Dr Rachael Molitor PhD, CPsychol, AFBPsS, FHEA
University Lecturer and Chartered Psychologist | Health and Behaviour Change | Enhanced DBS Checked
Introducing Psychological Therapies
The use of CBT and MI Techniques in Theory and Practice
7 Hours of Psychology Work Experience | Certificate of Completion | Delivered by a Chartered Psychologist
Psychology is about much more than learning theories from a textbook. Psychologists need to know how to listen, understand behaviour, communicate effectively and use psychological knowledge to support people within real-world settings.
Introducing Psychological Therapies: The Use of CBT and MI Techniques in Theory and Practice is a hands-on Psychology Work Experience Workshop designed to give sixth-form and further education students an insight into the applied side of psychology.
Working with Dr Rachael Molitor, Chartered Psychologist and Health Psychologist, students will be introduced to two approaches used within psychological and behaviour-change settings: Motivational Interviewing (MI) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).
Rather than spending the day listening to lectures, students will learn through a combination of short teaching sessions, demonstrations, practical activities, realistic scenarios, discussion and role-play. The emphasis is on experiencing psychology in practice and developing an understanding of the communication, interpersonal and professional skills involved in applied psychological work.
The aim is not to train students to become therapists in a day. Instead, the workshop provides a realistic and age-appropriate introduction to the skills, thinking and professional practice involved in psychological and therapeutic work.
Introducing Psychological Therapies: The Use of CBT and MI Techniques in Theory and Practice is a hands-on Psychology Work Experience Workshop designed to give sixth-form and further education students an insight into the applied side of psychology.
Working with Dr Rachael Molitor, Chartered Psychologist and Health Psychologist, students will be introduced to two approaches used within psychological and behaviour-change settings: Motivational Interviewing (MI) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).
Rather than spending the day listening to lectures, students will learn through a combination of short teaching sessions, demonstrations, practical activities, realistic scenarios, discussion and role-play. The emphasis is on experiencing psychology in practice and developing an understanding of the communication, interpersonal and professional skills involved in applied psychological work.
The aim is not to train students to become therapists in a day. Instead, the workshop provides a realistic and age-appropriate introduction to the skills, thinking and professional practice involved in psychological and therapeutic work.
What Will Students Experience?
The workshop combines psychological theory with practical application, giving students opportunities to experience how psychological knowledge and communication skills are used within applied settings.
Through interactive activities and fictional, age-appropriate scenarios, students will explore aspects of psychological and therapeutic practice within a supportive learning environment. The emphasis is on active participation and giving students an opportunity to apply psychology rather than simply learn about it.
Students are not expected to disclose personal or mental-health experiences during the workshop.
Through interactive activities and fictional, age-appropriate scenarios, students will explore aspects of psychological and therapeutic practice within a supportive learning environment. The emphasis is on active participation and giving students an opportunity to apply psychology rather than simply learn about it.
Students are not expected to disclose personal or mental-health experiences during the workshop.
Before the Workshop
Students will be given access to short pre-recorded learning materials introducing psychological therapies, Motivational Interviewing and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.
Completing these materials beforehand provides students with some foundational knowledge and allows more of the workshop day to focus on applying psychology in practice.
The essential principles will also be revisited during the workshop so that students can participate fully if they have been unable to complete all of the preparatory material.
Completing these materials beforehand provides students with some foundational knowledge and allows more of the workshop day to focus on applying psychology in practice.
The essential principles will also be revisited during the workshop so that students can participate fully if they have been unable to complete all of the preparatory material.
The Workshop
Morning: Motivational Interviewing and Behaviour Change
Afternoon: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Therapeutic Communication
- The morning introduces students to Motivational Interviewing (MI) and explores how psychologists use communication to support people considering changes to their behaviour.
- Students will gain an understanding of some of the principles underpinning MI and consider why effective psychological communication involves more than simply telling somebody what they should do.
- The focus then moves from theory into applied psychological practice. Through demonstrations, interactive activities and realistic scenarios, students will have opportunities to develop and practise communication skills used within MI.
- The emphasis is on experiencing psychological communication in practice and gaining insight into how these skills are used within behaviour-change and applied psychology settings.
Afternoon: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Therapeutic Communication
- The afternoon introduces students to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and explores how psychologists use psychological theory within therapeutic settings.
- Students will gain an understanding of some of the principles underpinning CBT before considering how psychological knowledge can be applied in practice.
- The session will also explore the importance of effective therapeutic communication, including the interpersonal skills psychologists require when supporting and communicating with others.
