about to encounter. In order to make clinical sense of the teaching, the first three teaching blocks are preceded by a one or two week observation period.
Skills, competencies and knowledge in the clinical areas are assessed by essays, reports of clinical activity, and small scale research/audit.
The curriculum is constantly under review to reflect a contemporary knowledge base. Currently it comprises units that cover Adult work (including Mental Health, Older Adults and Physical Health), Child and Adolescence, Learning Disabilities, and a specialist unit reflecting Advanced Skills and Specialist Client groups. Clinical research is included in the postgraduate research teaching provided for all postgraduate students within the School (students have Postgraduate Research status as well as Postgraduate Taught status); funding is available to support trainee research projects. Within the clinical teaching units a range of psychological theories, models, clinical skills and competencies are covered. Professional issues and practice are addressed throughout the Programme.
Clinical placements in Years 1 and 2 are in the clinical areas of Adult work (including Mental and Physical Health, and Older Adults), Children and Adolescents, and people with Learning Disability. Year 3 consists of a dedicated research "placement" linked to completing aspects of the research dissertation (three months) and then a final eight month clinical placement. This final specialist placement is negotiated with the Placement Co-ordinator and may be influenced by identified gaps in the trainee's clinical log and/or student preference. A wide range of specialist placements is available (eg psychosis, specialist psychotherapies, eating disorders, forensic psychology). Most placements require some travelling, and it is a great advantage if you have your own means of transport. Placements are visited and monitored in line with accreditation guidelines. On average, placements are of 3½ days per week, including provision for academic and clinical assignments (outside of the teaching blocks).
Research training begins with the small scale project in Year 1 building to the main dissertation project (Years 2 and 3). Trainees are encouraged to follow research areas of potential supervisors in the School of Psychology (often linked to research groups within the School), and to some extent their own interests, subject to available supervision; and there is emphasis and support for research topics and methods which are applicable within clinical contexts. Training includes: identifying a research problem; reviewing the relevant literature; choosing an appropriate research design; gaining access to respondents and ethical approval; carrying out data collection; analysing data; and writing up the dissertation. Trainees receive both academic and clinical supervision, to ensure that they approach clinically-relevant problems in an appropriate manner.
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The final degree is awarded subject to satisfactory performance in the clinical, academic and research components of the Programme, as outlined in the Programme Regulations. All of these three aspects are evaluated formally within a continuous assessment system.
In addition to the formal assessments for the purposes of the degree, the Programme monitors the performance of trainees throughout training. Trainees are visited on their placements, and meet with a member of the Programme team for annual appraisals. Other appraisals and reviews of work can be arranged, should it be necessary.
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All trainees are encouraged to select a Mentor, normally an NHS clinical psychologist, independent of the Programme team, who acts in a confidential support capacity over the three years. Trainees are encouraged to meet their Mentor throughout training, and are able to take time during placement to do this.
Trainees have structured time for peer group support meetings, and Year Tutor Groups built into the academic programme and participate in a reflective group in their first/third year. All trainees have a team Clinical Tutor, who monitors their progress throughout training. The University also offers a range of personal support services to all students (Counselling service, Learning Difficulties Centre etc).
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Dr Thérèse Allan - Academic Director
Mrs Linda Booth - Academic Administrator (Selection and Placements)
Dr Catherine Brignell - Teaching Fellow
Dr Tony Brown - Academic Tutor
Mr Peter Elliott - Programme Director
Dr Matt Garner - Research Director
Ms Alison Gold - Clinical Director
Dr George Johnson - Clinical/Admissions Tutor
Dr Nick Maguire - Clinical Tutor/Deputy Director, Diploma in Cognitive Therapy
Dr Fionnuala McKiernan - Clinical Director
Mrs Barbara Pack - Academic Administrator
Dr Angharad Rudkin - Clinical/Academic Tutor
Dr Lusia Stopa - Senior Lecturer in Clinical Psychology/Director, Diploma in Cognitive Therapy
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