PSY425 Targeted environmental therapy

The course is connected to the following study programs

• Master's programme in Psychosocial health
• Mileu therapeutical interventions, Continuing Education

Teaching language

Norwegian

Course contents

The environmental therapy involves different ways of facilitating the environment in order to achieve behavioral change. The purpose is to assist people who need to practice skills or who have behaviors that limit or prevent them from participating in society. The perspective is contextual and looks at human behavior in the context of causes, consequences and motivational changes that are revealed through functional analyzes. The focus is on research-supported strategies such as differential amplification procedures, the influence of motivational events and functional communication training as an alternative to more restrictive interventions. Practicing skills is based on the discovery of motivation and the use of assistive techniques such as shaping, model learning, rule control and prompt fading. There will also be a focus on technology as support in these processes. The framework behind the change work is problem solving based on working models that use research elements such as baseline, N = 1 design and monitoring of change work to ensure quality and professionally-based decision-making structure. The course will provide theoretical knowledge and skills training in the components. Ethical issues will be raised for reflection in all parts of the environmental therapeutic work.

The course consists of three parts:

1. Basic module

2. Competence and coping

3. Reduction of challenging behavior

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the course, the student will:

• have in-depth knowledge of and be able to use the field´s scientific framework to assess and plan measures through mapping, analysis and documentation

• have advanced knowledge of interventions, therapies, measures and forms of interaction within targeted environmental therapy

• have advanced knowledge of quality of life

• have advanced knowledge of individual plan

• be able to map and analyze specific challenges for the user based on different models of understanding functional impairment

• have advanced knowledge and planning skills related to different approaches in targeted environmental therapy

• be able to analyze the academic, professional ethics and research ethical issues within targeted environmental therapy, and apply this in the choice of intervention / measures / treatment form / form of interaction

• be able to contribute to innovation in environmental therapeutic work

Examination requirements

Compulsory work requirements:
Participation in compulsory parts of the teaching. In addition, approved passing tests are required.

See course brochure for further description.

Teaching methods

The teaching is session-based. The sessions will include a combination of lectures, group work, seminars and exercises. Work and self-study must be expected between the sessions. It is compulsory teaching in the course. Estimated student workload is 405 hours.

Evaluation

The study programme manager, in consultation with the student representative, decides the method of evaluation and whether the courses will have a midterm- or end of term evaluation, see also the Quality System, section 4.1. Information about evaluation method for the course will be posted on Canvas.

Offered as Single Standing Module

Yes. Subject to availability or capacity.

Assessment methods and criteria

A 4-hour individual written examination.
See detailed description in the course brochure.
Graded assessment.