Duration

1 year

Monitoring Method

Full-time

Language of Delivery

Greek

Start Date

October 2024

Location

Online, from distance

Description

The MSc Clinical Psychology and Mental Health will equip you with a high level of understanding of the theory and practice of Clinical Psychology in healthcare settings, preparing you for professional clinical training at doctoral level. You will study key topics such as eating disorders, psychopathy, neuropsychology and psychotherapy, alongside basic statistical and research methods.

Throughout your studies, you will improve your critical research and analytical skills in relation to clinical psychology practice.

The Clinical Psychology and Mental Health MSc provides an in-depth understanding of psychological theories, practices and research methodologies. It equips students with advanced knowledge in areas such as psychopathology, psychotherapy and psychological assessment, enabling them to apply these concepts effectively in clinical settings.

The programme is offered in partnership with Swansea University, which is ranked 20th in the UK on research by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022 as well as being ranked 25th in the UK University Rankings by the Guardian University Guide 2024.

Objectives of the programme

  • At IST College, you will receive a comprehensive and in-depth exploration of Clinical Psychology, guided by academics and clinical practitioners who bring a wealth of experience from both a theoretical and practical perspective. 
  • Learning from experienced practitioners can provide you with insights into the latest practice, research findings and theoretical developments in Clinical Psychology.
  • The IST College programme structure can provide excellent networking opportunities with industry professionals and alumni. 
  • Because at IST we take care to provide high quality, multi-level training as we give you the opportunity to attend accredited seminars alongside your studies at no extra cost, building not only a strong resume, but gaining practical knowledge.

Structure of the Programme of Studies

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This module provides an in-depth analysis of the current understanding of eating disorders (Psychogenic Anorexia, Psychogenic Bulimia, Episodic Overeating Disorder and Nocturnal Food Intake Syndrome). Key risk factors, maintenance and treatment of eating disorders are discussed. 

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES

  • To distinguish the diagnostic subcategories of eating disorders
  • Critically evaluate the theories concerning the aetiology and maintenance of eating disorders
  • Critically evaluate evidence-based treatment for eating disorders and assess the outcomes
  • Critically evaluate the evidence on the inclusion of obesity in the spectrum of eating disorders

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This module examines competing and complementary theories of the etiology of psychoses and options for biological and psychosocial treatment.

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES

  • Critically evaluate competing and complementary theories of the etiology of psychosis.
  • Critically evaluate the relative strengths and weaknesses of biological and psychosocial treatment options.
  • Articulate and critically evaluate the value of the antipsychiatric movement and its philosophical basis.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Psychopathy is a serious personality disorder closely associated with violence and antisocial behaviour. This module covers the measurement of psychopathy, the aetiology of psychopathic traits and models of psychopathic behaviour from a biopsychosocial perspective.

Sexual assault is a major social problem. The module will examine how deviant sexual interests can occur and how these can be measured. It will discuss the issues of risk assessment of sexual offenders and the management/treatment of offenders.

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES

You will learn about key issues in the development of the most prevalent personality disorders and sexual offending behaviour. The key issues that will be addressed are:

  • A general model of sexual risk
  • Etiology and treatment of pedophilia
  • Overview and general models of personality disorder etiology
  • Etiology and treatment of psychopathy/antisocial personality disorder
  • Etiology and treatment of borderline personality disorder

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This module provides a comprehensive overview of statistical methods and research designs used in applied Clinical and Health Psychology. The module examines the parameters of ethical research practice and introduces students to the basic concepts and a limited number of qualitative methods commonly used in applied psychology.

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES

  • This module will review your knowledge of the fundamental principles and applications of statistical methods and introduce more complex statistical tests (e.g., nonparametric testing, ANOVA, MANOVA, factor analysis). 
  • You will consider the application of research design with specific application in practice (e.g. single case study designs, RCTs). You will consider the principles and rationale of research ethics and be introduced to the ethics of conducting research with vulnerable groups (children, older people, people with learning disabilities etc.). 
  • You will identify debates around the development of qualitative research methods and consider the advantages/disadvantages of different methods (such as grounded theory and IPA).

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This module will examine the development, maintenance and treatment of emotional disorders along with associated trauma responses such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The module will examine these disorders from biological/genetic, social/family and psychological explanatory contexts. It will also critically review established and emerging theory-based interventions.

