Learning Outcomes

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

1. Apply advanced psychological evidence-based knowledge and skills to their practice of clinical psychology with clients and in a professional setting, acting consistently with relevant legal frameworks, mental health practice standards, codes of ethical practice, and occupational health standards.
2. Apply evidence-based and scientific methods to professional practice with clients across the lifespan and with a range of socially and culturally diverse clients.
3. Establish appropriate therapeutic relationships with their clients (and/or relevant carers) in a culturally responsive manner and communicate professionally and effectively with them to obtain and provide information.
4. Select and administer appropriate instruments for assessment or other methods for data collection, and analyse and evaluate the results.
5. Integrate and interpret information from a range of sources in order to arrive at a formulation (describe clients and problems within a psychological framework, assess risk).
6. Devise and implement the most appropriate intervention and treatment plan which is evidence based and clearly derived from the formulation, including management of risk.
7. Monitor and evaluate the effects of the intervention and make modifications as required.
8. Provide clear, comprehensive, accurate, and relevant verbal and written reports of their activities to the client, families, and external agencies where required.
9. Conduct themselves in a professional and ethical manner, while operating within the boundaries of their professional competence, and ensuring the safety of clients and colleagues in all aspects of professional work.
10. Engage in self-reflective professional practice, taking into account the impact of their own experiences, values and beliefs, and taking appropriate actions as a result to ensure professional practice is maintained, including developing effective self-care strategies.
11. Understand the organisation of the workplace setting and work effectively and co-operatively within that organisation with recognition of different organisational cultures and practice.
12. Critically evaluate contemporary scientific literature to inform practice.

Other Information

Pre-Placement Requirements:

• Provisional Registration with the Psychology Board of Australia,
• National Police Certificate - Students must complete a National Police Check.
• Immunisation Record – Students must ensure their immunisations are current.
• Working with Vulnerable People Registration – Students must complete a WWVP check.

Indicative Assessment

1. Professional Placement Portfolio - includes a Placement Agreement, Written Clinical Case report, Supervisors evaluation of competence, and Log books indicating activities conducted over the course of the placement (100) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12]

The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.

Workload

The Initial Placement, which occurs in the ANU Psychology Clinic, is where students commence their professional training and is separated into two components over 10 months (Placement I and Placement II). The Initial Placement is normally 120 days in duration, at a rate of 3 days a week for approximately 10 months.

This course continues through PSYC8202

Inherent Requirements

During the clinical placement, students will provide psychology services to potentially vulnerable clients. This requires students to put into practice a range of professional competencies developed in earlier courses. Developing these competencies requires students to be able to:

• Communicate effectively in English, including understanding and conveying nuance and adapting their communication style to suit the preferences and needs of others.
• Use cues other than the literal meaning of spoken words to interpret the thoughts, emotions and motivations of others.
• Reflect on how their verbal and non-verbal communication is interpreted by others and use these insights to develop positive professional relationships.
• Monitor, reflect on and take responsibility for their own mental wellbeing, assumptions, beliefs and reactions to ensure they have the capacity to provide effective psychology services to clients.
• Work professionally with supervisors, colleagues and fellow students, take proactive steps to resolve difficult situations and learn effectively from supervisor feedback.

In addition, to participate in the placement, students must:

• Hold provisional registration with the Psychology Board of Australia, including meeting standards for criminal history and English language skills.
• Meet reasonable requirements set by the clinic at which they conduct their placement, including working at set times, suitability screening and, at some placements, requirements for immunisation.

Students must demonstrate their ability to meet these requirements before commencing the placement and will not be able to complete the placement if, for any reason, they are no longer able to meet them. Students who do not successfully complete the placement will not be able to complete their degree.

Requisite and Incompatibility

Prescribed Texts

Check Wattle for details.

Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links