Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)
Study Course Description

Wellbeing in the Professional Activities of a Psychologist

Main Study Course Information

Course Code
VPUPK_444
Branch of Science
Psychology
ECTS
3.00
Target Audience
Psychology
LQF
Level 7
Study Type And Form
Full-Time

Study Course Implementer

Course Supervisor
Structure Unit Manager
Structural Unit
Department of Health Psychology and Paedagogy
Contacts

Riga, 16 Dzirciema Street, vppk@rsu.lv, +37167061587

About Study Course

Objective

Ensure an understanding of the personality of a psychologist that is appropriate to the Master’s level as the main instrument of work, developing the ability of students to purposefully apply self-help technologies and psychohygiene principles for ensuring professional sustainability, burnout preference and maintaining work-life balance in accordance with EuroPsy’s ethical and competence standards.

Preliminary Knowledge

Biopsychosocial approach to health and health psychology.

The regulation and health of the body’s functions.

Cognitive biheivioral theories and methods in psychological counseling.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge

1.1. Analyses a psychologist’s personality as a primary tool of work, understanding the neurobiological mechanisms of stress and their direct impact on the therapeutic process and quality of decision-making. 2. Evidence-based self-regulation approaches and mental models are critically evaluated, understanding their role in the prevention of professional burnout and secondary trauma. 3. Systematise knowledge of the digital environment and artificial intelligence (AI) tools by understanding their impact on a specialist’s cognitive ecology, ethical responsibility and data security. 4 interprets the principles of professional hygiene and sustainability by understanding their relationship with EuroPsy ethical standards and the professional identity of the psychologist.

Skills

1.1. Select and purposefully apply self-regulation techniques and psychosomatic support tools appropriate to the situation, understanding the principles of their operation for managing emotional balance in professional work. 2. Construct a personal professional resilience plan by analysing the necessary digital and analogue resources for effective information management and occupational hygiene. 3. Demonstrate in-depth self-reflection by verbally and in writing analysing their emotional responses, professional boundaries and stress indicators in clinical practice cases. 4. Communicate effectively about the importance of mental well-being and self-care by analysing the risks and resources of interdisciplinary cooperation in maintaining a healthy working environment.

Competences

1.1. Independently manage and plan their sustainable professional development by understanding and integrating self-help technologies, supervision and pshreflexion into everyday practice. 2. Critically evaluate and take responsibility for ethical and data security standards, understanding the risks and benefits of integrating AI assistants and digital tools into the work of a psychologist. 3. Purposefully improve professional identity by analysing the boundaries of their competence and demonstrating high ethical awareness and psychological fluidity in a changing environment.

Assessment

Individual work

Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.

Critical evaluation of the scientific Article

30.00% from total grade
10 points

Criteria for analysis of the scientific Article: self-help and relaxation techniques (1). Article Bibliographic information and Highlights

    • Identification: exact Article Title, authors, Journal, and year of publication (by checking that the Article meets the “modern study” criterion – over the last 5 to 10 years).
    • Wording of the problem: What exactly is the psychological or physiological condition (such as anxiety, chronic stress, sleep disorders, burnout) that researchers are trying to alleviate? Why is research into this technique relevant in today’s context?

2. Technical and theoretical framework

    • for type of intervention: which particular type of self-help or relaxation is being studied (such as Mindfulness meditation, advanced muscle relaxation, autogenic training, breathing techniques or cognitive self-help)? What theoretical approach is this technique based on?
    • Hypotheses/questions: What were the authors planning to find out about the effectiveness of the technique? What positive changes in participants’ sense of self or behaviour were expected?

3. Methodology evaluation (basic level)

    • sample: who are the study participants (e.g. students, medical staff, patients)? Is the group large and representative enough to conclude that the technique is effective specifically for this audience?
    • Methods: How the participants learned the technique (for example, self-learning, via a mobile app, in a face-to-face seminar)? Which instruments have been used to measure results (self-report surveys, cortisol levels, heart rates)?

