Level: 500 level core
Credit points: 4
Prerequisites: None

Mode of delivery: On-campus

Unit Description:

This unit is one of the core coursework units for students in the Master of Professional Psychology and the Master of Psychology (Clinical). Professional Psychology: Ethical, Legal and Professional Aspects will build upon student’s pre-professional competencies pertaining to the scientist practitioner model and working as an ethical, reflective and culturally responsive practitioner. Students will critically apply their knowledge of these areas to professional psychology practice, develop and reflect upon professional level competencies, and identify a professional development plan to ensure their practice ensures the protection of the public. Students will explore systems relevant to professional psychological practice and will develop knowledge and skills to work and communicate effectively in interdisciplinary settings.

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. Critically and safely apply advanced and integrated knowledge of psychology, scientific method, and ethical, legal and professional codes and frameworks to professional psychology practice
2. Critically apply advanced and integrated knowledge of psychology and related disciplines, professions and systems to the provision of safe services to those engaging with professional psychologists from diverse backgrounds
3. Identify and reflect critically on ethical dilemmas and conduct including personal vulnerabilities and how they can be managed with reference to the APS code of conduct and appropriate legislative frameworks
4. Communicate effectively and apply APA Publication Manual (7th edition) style

Learning and Teaching Process:

This unit is taught over 13 weeks and totals 3.5 student contact hours per week.

Students will participate in teaching and learning activities including:

1. Pre-workshop activities
2. Workshops
3. Post-workshop activities

In addition to the above, students are expected to do at least 7 hours of personal study each week to review lectures and read prescribed and recommended materials for this unit. The total individual workload of this unit will be around 120 hours (including teamwork, individual self-study and reading).

Level: 500 level core
Credit points: 4
Prerequisites: None

Mode of delivery: On-campus

Unit Description:

This unit is one of the core coursework units for students in the Master of Professional Psychology and the Master of Psychology (Clinical). Professional Psychology: Essential Practices and Skills will focus on practices and skills and their application to professional psychology practice, such as case conceptualisation, diagnosis, risk assessment and management, treatment planning, monitoring treatment effectiveness, record keeping, supervision, self-care and reflective practice. Students will build skills relevant to effective interviewing when working with diverse groups and communities and will learn ways in which to incorporate and adapt knowledge and skills across digital modalities.

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. Explain and appropriately apply essential practices and skills in professional psychology practice
2. Critically apply knowledge and skills to develop psychological formulations appropriate to stage of development
3. Demonstrate sensitivity to human diversity and incorporate cultural, social and developmental considerations
4. Communicate effectively applying appropriate professional standards
5. Reflect on the essential practices and skills in professional psychology and the competencies required to practice them safely and effectively

Learning and Teaching Process:

This unit is taught over 13 weeks and totals 3.5 student contact hours per week.

Students will participate in teaching and learning activities including:

1. Pre-class activities
2. Small Group Activities

In addition to the above, students are expected to do at least 7 hours of personal study each week to review lectures and read prescribed and recommended materials for this unit. The total individual workload of this unit will be around 120 hours (including teamwork, individual self-study and reading).

Level: 500 level core
Credit points: 8
Prerequisites: PSYC5442 Professional Psychology: Ethical, Legal and Professional Aspects, PSYC5452 Professional Psychology: Essential Practices and Skills

Co-requisites: PSYC5442 Professional Psychology: Ethical, Legal and Professional Aspects, PSYC5452 Professional Psychology: Essential Practices and Skills

Unit Description:

This unit is one of the core coursework units for students in the Master of Professional Psychology and the Master of Psychology (Clinical). During Professional Psychology Practice 1 students will attend a 3 day intensive following which they will engage in weekly group supervision, individual supervision and a range of simulated applied practice activities and observations designed to develop and consolidate foundational applied skills in professional psychology practice, such as conducting semi-structured interviews and practicing generic psychotherapy skills.  They will also begin to formulate a research question related to professional psychology practice undertaken in collaboration with a research supervisor and colleagues.

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. Apply research knowledge and skills to identify an applied research project for the benefit of the community
2. Communicate effectively to develop effective therapeutic relationships
3. Administer, score, interpret and communicate information about assessments appropriate to stage of development
4. Conceptualise, plan and implement counselling skills and psychological interventions appropriate to stage of development.
5. Behave consistently with the legal requirements and professional codes of conduct relevant to professional psychology practice and research
6. Work effectively in a supervisory relationship using reflective practice and self-awareness of competence
7. Accurately evaluate performance and demonstrate ability to reflect on progress towards goals, self-correcting where necessary

Learning and Teaching Process:

This unit is taught over 12 weeks. Students will participate in teaching and learning activities including:

1. Three days intensive skill development block for all students in the first week of classes
2. Simulated professional psychology practice at the ACAP Psychology Clinic: This will involve participating with colleagues in the assessment and management of standardised case/s under weekly individual supervision.
3. Weekly observational visits to ACAP Psychology Clinic
4. Small group supervision (1 hour weekly either on campus)
5. Weekly readings and fortnightly reflections
6. Online activities

In addition to timetabled contact hours, students are expected to do at least 9 hours each week participating in other activities, including self-directed activities. The total individual workload of this unit will be around 240 hours (including teamwork, individual self-study and reading).

