Unit 7: Psychosocial

This unit looks at the role of psychology and psychoanalysis on overall health. All disease stems from the mind; Eastern medicine teaches us that the mind and body directly affect and influence one another. Modern research is proving how important the mind is in maintaining our general health.

Naturopaths need to have an understanding of the history of psychology and the different schools of thought within the psychology and psychoanalysis sector. They also need to have an understanding of how the brain influences the physical body from a modern scientific perspective and have tools at hand that they can offer to their clients in order to help deal with the various stresses that we all have to cope with.

This unit is therefore divided into two parts. The first part covers the history and basics of various psychotherapeutic models (the origins of psychotherapeutic intervention, psychotherapeutic intervention today, psychodynamic practice, humanistic practice, transpersonal practice and cognitive-behavioural practice) together with the different theories relating to the stress trauma response such as the polyvagal theory and Jungian personal theory. You will learn about the role of the therapeutic process, how to assess and relieve the stress-trauma manifestation, as well as psychotherapeutic strategies to implement in practice.

The second part covers the stress response in more detail and the impact of stress on the physical body and its role in chronic disease. You will learn how to identify and treat adrenal fatigue, how to monitor and support stress levels, the role of flower remedies and aromatherapy. The section ends with information about different constitutional types (the four temperaments of Greek medicine, Jungian personality types, Myers Briggs, David Keirsey’s personality types and the Enneagram).

Psychosocial skills Course 

Units: 1
Study Hours: 100
Credits: 10
Time: Estimated 2 months (timing up to you)
Enrolment period: 4 months (with option to extend)
Books: Purchased separately
Certification: Certificate in Psychosocial skills
Study Options: E-learning (online) or Correspondence (paper)

Aims of the course

• To provide a basic understanding of the history of psychology
• To provide a basic understanding of the different schools of thought in psychoanalysis
• To provide tools to assess stress levels in your clients
• To provide an in-depth look at the effects of emotional stress on the physical body
• To understand how stress impacts the central nervous system, endocrine system and immune system
• To introduce simple psychoneuroimmunology concepts
• To provide detailed information about adrenal fatigue: how to test for it and how to support clients suffering from it
• To understand the impact of stress upon the adrenals and thyroid glands
• To introduce various personality typing concepts

Why study Psychosocial skills?

Psychosocial skills are required in order to be a registered Naturopath. Stress is probably the most predominant factor in all disease processes and knowledge of how to help your clients deal with their stress levels is of paramount importance in any holistic medical practice. In this module you will learn about the history of psychology and the different schools of psychoanalysis that have developed in the last century, including basic information about the polyvagal theory. The second part of the module looks at the effects of stress upon our physical and emotional states in depth, including adrenal fatigue and thyroid imbalances. Tools for assessing and monitoring stress levels together with various personality typing protocols are included to enhance your skills in this area of practice.

Contents

Introduction
Part A   
1. Introduction to Part A    
                   
2. Psychotherapeutic Models
Learning objectives                            
The Origins of Psychotherapeutic Intervention                
Psychotherapeutic Intervention Today                    
Psychodynamic Practice                            
Humanistic Practice                            
Transpersonal Practice                            
Cognitive-Behavioural Practice  
                     
3. The Human Stress-Trauma Response    
Learning objectives                            
Stress-Trauma Manifestation                        
Positive and Negative Stress-Trauma Manifestation                
The Role of Perception                             
The Autonomic Nervous System                        
The Limbic System                            
The Fight-Flight-Freeze Response                       

4.  Theories of the Stress-Trauma Response            
Learning objectives                            
Polyvagal Theory                                
Type A-B-C Personality Theory                        
Jungian Personal Theory                            

5. Assessing Stress-Trauma Manifestation  
Learning objectives                            
Measuring Stress-Trauma Levels                        
Validity of Cognition Scale                            
Subjective Units of Distress Scale                        
Holmes-Rahe Life Stress Inventory                        
Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale                    
Generalized Anxiety Disorder                       
Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome                            

6.  The Therapeutic Process  
Learning objectives                            
Stress-Trauma Healing Stages                        
The Practitioner’s Role                            
The Client’s Role                                 
Client Questioning                            

7. Psychotherapeutic Treatment Strategies
Learning objectives                            
Psychotherapeutic-Counselling Principles                    
Resolving Projection and Counter-Projection                    
Resolving Transference and Counter-Transference                
Resolving Resistance and Defensive Strategies                
Resolving Psychosomatic-Psychogenic Disorders                

8. Relieving Stress-Trauma Manifestation    
Learning objectives                            
Alleviating Stress-Trauma Manifestation                    
Psychotherapeutic Intervention                        
Lifestyle Changes                                
Creative Activity                                
Meditative Practice                            
Relaxation Practice                            
Soul-Spirit Healing                             
Physical Exercise                                
Body-Oriented Therapy                            
Emotive-Healing Therapy                            
Time-Management                            
Goal Setting and Attainment                        

9.  Conclusion                             

Assessment Questions for Unit 7/Part A            

Part B     
1. Introduction to Part B  
                     
2. The Stress Response  
Learning objectives                            
The General Adaptation Syndrome (Hans Selye)                
The Concept of Adaptation Energy                         
and the Local Adaptation Syndrome                      

3. Stress: Part 1
Learning objectives:                            
PNEI                                     
Stress and the Immune System                        
Stress and Kidney Function                            
Stress and Reproduction                            
Stress and Blood Sugar                            
Stress and Digestion                            
Stress and Mineral Balance                         

4. Stress: Part 2  
Learning objectives                            
Stress and Chronic Disease                         
Stress and Exercise                             
Insomnia                                
Depression                                
The Gene Connection                            

5. Stress: Part 3  
Learning objectives                            
Fellowship Programmes                            
Perception of Stress                             
Challenge and Threat                            

6. Allostasis & Allostatic Load
Learning objectives
Allostatic Load                                

7. Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome Part 1: Identification  
Learning objectives                            
Anatomy and Physiology of the Adrenal Glands                
Pregnenolone Steal                            
Symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue                         
The Stages of Adrenal Fatigue                        
Anxiety-Exhaustion-Depression                        
Simple Clinic Tests for Adrenal Fatigue                    
Adrenal Stress Laboratory Testing                         
Additional Stages of Adrenal Fatigue                    

8. Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome Part 2: Recovery    
Learning objectives:                            
Recovery from Adrenal Fatigue                         
The importance of sleep                            
Diet for Adrenal Fatigue                            
Supplements to Support Adrenal Fatigue                    

9. Stress & Endocrine changes
Learning objectives                            
Insulin and Hypoglycaemia                         
SHBG                                    
Estrogen                                 
Thyroid health                                

10.  Monitoring & Supporting Stress Levels
Learning objectives
DASS Scores and Relevant Supplementation                     
Fight Flight Freeze Emotions                         
Five Element and Miasm Connections                     
Stress Reduction Techniques                        
Meditation                                         
Yoga                                    

11. Flower & Tree Formulas & Remedies
Learning objectives                            
Phytobiophysics Flower Formulas                        
Bach Flower Remedies                            
Massage, Essential oils, and personality types                    

12. The Enneagram  
Learning objectives                            
The Enneagram                                
The Three Centres                            
Correlations between the Enneagram and Homeopathy            

13. Jungian personality types, Briggs & Keirsey  
Jungian Personality Types                            
Myers Briggs Personality Types                        
Dr. David Keirsey’s Four Temperaments                    

14. Conclusion                             

Assessment Questions for Unit 7/Part B