Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Demonstrate a range of counselling skills, conduct structured and semi-structured clinical interviews and demonstrate the ability to make systematic observations of relevant behaviour during the clinical assessment/treatment process.
2. Understand and employ psychometric theory and techniques in conducting psychological assessments and evaluating psychological tests; administer, score and interpret commonly used psychological tests measuring intellectual ability and psychopathology; prepare formal psychological reports and communicate assessment results to clients and other stakeholders; and demonstrate knowledge of the DSM-5 diagnostic classification system.
3. Diagnose common childhood psychological disorders, observe and assess children’s social behaviour and deliver a formulation regarding a child’s presenting problem(s) in a collaborative fashion.
4. Demonstrate the ability to research, understand, and resolve clinical and professional ethical issues as outlined by the Australian Psychological Society Code of Ethics and Ethical Guidelines, Psychology Board of Australia Guidelines for Practice, and other relevant professional guidelines and regulatory legislation.
5. Provide evidence-based formulations and employ CBT techniques and strategies to treat clients presenting with emotional disorders.
6. Apply advanced psychological knowledge to culturally responsive interventions in the area of clinical psychology

Work Integrated Learning

Other

Students may engage with WIL partners (internal/external) as a component of the course

Other Information

Enrolees must be eligible for registration as a psychologist in the ACT. This course is assessed on a Course Requirement Satisfied (CRS) or Fail basis. Students must satisfactorily complete all assessment tasks in order to pass the course.

Indicative Assessment

1. The assessment for each sub-course equals 1/5 of the overall assessment for this course: (null) [LO null]
2. Psychopathology and Intervention I: Reflective task (20%); Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE; 40%); Treatment Report (40%) (20) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6]
3. Clinical Psychological Assessment: Psychometric evaluation essay (20%); PAI interpretation report (20%); Video-taped WAIS-IV administration and report (25%); Integrated psychological report (20%); Clinical Skills Workshop assessments (15%) (20) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6]
4. Child Psychopathology and Intervention: Discussion of weekly readings (5%); Preschool observation report (15%); Video and written reflection (30%), Case formulation and intervention plan (50%) (20) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6]
5. Ethics and Clinical Practice: Legislation and ethical codes quiz (25%); Mandatory reporting and sexualised behaviours quiz (25%); Response to ethical dilemmas essay (50%) (20) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6]
6. Clinical Skills Workshops: Written reflective journal (5%); MINI Neuropsychiatric Interview (5%); Video demonstration of clinical interview and assessment (30%); GP letter (10%); Role play (40%); Participation during discussions in the workshop and engagement in role-plays (10%) (20) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6]

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Workload

This course is comprised of submodules. The face-to-face/contact hours for each submodule may vary, but are expected to consist of:

• Psychopathology and Intervention I: 2-3 hours/week (24 hours over the semester)
• Clinical Psychological Assessment: 3 hours/week (36 hours over the semester)
• Clinical Skills Workshop: 10 x 6 hr workshops & 1 hour Viva at the end of the course (61 hours over the semester)
• Child Psychopathology and Intervention: 3 hrs/week plus a 6-hour practical workshop and one preschool-based assignment (42 hours over the semester)
• Ethics and Clinical Practice: 4 x 3.5-hour workshops (14 hours over the semester)

Plus a minimum 83 hours of self-directed study and several mandatory workshops..

Inherent Requirements

To be determined.

Requisite and Incompatibility

Prescribed Texts

To be confirmed at the beginning of the course. Texts will be selected in line with current research.

Assumed Knowledge

A basic understanding of clinical diagnosis, assessment and treatment comparable to undergraduate level abnormal psychology.

Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links