4. Analysis and interpretation of results

    • key findings: What are the most relevant results of the study? Did the technique studied show a statistically significant improvement (such as a decrease in stress levels)?
    • Efficiency of technique: does the study show that this particular method of self-help is persistent over time? Were the participants able to practice it independently after the study ended?

5. Conclusions and

    • practical application of

critical reflection: How could a psychologist recommend the technique analysed in a study to a client as a tool for self-help? Is it easy to adapt to everyday life? Limitations: What the authors themselves or the student see as flaws (for example, lack of control group, subjectivity of participants when assessing their condition, short study time)? Student’s own assessment: did the research evidence convince you of the usefulness of this method? How did this Article extend your understanding of the role of relaxation and meditation in psychological health?

Recommendation for drawing up individual work (30% of mark)

    • volume: up to 3 pp.
    • Language: use exact terms (e.g. sympathic nervous system activity, awareness, cognitive revaluation).
    • Focus: students should be encouraged not to simply describe what they did, but to assess whether this “self-help” is really based on scientific data.

2.

Case conceptualisation + justification for intervention

40.00% from total grade
10 points

Students in a group of 3 choose (or the lecturer assigns) a client case and prepare a structured plan 10-day psychological assistance plan, the focus of which is on self-help, relaxation, meditation techniques, justifies the research (1-2 pp), as well as prepares a presentation (PowerPoint, Canva) and presents 8 min in the final lesson.

  • Use a biopsychosocial approach,
  • define risk/protection factors,

establish an intervention plan and justification.

Examination

Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.

Final test (test + short open questions/situation tasks)

30.00% from total grade
10 points

A mandatory requirement is the provision of the assessment/feedback of the study course at the end of the study course on the e-learning platform.

The provisions regarding the use of AI within the framework of the study, as well as the guidelines in the study process have been observed: https://www.rsu.lv/maksligais-intelekts-augstakaja-izglitiba.

Study Course Theme Plan

FULL-TIME
Part 1
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
1

Topics

Personality of a psychologist as a work tool and neurobiological basis
Description

Introduction to the course: understanding a specialist’s sense of self as a guarantor of service quality. The topic covers stress physiology, the role of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system, and neuroplasticity as the basis for learning new self-regulation skills.

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
1

Topics

Personality of a psychologist as a work tool and neurobiological basis
Description

Introduction to the course: understanding a specialist’s sense of self as a guarantor of service quality. The topic covers stress physiology, the role of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system, and neuroplasticity as the basis for learning new self-regulation skills.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
1

Topics

Personality of a psychologist as a work tool and neurobiological basis
Description

Introduction to the course: understanding a specialist’s sense of self as a guarantor of service quality. The topic covers stress physiology, the role of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system, and neuroplasticity as the basis for learning new self-regulation skills.

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
1

Topics

Cognitive self-regulation techniques and mental models
Description

Focus on cognitive biheivioral approach (CBT) technique for element-based self-help methods. Students learn to identify their cognitive distortions in contact with complex clients and apply cognitive oversight to strengthen professional confidence.

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
1

Topics

Cognitive self-regulation techniques and mental models
Description

Focus on cognitive biheivioral approach (CBT) technique for element-based self-help methods. Students learn to identify their cognitive distortions in contact with complex clients and apply cognitive oversight to strengthen professional confidence.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
1

Topics

Cognitive self-regulation techniques and mental models
Description

Focus on cognitive biheivioral approach (CBT) technique for element-based self-help methods. Students learn to identify their cognitive distortions in contact with complex clients and apply cognitive oversight to strengthen professional confidence.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
1

Topics

Cognitive self-regulation techniques and mental models
Description

Focus on cognitive biheivioral approach (CBT) technique for element-based self-help methods. Students learn to identify their cognitive distortions in contact with complex clients and apply cognitive oversight to strengthen professional confidence.

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
1

Topics

Emotional intelligence and the commodity of “sympathy fatigue”
Description

Exploring drawing boundaries between empathy and emotional overflow. Techniques are learned to work with secondary traumatization and methods to maintain therapeutic distance without losing any human connection.

