EVIDENCE BASED PSYCHOLOGICAL INTERVENTIONS - 2026/7

Module Overview

This module will provide students with knowledge and theory of the evidence based Psychological Interventions applied in mental health settings in the United Kingdom. The module will focus on Cognitive Behavioral and Systemic approaches; with 3rd wave therapies such as Mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment therapy and Compassion Focused Therapy also explored. Students will develop skill in critical appraisal of these models when applied to the treatment of mental health conditions, considering their parallels and key differences. Finally, students will be provided with the opportunity to develop basic skills in these approaches through self-practice and self-reflection.

Module provider

Psychology

Module Leader

CROUCH Emma (Psychology)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

Module cap (Maximum number of students): 50

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None

Module content

• The module will present an overview of how mental health disorders are treated in mental health services in the UK.
• Frequently administered evidence based psychological interventions will be presented, considering how and when these would be applied in a clinical setting. 
• Critical analysis of the therapeutic models will be presented and discussed. 
• There will be opportunities to develop basic skills in the application of these psychological interventions through self-practice and self-reflection.

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

None

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to replicate the thinking process required for evidence-based decision making in clinical practice. To achieve this, students will be provided with the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of evidence based psychological interventions and critically evaluate how these can be applied in the treatment of mental health conditions commonly experienced in the United Kingdom.The assessment strategy is designed to:

• Assess ability to apply knowledge and theory of evidence-based psychological interventions to clinical cases.
• Assess ability to critically evaluate and reflect upon the application of evidence based psychological interventions, considering their parallels and differences.
• Demonstrate an ability to synthesis knowledge to establish conclusions about the appropriateness of different evidence based psychological interventions on mental health problems.
• Develop basic skills in the application of evidence based clinical skills such as case conceptualisation.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:Summative assessment for this module will consist of written case report. Students will be provided with a vignette of a typical mental health presentation and required to critically evaluate the application of evidence-based interventions synthesising their understanding of the literature to draw conclusions about the approaches that could be taken in a clinical setting. This addresses outcomes 1,2,3,4Formative assessment:The formative assignment for this module will require students to engage in an online discussion board, reflecting on their experience of engaging with CBT and Systemic based clinical skills. Students will be given the opportunity to engage with the skills in lectures and workshops. The students will be required to critically evaluate their experience, considering the strength and limitations of the models, drawing on the literature to make sense of their experience. Feedback from lectures and peers will support the development of critical analysis of the techniques, and the delivery of balanced feedback; a skill required for real world clinical practice.Addresses learning outcome 1, 2, 3, 4, 5Feedback:Students will be provided with feedback in several ways through formative and summative assignments, class discussion and workshops. Feedback will be provided in both written and verbal forms from lecturers and peers.

Module aims

• Develop knowledge about how mental health disorders are treated in the UK mental health system.
• Develop knowledge in evidence based psychological interventions including Cognitive Behavioral, Systemic, and 3rd wave approaches.
• Develop skill in the critical evaluation of evidence-based psychological interventions and their application to commonly experienced mental health disorders.
• Provide students with practical experience of applying evidence based psychological methods, such as case conceptualization, through self-practice and self-reflection.
• Support students' knowledge and understanding of the mechanisms of change applied by different evidence based psychological interventions.
• Engage in self-practice and self-reflection to develop an understanding of what it is to practice and experience psychological intervention.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:The teaching and learning strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to acquire knowledge and develop skills emerging from this knowledge. This is aimed to support students to develop skills in resourcefulness and resilience by promoting the sustainability of mental health and welling being in themselves and others, should they pursue future employment or study in the felids of mental health or clinical psychology.Teaching will be delivered over six full days. Each of these days will include the following learning and teaching opportunities: self-directed study and lectures to develop knowledge and critically evaluate this, directly followed by workshops and seminars to support the application of this knowledge to real world clinical scenarios. These teaching days will be delivered over four weeks in semester two. This condensed teaching structure will support students to make direct theory to practice links as well as support the development of good and trusting working relationships with peers to enable them to develop confidence to try new skills and gain direct feedback from lecturers to address their learning development needs. The learning and teaching methods include:A combination of lectures, class discussion, workshops and group exercises. Lectures will support students to acquire the relevant knowledge, with class discussion and group exercises aimed to support the critical evaluation of this knowledge when applied to mental health settings. Additionally in class exercises and workshops, will support the development of basic skills in evidence-based psychological interventions through lecturer and peer feedback. This will be supplemented by self-study and independent self-practice, and self-reflection.

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: PSYM183

Other information

The school/department of Psychology is committed to developing graduates with strengths in Employability, Digital Capabilities, Global and Cultural Capabilities, Sustainability, and Resourcefulness and Resilience. This module is designed to allow students to develop knowledge, skills, and capabilities in the following areas:

Digital capabilities:

Students will be expected to access and utilize resources on Surrey Learn, which tutors can monitor via the Surrey Engagement tool as well as use poll everywhere, Kahoot, word wall and Padlet. Tutors will provide opportunities to watch videos, listen to audios resources, and podcasts to diversify learning opportunities and enhance engagement.  The modules formative assignment will take place on Surrey learn discussion board, using the digital facility to receive feedback from peers and lecturers.

Employability:

This module is aimed at developing a foundation understanding of the knowledge and skills that are required to pursue a career in the mental health sector. Through knowledge acquisition, and skills development, students will be better equipped to engage in further post graduate courses in the pursuit of employment as a therapist or Psychologist or to move straight to employment in mental health services. Lectures and workshops have been developed to facilitate frequent opportunities for feedback from lectures and peers. The assignments are designed to replicate the decision making that may be undertaken in real world mental health setting, providing necessary skills for employment.

Global and cultural capabilities:

Although the focus of this module is of psychological interventions applied in Uk setting, students will be encouraged to critique these modals considering their application to different cultures and areas of diversity.

Resourcefulness and Resilience:

This module particularly focuses on student resilience and resourcefulness. The self-practice and self-reflection elements of the session directly helps to support trainees' well-being, by developing skills that may help them to identify, and work with beliefs and or behaviors which might be unhelpful or unhealthy for them both personally and professionally.
Sustainability:

The module aims to support students to understand how the critical evaluation and application of a variety of psychological interventions can lead to the sustainability of mental health and wellbeing of the population. All coursework is submitted in digital from, and all resources will be accessible through Surreylearn.

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2026/7 academic year.