MIA form ready for submission

The first step in getting approval for a new course at UWE is to submit a Market Intelligence Analysis, i.e. to demonstrate that there is a viable market for the course.

Having identified that we have the necessary range of expertise available, we have now completed the market analysis.  We were helped in this by recent surveys showing that 25% of counselling psychologists would like to see training developed in this area.

We hope to submit the MIA and get it approved by christmas.  Then we can move onto the next stage which is developing the course documentation.

I'll report back here once we hear back from the programme approval panel.

What is Counselling Neuropsychology?

Counselling neuropsychology is founded in the discipline of counselling psychology.  It therefore inherits a humanistic value base and a respect for the phenomenology of the client.  Practitioners combine an in-depth knowldege of neuropsychology and the psychological effects of neurological conditions, with experience of providing a deeply facilitating theraputic relationship.  They can thus help clients face the intense challenges posed by their conditions (Judd and Wilson, 1999, Khan-Bourne and Brown, 2003, Langer, 1992).  Their neuropsychological expertise enables them to adapt the conditions of psychotherapy to the unique requirements of the client (Laatsch, 1999). 

One of the ways therefore that counselling neuropsychology may differ from other areas of neuropsychological practice is a deep respect for the client, and a collaborative approach to theraputic work.  When conducting assessments for example, the question at the forefront of the counselling neuropsychologist's mind is likely to be "how will this benefit my client".

Judd, D.P.,  Wilson, S.L. (1999). Brain injury and identity--the role of counselling psychologists.   Counselling Psychology Review, 14, 4-16.

Khan-Bourne, N., Brown, R.G., (2003).  Cognitive behaviour therapy for the treatment of depression in individuals with brain injury.  Neuropsychological Rehabilitation, 13, 89-107.

Laatsch, L.  Application of cognitive rehabilitation techniques in psychotherapy.  Chapter in  Langer, K.G., Laatsch, L., Lewis, L. (eds.) (1999).  Psychotherapeutic interventions for adults with brain injury or stroke: A clinicians treatment resource. Madison: Psychosocial Press.

Langer, K.G. (1992). Psychotherapy with the neuropsychologically impaired adult.  American Journal of Psychotherapy, 46, 620-639.

Introduction

This blog has been created to discuss issues in counselling neuropsychology. It will also be used to give regular updates on the development of the new MSc in Counselling Neuropsychology at the University of the West of England.