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
1

Topics

Emotional intelligence and the commodity of “sympathy fatigue”
Description

Exploring drawing boundaries between empathy and emotional overflow. Techniques are learned to work with secondary traumatization and methods to maintain therapeutic distance without losing any human connection.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
1

Topics

Emotional intelligence and the commodity of “sympathy fatigue”
Description

Exploring drawing boundaries between empathy and emotional overflow. Techniques are learned to work with secondary traumatization and methods to maintain therapeutic distance without losing any human connection.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
1

Topics

Emotional intelligence and the commodity of “sympathy fatigue”
Description

Exploring drawing boundaries between empathy and emotional overflow. Techniques are learned to work with secondary traumatization and methods to maintain therapeutic distance without losing any human connection.

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
1

Topics

Self-compassion (self-compassion) and acceptance practices
Description

Based on Mindfulness and ACT (acceptance and commitment therapy) principles, students learn self-compassion as an antidote to perfectionism and “saviour syndrome.” The practice focuses on reducing the internal critic and developing psychological fluidity.

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
1

Topics

Self-compassion (self-compassion) and acceptance practices
Description

Based on Mindfulness and ACT (acceptance and commitment therapy) principles, students learn self-compassion as an antidote to perfectionism and “saviour syndrome.” The practice focuses on reducing the internal critic and developing psychological fluidity.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
1

Topics

Self-compassion (self-compassion) and acceptance practices
Description

Based on Mindfulness and ACT (acceptance and commitment therapy) principles, students learn self-compassion as an antidote to perfectionism and “saviour syndrome.” The practice focuses on reducing the internal critic and developing psychological fluidity.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
1

Topics

Self-compassion (self-compassion) and acceptance practices
Description

Based on Mindfulness and ACT (acceptance and commitment therapy) principles, students learn self-compassion as an antidote to perfectionism and “saviour syndrome.” The practice focuses on reducing the internal critic and developing psychological fluidity.

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
1

Topics

Psychosomatic persistence: breathing and Bio-feedback
Description

Practical work with respiratory techniques and monitoring of heart rate variability (HRV). Learning how to manage physiological stress before and after strenuous consultation in real time integrates a biopsychosocial approach.

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
1

Topics

Psychosomatic persistence: breathing and Bio-feedback
Description

Practical work with respiratory techniques and monitoring of heart rate variability (HRV). Learning how to manage physiological stress before and after strenuous consultation in real time integrates a biopsychosocial approach.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
1

Topics

Psychosomatic persistence: breathing and Bio-feedback
Description

Practical work with respiratory techniques and monitoring of heart rate variability (HRV). Learning how to manage physiological stress before and after strenuous consultation in real time integrates a biopsychosocial approach.

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
1

Topics

Professional identity and ethical boundaries in the digital environment
Description

Discussions about the psychologist’s image on social media, the specifics of remote consultations and digital etiquette. Data security and ethical dilemmas arising from the use of technology are analysed in accordance with Latvian and international regulations.

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
1

Topics

Professional identity and ethical boundaries in the digital environment
Description

Discussions about the psychologist’s image on social media, the specifics of remote consultations and digital etiquette. Data security and ethical dilemmas arising from the use of technology are analysed in accordance with Latvian and international regulations.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
1

Topics

Professional identity and ethical boundaries in the digital environment
Description

Discussions about the psychologist’s image on social media, the specifics of remote consultations and digital etiquette. Data security and ethical dilemmas arising from the use of technology are analysed in accordance with Latvian and international regulations.

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
1

Topics

Digital wellbeing and cognitive ecology
Description

The topic of information overload and “digital fatigue.” Students are developing a personal plan for cognitive hygiene: how to manage screen time, reduce digital anxiety, and maintain concentration abilities at work with complex data.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
1

Topics

Digital wellbeing and cognitive ecology
Description

The topic of information overload and “digital fatigue.” Students are developing a personal plan for cognitive hygiene: how to manage screen time, reduce digital anxiety, and maintain concentration abilities at work with complex data.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
1

Topics

Digital wellbeing and cognitive ecology
Description

The topic of information overload and “digital fatigue.” Students are developing a personal plan for cognitive hygiene: how to manage screen time, reduce digital anxiety, and maintain concentration abilities at work with complex data.

