Health Psychology Training Course

Health psychology explores how psychological, behavioural, and social factors influence physical health, illness, and wellbeing. It plays a vital role in understanding why people engage in certain health behaviours, how they cope with illness, and how healthcare services can better support long-term health outcomes.

The free Health Psychology Training Course introduces learners to the core concepts, theories, and practical applications of health psychology, with clear links to real-world healthcare, public health, and social care practice in the UK.

Why Take This eLearning Course?

Health and social care professionals regularly support individuals whose health is influenced not only by medical conditions, but also by behaviour, emotions, beliefs, stress, and social circumstances. Health psychology provides a framework for understanding these factors and improving care, prevention, and self-management.

This free course supports learners to:

• Understand how psychological factors affect health and illness
• Recognise how behaviour influences long-term health outcomes
• Apply evidence-based behaviour change approaches
• Improve communication, engagement, and support for service users
• Understand stress, coping, and help-seeking behaviour
• Support people living with chronic and long-term conditions

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, learners will be able to:

• Define health psychology and explain its role in healthcare
• Apply the biopsychosocial model to health and illness
• Describe key health psychology theories and models
• Understand factors influencing health behaviours
• Recognise barriers to accessing healthcare
• Explain how stress and coping affect physical and mental health
• Understand psychological aspects of chronic illness management
• Identify the role of research and ethics in health psychology
• Develop core professional and communication skills

Health Psychology Training Course Course Outline

Module 1: Basics of Health Psychology
Learners will be introduced to health psychology and its role within modern healthcare. This module explains how psychological factors influence physical health and illness and introduces the biopsychosocial model as a framework for understanding the interaction between biological, psychological, and social influences on health.

Module 2: Theories and Models in Health Psychology
This module explores key theories and models used in health psychology, such as stress and illness perception models. Learners will develop an understanding of how thoughts, emotions, and beliefs influence health behaviours, illness experiences, and recovery.

Module 3: Health Behaviours and Wellbeing
Learners will examine common health behaviours, including eating, physical activity, and lifestyle choices, and how these affect wellbeing. The module explores the factors that influence behaviour and the impact of positive and negative health behaviours on long-term health outcomes. A knowledge check supports learning.

Module 4: Behaviour Change Techniques
This module focuses on theories of behaviour change and how they are applied in practice. Learners will explore examples of public health and healthcare interventions designed to encourage healthier behaviours and understand how behaviour change techniques support prevention and health promotion.

Module 5: Help-Seeking Behaviour
Learners will explore why people seek or avoid healthcare support. This module examines psychological, social, and emotional barriers to accessing services and how attitudes, beliefs, and past experiences can influence help-seeking behaviour.

Module 6: Stress and Coping
This module explores stress and its psychological and physical effects on health. Learners will examine different coping mechanisms and understand how adaptive and maladaptive coping strategies influence health outcomes. A knowledge check is included to reinforce understanding.

Module 7: Managing Chronic Conditions
Learners will develop an understanding of the psychological factors involved in living with and managing long-term conditions. This module explores approaches to pain management, adjustment to chronic illness, and the role of psychological support in improving quality of life.

Module 8: Psychosomatics
This module introduces psychosomatic illness and the link between mind and body. Learners will explore how psychological factors can contribute to physical symptoms and examine placebo and nocebo effects and their relevance in healthcare settings.

Module 9: Research Methods in Health Psychology
Learners will explore qualitative and quantitative research methods used in health psychology. This module explains how research informs evidence-based practice and highlights ethical considerations when conducting psychological research in healthcare. A knowledge check supports learning.

Module 10: Professional Skills in Health Psychology
In the final module, learners will explore key professional skills used in health psychology practice. This includes communication, assessment, and the use of psychological interventions to support health behaviour change, wellbeing, and long-term condition management.

Target Audience

This course is suitable for:

• Health and social care workers
• Support workers and care assistants
• Public health staff
• Allied health professionals
• Students entering healthcare or psychology-related roles
• Anyone interested in understanding the psychology of health and illness

It is appropriate for CPD learning, introductory psychology education, and broader health and wellbeing training.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this course suitable without a psychology background?
Yes. The course is designed as an accessible introduction with no prior psychology knowledge required.

Is the course relevant to social care as well as healthcare?
Yes. Health psychology principles apply across health, social care, and community settings.

Does this course include practical examples?
Yes. Concepts are linked to real-life health behaviours, public health interventions, and care practice.

How long does the course take?
Most learners complete the course in 1 hour, depending on experience and pace.

Will I receive a certificate?
Yes. A certificate is awarded on successful completion.

Understanding health psychology helps professionals move beyond a purely medical model of care. By recognising the role of behaviour, emotions, and social context, services can improve engagement, reduce health inequalities, and support long-term wellbeing.

Enrol on the Health Psychology Training Course today

Build insight, improve practice, and strengthen your understanding of how psychology shapes health and care outcomes.