Introduction

The Programme at Salomons, Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU), aims to train clinical psychologists to work in mental health services in a way which ensures that they make a real difference to both services and individuals.  The three year, full-time taught Doctoral Programme seeks to integrate clinical, academic and research aspects of training to promote the highest quality of professional practice.  The Programme fulfils the standards of education and training required by the UK Health Professions Council (HPC) and successful completion of the Programme ensures that trainees are eligible to apply for registration with the HPC as a Clinical Psychologist.  Additionally the Programme is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS); trainees are eligible to apply for Chartered Membership of the Society upon successful completion. 

The Doctoral Programme underwent formal scrutiny from the HPC, BPS and the University in March 2011. It received full approval and accreditation with several commendations, notably for the design of its new programme, operational from October 2011. This was described as being at “the leading edge in relation to NHS priorities”.  Additional commendations were received for the Programme’s quality management, and use of academic assessments which were seen as meaningfully reflecting the professional practice of clinical psychology.  Service user involvement was singled out as an example of national best practice.

The model adopted within Salomons conceptualises the clinical psychologist as a critical, reflective, scientist-practitioner.  This means training clinical psychologists who are both able to use the best available knowledge and skills, and able to reflect on and critically evaluate their own, the profession’s and wider society’s influence on services and practice. The Programme reflects a wide range of therapeutic models and provides exposure to the theoretical and research underpinnings, and practical application, of at least six mainstream psychological models (lifespan developmental, community, systemic, psychodynamic, cognitive and behavioural).  In addition the Programme gives high priority to providing trainees with frameworks to help them work in multi-cultural communities and to use culturally sensitive ways of developing psychological services.

Programme Structure

The programme seeks to produce capable practitioners; that is, clinical psychologists who can adapt their skills and use them effectively in unique and complex situations. To achieve this we believe that a core foundation of basic competencies needs to be established; these are then re-visited and expanded upon throughout the programme. Underpinning the development of all these competencies is a fundamental commitment to a biopsychosocial understanding of human development, and its challenges, across the lifespan. This model is seen as a helpful contextual framework for understanding psychological difficulties and their relationship to biological, social, cultural and spiritual factors. This perspective is seen as complimentary to traditional frameworks of knowledge and is viewed as an important aspect of person-centred psychological formulation.

Year One
During year one trainees are expected to gain experience working with adults across a whole range of potential specialities and to build up core clinical and therapeutic skills.  All clinical experience is supervised, and whilst each trainee will have a named main supervisor she/he may well receive supervision from other supervisors across the year. The academic programme parallels the clinical experience such that the teaching focuses on working with adults in different contexts and develops core clinical skills across a range of therapeutic approaches.

Year Two
Year two involves gaining experience within services for children and adolescents, and people with learning disabilities.  This will involve working with a wider range of clients and with other services and multidisciplinary teams.  During this year the academic programme focuses on the development of advanced clinical competencies in working with families and systems.  

Year Three
In year three trainees move again to develop more experience working with older people and gaining supplementary specialist experience.  During this year the focus lies on the development of more advanced clinical competencies and further development of skills in relation to working with teams and organisations.  The academic programme in year three complements these developments with teaching on working with older people and on more specialist, integrative and advanced topics.  Various teaching pathways have been introduced in the third year, which allow trainees to choose between a range of teaching options. These may include options that focus on the development of particular specialist skills in a chosen therapeutic modality (e.g. CBT) or in teaching that focuses on specialist areas (such as consultancy). The options available in the final year are reviewed yearly, and have been designed to allow the Programme to respond flexibly to changing interests and service needs.

Teaching on research occurs throughout the three years.

Assessment

All trainees register for the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (D.Clin.Psychol.) with Canterbury Christ Church University.  The Doctoral Programme uses a continuous assessment system, which includes the formal assessment of clinical, research and academic competence.  In addition to successfully undertaking clinical placements, trainees must also pass a number of academic submissions. 

 ·         6 Evaluations of Clinical Competence (formally completed by Clinical Supervisors on the placement)

·         1 Clinical Portfolio which consists of two assessments a) Evidence for Intervention Review and b) Basic therapeutic and professional skills assessment, which includes a tape and a transcript of a therapeutic session followed by a clinical viva.

·         3 Professional Practice Reports demonstrating trainees’ clinical competencies across a range of client groups.

·         1 Quality Improvement Project.

·         1 Team Policy Report and group presentation.

·         1 Critical Review of research literature.

·         A Major Research Project (comprising a Literature Review, a Research Report submitted in Journal format, and a Critical Appraisal).

For more information on the programme, entry requirements, selection procedure, funding and support please see the departmental webpages - Information for Applicants

Further information about Clinical Psychology can be obtained from:
The BPS
St Andrews House
48 Princess Road East
Leicester
LE1 7DR

Applied Psychology Website