University of Surrey

Training commences with a mandatory six-week teaching block that offers induction into the Trust and the profession, and experiential therapy skills training in preparation for the first placement. All trainees need to attend this teaching block and annual leave is not permitted during this time.

The three main components of the course are:

• clinical placements
• teaching units
• research

Clinical placements

Our placements focus on developing the full breadth of clinical competencies in a variety of settings, including inpatient services, community and recovery teams, schools and forensic services.

The placements focus on development of clinical competencies working with people across the lifespan, including adults, children and families, older people and people with learning disabilities. Trainees also undertake a final year specialist placement. 

In addition to development of competencies working across these clinical settings, trainees are provided with placement opportunities which encourage development of a broader range of competencies to equip them to work as Clinical Psychologists, including working within multidisciplinary teams, leadership skills and supervision.

Throughout the three years of training, trainees have regular opportunities to link theory and practice through placement supervision, discussions within small personal and professional development groups, problem-based learning exercises and regular meetings with their tutors and mentor. These discussions also provide important opportunities for reflection, personal and professional learning, exploration of difference and diversity, and the transferability of clinical competencies across placements. 

Placement days are scheduled on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Study time relating to academic work and clinical work is allocated within the timetable. 

Assessment of clinical competence is completed via written and oral reports of clinical activity, supervisor evaluation on placement, and placement log-books.

Teaching

The programme endorses active, reflective methods of teaching and learning. Teaching is structured into the units and sub-units detailed below, and these are designed to be delivered across the three years of training in a way that supports trainees to gradually broaden and deepen their skills, knowledge, and understanding in the domains required of qualified clinical psychologists.

Core concepts, skills, and processes 

Lifespan developmental issues

• Children, young people, and families
• Adults in later life
• People with learning disabilities
• Long-term conditions
• Working age adults

Neuropsychology

Clinical interventions

• Cognitive behavioural therapy
• Systemic approaches
• Community psychology

Research

• Major research project
• Research methods
• Service-related project

Leadership & followership

Reflective practice

Assessment

Assessment is undertaken through both formative and summative assignments in a variety of formats including clinical skills assessments, problem-based learning exercises, reflective accounts, and written and oral presentations of clinical work.

The emphasis on formative feedback is to support trainees to gain the appropriate level of engagement with the material as there is a recognition that moving from an undergraduate or masters to doctorate level requires some adjustment. 

We do not currently use exams to evaluate performance.

All assignments should demonstrate ability for critical and reflexive thinking, knowledge of psychological theories and their application to practice, as well as an understanding of clinical and professional issues.

Secondary Accreditation

All trainees will complete an academic course as part of the Doctorate that will confer Foundation accreditation with the Association of Family Therapy.

Optional Pathways

Cognitive behavioural therapy:

leading to a secondary accreditation with the British Association of Cognitive and Behavioural Psychotherapy.

Clinical Neuropsychology:

which can provide up to a year dispensation from the Postgraduate Diploma In Clinical Neuropsychology at Bristol, which on qualification supports the graduate to join the British Psychological Society’s (BPS) Specialist Register of Clinical Neuropsychologists.

Assignments

Across the three years of training, Trainees will undertake a variety of assignments, both formatively and summatively assessed. Whilst details change, these broadly span reports of clinical activity, psychometric practice/interpretation/write-up, awareness of research methodologies, service evaluation/audit, presentations, literature reviews and empirical studies.

Research

Assessment of research competencies is summarised above. The research portfolio includes either an evidence or theoretical literature review and an empirical paper, or two empirical papers. This body of work should demonstrate research skills at doctoral level showing the required level of competency and innovation. The Major Research Project must include original work judged to constitute a contribution to knowledge or practice, demonstrated by the discovery of new knowledge or by the exercise of independent critical judgment. Progress for research is assessed by six-month research reviews and formatively by research presentations. The research portfolio is assessed by viva voce (oral) examination at the end of the three years.

Trainees are supported in their research by supervisory expertise within the clinical team, across the research-oriented school of psychology and by field supervisors working in NHS clinical settings. A particular strength of our programme is that we work in partnership with "experts by experience", NHS service providers, mental health professionals, third sector organisations, schools and arts organisations, to enable sustainable and effective change in service provision and directly benefit those experiencing distress and their families, carers and loved ones. Our research brings to the fore the lived experiences and voices of those who experience mental distress, their families and carers, and the professionals who seek to deliver effective and compassionate services under constrained conditions (limited and re-prioritising of funding, staff shortages, institutional restraints and hostile work cultures).

The clinical psychology team have a diverse range of research interests, theoretical expertise and methodological competencies with particular strengths in: developing and evaluating interventions for those who are at risk of, or are experiencing, mental health difficulties related to physical health conditions, and their families; understanding experiences of mental distress, accessing/lack of access to services, and improving access to therapy for marginalised groups; supporting mental health across the lifespan (from perinatal mental health to older adults, aging and dementia). In addition to trial and experimental design utilising mixed methodology, the clinical team has expertise in longitudinal surveys, qualitative and quantitative evidence synthesis, the design, development and psychometric evaluation of patient reported outcome measures, innovative and arts-based qualitative methods and mixed methodologies.
 

Teaching Structure

YEAR ONE

YEAR TWO

YEAR THREE