Accessibility statement

Child & Adolescent Mental Health - PSY00089M

« Back to module search

  • Department: Psychology
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2022-23

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Autumn Term 2022-23

Module aims

This module looks to provide an overview of the range of clinical presentations seen within a typical child and adolescent mental health community service (CAMHS).  Taught by a former Consultant Clinical Psychologist within CAMHS, students will consider the role of the Clinical Psychologist in assessing and therapeutically supporting children, young people and their families and explore what it means to deliver evidence based practice within a multidisciplinary team.  It will include formal teaching seminars and small group based activities using relevant anonymised case material.  Whilst students will deepen their theoretical knowledge, there will also be an emphasis upon discussing and building professional skills and competencies.  This module would best suitable students wishing to learn more about working with vulnerable children and their families, and those considering a career in clinical or educational psychology.

Module learning outcomes

  • Understand the role of the Clinical Psychologist in CAMHS and the complexity and challenges faced when delivering services within difficult contexts
  • Establish a developing knowledge of professional skills and competencies that are important when working in the caring profession   
  • Critically evaluate the impact of evidence based practice for a range of presenting needs in children and adolescents
  • Explore a range of theoretical approaches to working with children and their families and demonstrate an awareness of the factors to consider when choosing how best to offer support

Module content

  • Understanding referral pathways.
  • Key therapeutic approaches and skills that inform assessment, formulation and therapeutic interventions.
  • Typical disorders of early childhood.
  • Typical disorders of middle childhood.
  • Typical disorders of adolescence.
  • Working with trauma, loss and vulnerability.
  • Theoretical models that inform practice.
  • The importance of Endings. 

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 40
Online Exam -less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled) 60

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 40
Online Exam -less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled) 60

Module feedback

The marks on all assessed work will be provided on e-vision.

Indicative reading

Essential Reading:

Young Children's Personal, Social and Emotional Development by Marion Dowling, SAGE.

The Handbook of Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychology, A Contextual Approach.  Alan Carr.  Routledge.

Recommended Reading:

Clinical Child Psychology: Social Learning, Development and Behaviour. Martin Herbert.  Wiley Series in Clinical Psychology

An Introduction to Family Therapy, systemic theory and practice.  Rudi Dallos and Ros Draper.  Open University Press

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Children and Families.  Philip Graham.  Cambridge University Press


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.