Doctorate in Clinical Psychology

Course Content

The DClinPsy programme is competency based and conforms to the accreditation criteria of the British Psychological Society. It has three main components: University based academic teaching, service based practice learning, and clinically relevant research. Course Structure
The Doctorate in Clinical Psychology is delivered on a full-time basis over three years.
University based teaching takes place over two semesters: the first (September to January) is based at the University of Lincoln, the second (February to June) is based at the University of Nottingham´s Institute of Work, Health and Organisations. Practice learning takes place throughout the year and is based at placements in services in Derbyshire, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire. Research is conducted throughout the programme leading to the completion of a doctoral thesis at the beginning of the third year and the completion of a small scale research project at the end of the third year of training. Modules
Individual Client InterventionsThis module provides students with the theoretical foundations for conducting interventions with individual clients, including an understanding of the nature of clinical problems and the interventions used to bring about change. Research Design and ImplementationStudents will be introduced to the main study designs used in applied psychology and will be introduced to practical aspects of conducting research in health care settings.Research ProjectThis module will provide students with an opportunity to design and conduct an empirical study in clinical psychology. The written report will provide training for preparing manuscripts for submission for publication.Professional SkillsThis module introduces students to the theoretical foundations and key skills that will be needed for the first clinical placement.Groups, Families and Indirect WorkThis module introduces students to the theoretical foundations of working with larger units, such as families, couples and groups, and the nature of problems for which such interventions will be applied. It also considers working indirectly through others, such as care staff, and in multi-disciplinary teams.Systems and OrganisationsThis module considers the organisational context within which clinical psychologists work. This has particular emphasis on the NHS, but also includes social services, schools and prisons.Topics in Clinical PsychologyThis module introduces students to specialised areas of clinical practice. It provides the theoretical background as well as ways in which assessment, formulation and intervention has to be adapted in some client groups. This includes the problems of people with dual diagnosis and complex cases. Further Developments in Therapeutic ApproachesThis module will aim to integrate teaching from earlier modules and to provide opportunity for developing specialist knowledge of specific interventions with specific client groups. It will also include a personal and professional development component.Core Placement AThis module provides students with training in the practical skills required for working with families, groups and indirectly through others.Core Placement BThis module provides students with the practical training required for working in the NHS and in other complex organisations, such as schools, social services and prisons.Specialist PlacementThis module provides an opportunity to work within a specialist area of clinical psychology and to work at advanced level with complex cases.Final PlacementThis module provides opportunity for completing all components required for accreditation purposes.Research Analysis and DisseminationThis module will introduce students to statistical techniques which are particularly important in applied research in healthcare settings and to consider ways of disseminating and promoting ideas developed through research.Research Project DesignThis module will provide students with an opportunity to design and conduct an empirical study in clinical psychology. The written report will provide training for preparing manuscripts for submission for publication.Research Project ImplementationThis module will provide students with an opportunity to conduct an empirical study in clinical psychology. Small Scale Research ProjectThis module will provide students with an opportunity to design and conduct a service evaluation study in clinical psychology. The written report will provide training for preparing manuscripts for submission for publication.Foundation Placement AThis module is designed to enable students to put into practice the basic skills learned in the theoretical and skills training modules. It will include observations of clinical assessment, formulation, intervention and evaluation to gain an understanding of the breadth of work in clinical psychology. Students will receive training in basic competency skills and then proceed to individual client work.Foundation Placement B