- Through demonstrations, fictional scenarios and practical activities, students will apply their learning and gain insight into the communication, analytical and interpersonal skills involved in psychological and therapeutic work.
What Skills Will Students Develop?
Students will leave the workshop having done considerably more than simply learn about MI and CBT. Through practical activities, they will have opportunities to develop communication, active listening, empathy, observation, analytical thinking, teamwork, constructive feedback and reflective practice.
Students will also gain insight into the professional responsibilities associated with psychological work, including ethical practice, appropriate boundaries and working professionally with others.
These transferable skills are valuable not only for students considering Psychology, but also for those interested in careers involving communication and working with people, including healthcare, counselling, medicine, nursing, education, social work and allied health professions.
Students will also gain insight into the professional responsibilities associated with psychological work, including ethical practice, appropriate boundaries and working professionally with others.
These transferable skills are valuable not only for students considering Psychology, but also for those interested in careers involving communication and working with people, including healthcare, counselling, medicine, nursing, education, social work and allied health professions.
Where Are MI and CBT Used
One of the aims of the workshop is to help students understand how the psychology they encounter within education connects with real careers and professional practice.
Motivational Interviewing is used across health, psychological and behaviour-change settings, while CBT is an established psychological therapy encountered across psychological and mental-health services.
Knowledge and experience of these approaches can therefore help students gain insight into career pathways including Assistant Psychologist, Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner, Health Psychologist, Clinical Psychologist, Counsellor/Psychological Therapist and other psychological and healthcare professions.
The workshop helps students look beyond a job title and begin to understand the communication, psychological understanding, evidence-based practice and interpersonal skills involved in working within these professions.
Motivational Interviewing is used across health, psychological and behaviour-change settings, while CBT is an established psychological therapy encountered across psychological and mental-health services.
Knowledge and experience of these approaches can therefore help students gain insight into career pathways including Assistant Psychologist, Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner, Health Psychologist, Clinical Psychologist, Counsellor/Psychological Therapist and other psychological and healthcare professions.
The workshop helps students look beyond a job title and begin to understand the communication, psychological understanding, evidence-based practice and interpersonal skills involved in working within these professions.
Psychology Work Experience – Not Just Another Lesson
A central purpose of the workshop is to provide students with an experience of applied psychological work.
Throughout the day, students work with a Chartered Psychologist and experience selected activities and professional skills associated with psychological and therapeutic practice within an age-appropriate environment.
Rather than simply being told what psychologists do, students have opportunities to observe, practise, apply and reflect, gaining insight into the interpersonal, analytical, ethical and professional skills involved in applied psychology.
Students completing the full workshop will receive a Certificate of Completion recognising 7 hours of Psychology Work Experience.
Throughout the day, students work with a Chartered Psychologist and experience selected activities and professional skills associated with psychological and therapeutic practice within an age-appropriate environment.
Rather than simply being told what psychologists do, students have opportunities to observe, practise, apply and reflect, gaining insight into the interpersonal, analytical, ethical and professional skills involved in applied psychology.
Students completing the full workshop will receive a Certificate of Completion recognising 7 hours of Psychology Work Experience.
Turning Work Experience into UCAS Evidence
Completing work experience is valuable. Being able to explain what you learned from it is even more important.
The final part of the workshop supports students to reflect upon their experience, recognise the knowledge and skills they have developed and consider how they can articulate the value of their work experience within UCAS applications, CVs, university interviews and future employment applications.
The emphasis is not simply on having work experience, but on helping students recognise and communicate what the experience has taught them about psychology, professional practice and their own future study or career aspirations.
The final part of the workshop supports students to reflect upon their experience, recognise the knowledge and skills they have developed and consider how they can articulate the value of their work experience within UCAS applications, CVs, university interviews and future employment applications.
The emphasis is not simply on having work experience, but on helping students recognise and communicate what the experience has taught them about psychology, professional practice and their own future study or career aspirations.
Supporting the Gatsby Benchmarks
The workshop can contribute to a school or college’s wider careers provision and supports several of the Gatsby Benchmarks of Good Career Guidance.
- Benchmark 4 – Linking Curriculum Learning to Careers: Students experience how psychological knowledge encountered within education can be applied within professional settings.
- Benchmark 5 – Encounters with Employers and Employees: Students work directly with a practising Chartered Psychologist and University Lecturer and gain insight into professional roles, skills and career pathways.