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES

  • Basic categorical approaches to classifying mental health conditions, with particular reference to adult emotional disturbances and post-traumatic stress disorder
  • An overview of the field of emotional and post-traumatic stress disorder – prevalence, classification, diagnostic criteria and clinical presentation
  • Theoretical models of adult emotional and post-traumatic stress disorder
  • Effectiveness of standard and emergency treatments for anxiety, mood and post-traumatic stress disorder
  • Complexities associated with therapeutic work with individuals presenting with affective disorders and posttraumatic stress disorder.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This module will give you the basic skills necessary to understand, design and carry out research in psychology, and to interpret and report research results. Skills developed in this unit include: generating research hypotheses, internal and external validity, construct validity, research methods and questionnaire design.

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES

• Critically evaluate psychological research
• Distinguish between narrative reviews, systematic reviews and meta-analysis.
• Create a research protocol, identifying and correctly applying the necessary elements.
• Justify the sample size required to achieve a reliable database.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The workshop series will provide useful information to help students adapt, transition successfully, and thrive as graduate students. The workshop series will cover a range of topics to support students’ academic, personal and professional development.

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES

  • Communication skills
  • Assessment skills
  • Personal skills
  • Organisational skills
  • Research skills

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Consisting of three parts, this self-directed eLearning module will support students to settle into college and their course, helping them focus on their goals while teaching them new skills to succeed. They will examine college life and studies, including the use of time them at college, how to take charge of their own learning and where to turn for advice, guidance and support. Students will also receive a solid foundation in some essentials
academic skills, including different learning methods to help them thrive and practical advice on developing personal and their organizational skills. It is also important that they are introduced to the core values ​​of good academic practice, such as how to demonstrate good academic integrity in their work, how to find their own voice, and different tools and strategies to avoid accidental plagiarism.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Cognitive Neuropsychology is a discipline that combines the fields of Cognitive Psychology and Clinical Neuropsychology. It involves the use of cognitive models of physiological functioning to understand cognitive impairments observed in populations with brain injury – with the aim of achieving both a detailed understanding of the profile of a case study and the appropriate intervention for the case under consideration. Students will be taught about the functional anatomy of the cerebral cortex and how this information relates to the main methods of Cognitive Neuropsychology, and will also be introduced to the key clinically based theories underpinning understanding about various neuropsychological syndromes, such as aphasia and amnesia – knowledge that guides the rehabilitation methods available for populations with brain injury and the means by which appropriate rehabilitation interventions can be selected.

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES

Students will be taught the types of cognitive disorders that can occur as a result of brain injury, their explanations through the models of Cognitive Neuropsychology and appropriate interventions and research based on case studies. This includes: 

  • An overview of the aims and approaches of the discipline of Cognitive Neuropsychology
  • Aphasia – speech deficits as a result of brain injury, interventions and theories
  • Amnesia – memory deficits as a result of brain injury, interventions and theories
  • Ignorance – visual perceptual deficits as a result of brain injury, interventions and theories
  • Executive functions – problem solving and planning deficits as a result of brain injury, interventions and theories

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This module describes the main principles and applications of behavioural psychology. It covers the key concepts underlying the approach to psychology and covers current developments in the field and their applications in clinical and educational contexts. Many of the applied examples given on behavioral intervention relate to Autism Spectrum Disorders and other developmental disorders, but other examples are given that come from adult fields. Emphasis is placed on the key components of empirically validated interventions.

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES

  • Critically evaluate the major themes and current issues in behavior analysis.
  • Critically evaluate research methods and techniques used in Behavior Analysis.
  • Critically evaluate recent published research.
  • Formulate an intervention plan.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This module deals with the psychology associated with vulnerability and protection from chronic physical illness. It then considers issues of adaptation to illness such as anxiety and coping, and psychological interventions to reduce distress and promote wellbeing.

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES

  • Critically explore the theory and evidence related to people’s vulnerability to chronic illness
  • Critically evaluate appropriate theory for understanding the motivations for health-behavior and change
  • Critically discuss psychological theory and its application to intervention in chronic health conditions
  • Critically evaluate and synthesize psychological knowledge related to the field of illness

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This module will focus on the core skills required in the practice of psychotherapy and their use in clinical contexts. It focuses on developing theory-based clinical interventions using cognitive behavioural change and third wave strategies. You will learn about the key elements of second- and third-wave cognitive behavioral therapies from both theoretical and practical perspectives. 

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES

  • To critically explore the key skills and therapist characteristics associated with positive and negative psychotherapy outcomes
  • Critically evaluate the strategies required to obtain information relevant to the configuration of a mental health problem.

The research module involves the construction and execution of a research project, usually carried out in relation to a clinical research topic.

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