Last modified: 10 Feb 2026 12:16
A key element of Doctoral-level competence in counselling and psychotherapy comprises the ability to work effectively with clients who have complex difficulties. Working with clients who have complex problems is demanding for therapists, because it transcends established therapy procedures, and calls for a high level of innovativeness, flexibility, resourcefulness, and use of supervision. This course explores how therapeutic complexity has been understood and addressed within contemporary research and practice literature, supporting students in responding to the specific patterns of complexity that they encounter with their practice.
| Study Type | Postgraduate | Level | 6 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term | Second Term | Credit Points | 30 credits (15 ECTS credits) |
| Campus | Aberdeen | Sustained Study | No |
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Advanced practitioners of counselling and psychotherapy are expected to be able to work effectively with clients who have complex and longstanding difficulties, including being able to support less experienced colleagues who may be faced with such clients. In some cases, complexity may be reflected in a personal struggle to deal with multiple psychological difficulties, for example co-occurring depression, trauma and addiction. In other situations, complexity may be associated with the existence of social disadvantage, or physical disability or health conditions, alongside psychological issues. Complexity may also arise if a client has previously undergone several unsuccessful therapies or is receiving help from multiple agencies.
The aim of this course is to enable participants to develop confidence and competence around their ability to work effectively with clients who have complex problems. Lectures and workshops will explore what pluralistic practitioners can learn from how complexity has been addressed within long-established therapy traditions, in particular psychodynamic psychotherapy and CBT. There will also be exploration of how complexity is approached in team-based approaches, such as DBT and therapeutic communities, and situations in which counsellors and psychotherapists work alongside colleagues from other professions. A further aspect of the course will be how therapists can respond effectively to ruptures and threats within the therapeutic alliance, and the personal emotional costs of this type of work. By the end of the course, students assemble their own pluralistic approach to working with complexity, including an appraisal of the limits of their competence and future learning needs.
Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 100 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
Word Count: 5,000 A reflexive portfolio in which the student identifies the type(s) of complex cases with which they are working, or expect to be working, and document their competence and preparedness for engaging in this dimension of practice, in terms of theoretical understanding, skills and knowledge, and supervision and support. The portfolio should include evidence based on client outcomes and feedback, and consultative dialogue with colleagues. Preparation for this portfolio will be ongoing throughout the course drawing on intervention training, practice experience and personal reflection and facilitated discussions. Students will be prompted to complete portfolio elements throughout the course via Blackboard and these will be subject to tutor and peer-feedback. Client and independent supervisor feedback elements will be recorded from practice |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Apply | Apply advanced skills in a range of therapeutic interventions for moderate to severe mental health problems |
| Conceptual | Understand | Understand and recognise the appropriate use of a range of advanced theoretical concepts associated with therapy practice |
| Procedural | Evaluate | Conceptualise individual counselling clients within their socio-cultural and systemic context and evaluate the impact of advanced therapeutic interventions |
| Reflection | Evaluate | Identify appropriate therapeutic responses to clients in distress through collaborative effort |
There are no assessments for this course.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 100 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 49 | Feedback Weeks | 52 | |
| Feedback |
Word Count: 5,000 Written feedback will be provided by tutors, for the resit this will reflect the development plan provided following the first submission |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Understand | Understand and recognise the appropriate use of a range of advanced theoretical concepts associated with therapy practice |
| Conceptual | Apply | Apply advanced skills in a range of therapeutic interventions for moderate to severe mental health problems |
| Reflection | Evaluate | Identify appropriate therapeutic responses to clients in distress through collaborative effort |
| Procedural | Evaluate | Conceptualise individual counselling clients within their socio-cultural and systemic context and evaluate the impact of advanced therapeutic interventions |
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