- Benchmark 6 – Experiences of Workplaces: The practical nature of the workshop provides students with structured insight into the skills, expectations and professional considerations associated with applied psychological work.
- Benchmark 7 – Encounters with Further and Higher Education: Students gain exposure to university-level psychology and insight into potential routes into psychology and related professional careers.
What Students Will Take Away
Students leave with 7 hours of Psychology Work Experience and a Certificate of Completion, alongside practical experience of applied psychological skills.
More importantly, the workshop aims to give students a clearer understanding of what applied psychologists actually do, greater confidence in communicating and working with others, an introductory understanding of MI and CBT, and experience of psychology as something that is applied rather than simply learned.
For students considering Psychology or another people-focused profession, the workshop provides an opportunity to experience a side of psychology that can be difficult to access through classroom learning alone.
More importantly, the workshop aims to give students a clearer understanding of what applied psychologists actually do, greater confidence in communicating and working with others, an introductory understanding of MI and CBT, and experience of psychology as something that is applied rather than simply learned.
For students considering Psychology or another people-focused profession, the workshop provides an opportunity to experience a side of psychology that can be difficult to access through classroom learning alone.
Workshop Information
Workshop: Introducing Psychological Therapies: The Use of CBT and MI Techniques in Theory and Practice
Audience: Sixth Form / Further Education students
Format: Full-day, face-to-face Psychology Work Experience Workshop
Work Experience: 7 hours
Approach: Interactive, practical and applied learning
Pre-workshop learning: Short preparatory videos/materials provided
Completion: Certificate of Psychology Work Experience provided
Delivered by: Dr Rachael Molitor, Chartered Psychologist and Health Psychologist
Audience: Sixth Form / Further Education students
Format: Full-day, face-to-face Psychology Work Experience Workshop
Work Experience: 7 hours
Approach: Interactive, practical and applied learning
Pre-workshop learning: Short preparatory videos/materials provided
Completion: Certificate of Psychology Work Experience provided
Delivered by: Dr Rachael Molitor, Chartered Psychologist and Health Psychologist
Interested in Bringing This Workshop to Your School or College?
The workshop can be delivered for sixth-form and further education students interested in Psychology, psychological therapies, mental health, healthcare and related careers.
Workshop Costing and Fees
Full Day Psychology Work Experience Workshops are individually
costed based on Pupil Numbers and Location.
Limited places are available and on 'first come first booked' basis.
Bespoke Workshops available on request (from 1 or 2 hour talks / workshop / career sessions)
begin from £150 dependent on material creation, requests and travel.
costed based on Pupil Numbers and Location.
Limited places are available and on 'first come first booked' basis.
Bespoke Workshops available on request (from 1 or 2 hour talks / workshop / career sessions)
begin from £150 dependent on material creation, requests and travel.
Feedback from Students
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Exploring psychology careers through a session with a Chartered Psychologist expanded my understanding of the field. Researching different pathways has inspired me to pursue health or clinical psychology and develop the necessary skills for a career in this area. – Jaspreet
As part of my A-level Psychology studies, I had the opportunity to engage in a workshop led by a Chartered Psychologist specialising in behaviour change. This experience introduced me to Motivational Interviewing, an evidence-based therapeutic approach, enhancing my understanding of how psychology is applied in professional settings. – Sarah
Through a workshop with a Chartered Psychologist, I was introduced to Motivational Interviewing, an evidence-based psychological approach. Practising these techniques improved my communication skills and deepened my understanding of psychology’s role in behaviour change. – Ben
Discussing ethical dilemmas in psychology with a Chartered Psychologist helped me appreciate the complexities of real-world psychological practice. This experience strengthened my ability to critically evaluate ethical issues in research and therapy. – Supreet
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I designed and conducted a psychological research project investigating social media and addiction, applying research methods I learned from a Chartered Psychologist. This experience developed my analytical and ethical awareness, key skills for studying psychology at university. – James
Through a full day workshop, I gained insight into research methods, learning about both qualitative and quantitative approaches, which deepened my appreciation for the scientific foundation of psychology. This experience solidified my interest in pursuing psychology at university and developing my skills in research and psychological practice. – Sophie
Understanding Behaviour Change interventions in the real world has allowed me to think outside the box in a critical and complex manner. Understanding the successful techniques used in Commercial Weight Loss Programmes has helped me to gain insight into the Taxonomy of Behaviour Change and how this can support the general population with Health Promotion. Using these skills I am looking to follow a career in Psychology with Counselling. - Dana
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