WPF Therapy Certificate in Clinical Assessment
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Description
The Certificate in Clinical Assessment Skills is for counsellors and psychotherapists who want to develop their assessment knowledge and technique. The course is psychodynamic in orientation although practitioners of other models of therapy are also welcome. You should be currently engaged in clinical work and, ideally, in a position to carry out assessments in your work.
Course content
Completing the certificate will give you:
- An overview of clinical assessment theory and practice
- An understanding of the emotional impact of the assessment encounter and its implications for the work ahead
- Experience of conducting or contributing to an assessment under live supervision
- All areas will be considered in the context of carrying out formal clinical assessments in private practice and organisational settings.
Course schedule
The Certificate in Clinical Assessment Skills is an intensive course taught online and takes place over three Saturday modules.
Day 1 — Introducing assessment – Saturday 3rd June 2023
The first day will introduce you to some key clinical concepts and attitudes for best practice in psychodynamic assessment. You will look at the impact and influence of the initial assessment and explore a range of assessment skills. These include conducting a psychodynamic interview, maintaining an evaluative and therapeutic balance and making a recommendation for treatment.
Day 2 — Essential assessment skills – Saturday 10th June 2023
The second day of the course builds on the knowledge and skills gained on day one. You will learn about a range of assessment techniques, including approaches to initial contact, risk assessment and management, psychodynamic formulation skills and writing the assessment report.
Day 3a (24/06/23)- or 3b (01/07/23) — Live assessment supervision
On the third and final day, you will take part in a live supervision of clinical assessments. These assessments will be carried out by volunteers from the course. Live group supervision enables everyone to actively engage in the assessment process and consolidate learning from days one and two. There are two date options for this final day: Day 3a (24/06/23) or Day 3b (01/07/23).
Please state on your application your preference to attend on either Day 3a [24/06/23] or Day 3b [01/07/23]. We will do our best to accommodate your choice, however an indication of flexibility between the dates will be very helpful in terms of course administration. If course numbers are low WPF reserves the right to cancel one of the Day 3 options.
To present an assessment, you must be a qualified practitioner or in a supervised honorary placement. You will also need to get permission to conduct an assessment from your organisation and supervisor where necessary.
You must complete all three days of the course to receive the certificate.
Entry requirements
Open to qualified counsellors or psychotherapists or at an advanced stage of their training. Applicants must be currently engaged in clinical work and ideally in a position to carry out an assessment.
Tickets must be booked online on our Eventbrite page. Or visit our website (specialist CPD courses)
Cate Lyon, the course leader, is a psychodynamic psychotherapist trained at WPF Therapy. She is part of the Senior Management Team and Counselling Lead for a large NHS mental health service (IAPT). She works as a therapist and supervisor in private practice and has a specialist interest in brief therapeutic encounters: working at pace and depth. Cate has extensive experience in teaching and training in the field.