Level: 500 level core
Credit points: 8
Prerequisites: PSYC5442 Professional Psychology: Ethical, Legal and Professional Aspects, PSYC5452 Professional Psychology: Essential Practices and Skills

Unit Description:

This unit is one of the core coursework units for students in the Master of Professional Psychology and the Master of Psychology (Clinical). Assessing psychological problems will provide students with advanced knowledge and foundational professional skills in planning and conducting assessments to enable evidence-based psychological formulations and diagnosis of commonly presenting mental health and psychological problems across the lifespan. This will include common presentations among pre-school and school aged children and adults using cognitive, adaptive and achievement assessments.

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate advanced and integrated understanding of fundamental principles and methods of psychological assessment and of the theoretical and empirical foundations of psychological assessment;
2. Critically analyse and justify the selection of an assessment instrument appropriate to the individual, the setting, and the purpose of the assessment with reference to empirical findings;
3. Critically apply knowledge and skills to administer, score, interpret and communicate information about psychological assessments;
4. Demonstrate advanced skills in the provision of culturally responsive psychological assessment relevant to individuals, groups and communities.
5. Demonstrate an understanding of the cultural and historical context within which tools are developed and their associated limitations of use and interpretation when working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
6. Demonstrate advanced professional communication skills to work with other professionals to synthesise knowledge required for the conduct of an assessment, and to sensitively communicate the results of assessments to a range of audiences

Learning and Teaching Process:

This unit is taught over 13 weeks and totals 9 hours of personal study each week.

Students will participate in teaching and learning activities including:

1. Twelve (12) weekly 5 hours interactive self-directed learning activities
2. Twelve (12) weekly 60 minutes tutorials
3. Twelve (12) 5 hours weekly skills development workshops

The total individual workload of this unit will be around 240 hours (including pre-class activities, small group activities, individual study and reading, and completion of assessments).

Level: 500 level core
Credit points: 8
Prerequisites: PSYC5442 Professional Psychology: Ethical, Legal and Professional Aspects, PSYC5452 Professional Psychology: Essential Practices and Skills

Unit Description:

This unit is one of the core coursework units for students in the Master of Professional Psychology and the Master of Psychology (Clinical). Intervening with psychological problems will introduce students to the advanced knowledge and foundational professional skills in the delivery of evidence-based psychological interventions, including the principles, procedures, and applications of cognitive behavioural therapy.

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate advanced skills in the application of psychological knowledge, incorporating the synthesis of information from multiple sources to formulate a conceptualisation of the presenting issues to determine the most appropriate interventions.
2. Demonstrate advanced skills in applying evidence based and scientific methods to inform interventions, across the lifespan in empirically valid and culturally responsive ways.
3. Implement appropriate, empirically supported interventions, and monitor clients’ progress and intervention outcomes
4. Demonstrate advanced communication skills when working with individuals, groups and communities.
5. Demonstrate competencies in the delivery of CBT therapeutic approach.
6. Demonstrate awareness of the significant impact of colonisation, trauma and loss across generations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders peoples, and skills to appropriately assess and work within a trauma-informed approach using recovery focused methods.
7. Demonstrate knowledge of the age and health related concerns of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, and capabilities to engage and build respectful relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities and organisations.

Learning and Teaching Process:

This unit is taught over 13 weeks and totals approximately 9 hours of personal study each week. Students will participate in teaching and learning activities including:

1. Twelve (12) weekly 5 hours interactive self-directed learning activities
2. Twelve (12) weekly 60 minute tutorials
3. Twelve (12) 5 hours weekly skills development workshops

The total individual workload of this unit will be around 240 hours (including pre-class activities, small group activities, individual study and reading, and completion of assessments).

Level: 500 level core
Credit points: 8
Prerequisites: PSYC5462 Professional Psychology Practice 1

Co-requisites: PSYC5502 Applications of Psychology: Research in Practice

Unit Description:

This unit is a core practicum unit for students in the Master of Professional Psychology and the Master of Psychology (Clinical). PSYC5492 Professional Psychology Practice 2 will provide students with an opportunity to consolidate skills in professional psychology practice.

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. Critically apply knowledge and skills for safe professional practice with diverse individuals, groups and communities
2. Safely conduct and communicate results of psychological assessments appropriate to stage of development, including administering, scoring and interpreting standardised psychological tests
3. Conceptualize, plan and implement counselling skills and psychological interventions appropriate to stage of development.
4. Behave consistently with the legal requirements and professional codes of conduct relevant to professional psychology practice to protect public safety
5. Work effectively in a range of supervisory relationships using awareness of competence, reflective practice and response to feedback

Learning and Teaching Process:

This unit is taught over 13 weeks. Students will participate in teaching and learning activities including:

1. Clinic Practicum Placement Activities (approximately 2 days per week, please refer to PSYC5492 Placement/Supervision Agreement document for exact requirements)
2. Individual clinical supervision and psychometric supervision (please reference PSYC5492 Placement/Supervision Agreement document for individual supervision hour requirements)
3. Small group weekly supervision (attend weeks 2-12)
4. Face-to-face class full day Week 1 (To attend online via zoom)
5. Clinical readings & discussion

In addition to timetabled contact hours, students are expected to do at least 4 hours of personal study each week to review lectures and read prescribed and recommended materials for this unit. The total individual workload of this unit will be around 240 hours (including teamwork, individual self-study and reading).

