Professional & Ethical Issues module (GM51058)

This module will outline relevant professional codes, standards, and legislation that apply to psychological therapists. In classes, you will discuss common professional and ethical dilemmas which affect psychologists in clinical practice and you will implement them in your practice on placement. This is crucial to the delivery of safe and effective care for people accessing services.

What you will learn

In this module, you will:

• learn about professional practice including informed consent, confidentiality and data protection principles, record-keeping, and communication
• learn about equality, diversity, boundaries, competence and fitness to practice
• ensure client's welfare and keep their best interest at heart

By the end of this module, you should be:   

• familiar with, and follow the code of ethics and conduct for psychologists of the British Psychological Society and standards of other relevant bodies (e.g. HCPC, BABCP, NHS)  
• aware of a range of ethical dilemmas which psychologists delivering therapy might encounter in everyday clinical practice  
• able to differentiate between appropriate and inappropriate behaviours when a therapist encounters ethical challenges  
• able to demonstrate therapist strategies which promote appropriate professional and ethical behaviour

Assignments / assessment

• Observed Structured Clinical Interview (100%)

This module does not have a final exam.

Teaching methods / timetable

Teaching is provided through a combination of in-person, clinical supervision sessions (weekly), taught workshops and online e-learning modules.

The learning will be supported class discussion and live Q&A sessions.