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
1

Topics

Responsible AI (AI) integration into self-care and work
Description

How AI tools can help a psychologist (documentation automation, research, self-analysis), but what are the risks (academic honesty, data privacy). Practical testing of AI assistants for self-growth planning.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
1

Topics

Responsible AI (AI) integration into self-care and work
Description

How AI tools can help a psychologist (documentation automation, research, self-analysis), but what are the risks (academic honesty, data privacy). Practical testing of AI assistants for self-growth planning.

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
1

Topics

Interdisciplinary cooperation and social support systems
Description

A psychologist as part of a multi-professional team. Topic on the role of supervision, intervision and peer support groups. Students are learning to build a professional support network to prevent isolation in clinical practice.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
1

Topics

Interdisciplinary cooperation and social support systems
Description

A psychologist as part of a multi-professional team. Topic on the role of supervision, intervision and peer support groups. Students are learning to build a professional support network to prevent isolation in clinical practice.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
1

Topics

Interdisciplinary cooperation and social support systems
Description

A psychologist as part of a multi-professional team. Topic on the role of supervision, intervision and peer support groups. Students are learning to build a professional support network to prevent isolation in clinical practice.

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
1

Topics

Professional growth and sustainability Plan
Description

At the end of the course, students integrate all the learned topics into an individual “Professional sustainability folder.” This includes self-regulation tools, AI usage guidelines and a long-term refinement strategy.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
1

Topics

Professional growth and sustainability Plan
Description

At the end of the course, students integrate all the learned topics into an individual “Professional sustainability folder.” This includes self-regulation tools, AI usage guidelines and a long-term refinement strategy.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
1

Topics

Professional growth and sustainability Plan
Description

At the end of the course, students integrate all the learned topics into an individual “Professional sustainability folder.” This includes self-regulation tools, AI usage guidelines and a long-term refinement strategy.

Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
32 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam

Bibliography

Required Reading

1.

European Federation of Psychologists’ Associations. (2025). EuroPsy regulations July 2025: European standard and certificate in psychology.

2.

Mārtinsone, K. (Sast.). (2021). Pašpalīdzības un pašvadības iespēju arsenāls krīzes un transformāciju laikā: Metodes ikvienam. Rīgas Stradiņa universitāte.

3.

Neff, K., & Germer, C. (2024). The mindful self-compassion handbook for clinicians: Program guide and sessions. Guilford Press.

4.

Skovholt, T. M., & Trotter-Mathison, M. (2023). The resilient practitioner: Burnout and compassion fatigue prevention and self-care strategies for the helping professions (4th ed.). Routledge.

5.

Wise, E. H., & Barnett, J. E. (2023). Self-care for psychologists: A practical guide for professional resilience and wellbeing. American Psychological Association.

Additional Reading

1.

Irwin, M. R., & Vedhara, K. (Eds.). (2023). The Oxford handbook of psychoneuroimmunology (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press.

2.

Lupton, D. (2025). Digital health and society: New directions. Polity Press.

3.

Nature Medicine. (2024). The practical implementation of artificial intelligence in healthcare: Challenges and opportunities. Nature Medicine, 30(1), 24–36

4.

Yardley, L., & Morrison, L. (2023). Digital behavior change interventions. In J. Suls (Ed.), Handbook of health psychology (pp. 455–472). Routledge.

Other Information Sources

1.

Headspace. (2024). Headspace: Mindful meditation (Versija 5.162.0) [Mobilā lietotne]. Google Play Store.

2.

Healthy Minds Innovations. (2023). Healthy Minds Program (Versija 3.1.2) [Mobilā lietotne].

3.

Mindfulness Coach. (2023). Mindfulness Coach (Versija 3.0) [Mobilā lietotne]. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

4.

Smiling Mind. (2024). Smiling Mind: Mental fitness [Mobilā lietotne]. App Store.

5.

University of California, Berkeley. (n.d.). Greater good in action: Science-based practices for a meaningful life[Tiešsaistes platforma].

6.

Woebot Health. (2024). Woebot: Your self-care expert [Mobilā lietotne].