Level: 500 level core
Credit points: 4
Prerequisites/Co-requisites: PSYC5462 Professional Psychology Practice 1

Mode of delivery: Online

Unit Description:

This unit is one of the core coursework units for students in the Master of Professional Psychology and the Master of Psychology (Clinical). This unit primarily supports the student in conducting and reporting on a service-related research project for both a professional and a stakeholder audience. In addition, we explore specific research skills relevant to integrating the scientist practitioner approach to professional practice.

Learning and Teaching Process:

This unit is taught over 13 weeks and totals approximately 10 to 12 hours of learning activities per week.

Students will participate in teaching and learning activities including:

1. Twelve (12) weekly 90 minutes skill development tutorials
2. Online pre-tutorial learning activities (i.e., lecture recordings and some tutorial preparation)
3. Online post-tutorial learning activities (i.e., lecture reflection quizzes)

Level: 600 level core
Credit points: 6
Prerequisites: None

Unit Description:

This unit introduces students to the competencies required of clinical psychologists and the foundational knowledge and skill base required to demonstrate these, including the scientist practitioner model as it applies to clinical psychology, case formulation, differential diagnosis, and treatment planning. It considers a range of contemporary theories of complex psychological disorders, including developmental, systems, and biopsychological models, as well as the social determinants of health, and how these contribute to the assessment and management of individuals with complex psychological disorders.

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this unit the student should be able to:

1. Demonstrate the ability to independently locate and use relevant and reliable sources of information, including the research and practice literature, and apply it to the practice of clinical psychology.
2. Demonstrate advanced and integrated critical understanding of influential psychological theories of complex psychological problems, including social determinants, and developmental, systems and biopsychological models of health.
3. Demonstrate the ability to synthesise multiple sources of information to develop evidence-based case formulations and differential diagnoses, within recognised classification systems, of complex psychological problems.
4. Demonstrate the ability to design evidence-based treatment plans based upon case formulations of complex psychological problems.

Learning and Teaching Process:

This unit is taught over 13 weeks and totals approximately 9 study hours per week and compulsory attendance at one two day workshop.

Students will participate in teaching and learning activities including:

1. Completion of online learning activities
2. Workshop
3. Self-study

This unit comprises online learning activities completed over the course of the 13 weeks of trimester, and attendance at a two day workshop. Attendance at the workshop is compulsory.

Level: 600 level core
Credit points: 6
Prerequisites: None

Unit Description:

This unit will focus on key practices that underpin clinical psychology. This includes providing a culturally safe environment, including awareness of trauma in both assessment and intervention, strengths and recovery based approaches, monitoring and evaluating treatment effectiveness, and adjusting practice to suit different modalities, for example interventions delivered via technology. Finally, the implications for managing difficulties in treatment will be explored.

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this unit the student should be able to:

1. Apply advanced knowledge of key cultural groups (including First Nations Australians) and culturally competent practices to the assessment and management of people with complex psychological problems
2. Apply advanced knowledge of practices such as trauma informed care, strengths and recovery based approaches to the assessment and management of people with complex psychological problems
3. Apply advanced knowledge of effective practices for monitoring progress and evaluating outcomes of clinical psychology practice, and approaches to managing common difficulties in work with individuals with complex psychological problems
4. Understand principles of effective practice through different modalities, such as internet delivered psychological practice

Learning and Teaching Process:

This unit is taught over 13 weeks and totals approximately 9 study hours per week and compulsory attendance at one two day workshop.

Students will participate in teaching and learning activities including:

1. Completion of online learning activities
2. Workshop
3. Self-study

This unit comprises online learning activities completed over the course of the 13 weeks of trimester, and attendance at a two day workshop. Attendance at the workshop is compulsory.

Level: 600 level core
Credit points: 6
Prerequisites: PSYC6112 Foundations of Clinical Psychology Practice

Co-requisites: PSYC6112 Foundations of Clinical Psychology Practice

Unit Description:

This unit will focus on developing skills in the delivery of evidence-based interventions with complex psychological problems. In particular there will be a focus on the appropriate selection of an intervention approach and its tailoring to the individual based upon a case formulation that considers important contextual factors and comorbidity.

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this unit the student should be able to:

1. Demonstrate advanced knowledge in assessment, case formulation and treatment planning to select, tailor and implement appropriate evidence-based interventions for those affected by complex and / or comorbid psychological disorders across the lifespan.
2. Demonstrate advanced skills in assessment, case formulation, treatment planning and intervention with diverse others for the management of complex and/or comorbid psychological disorders across the lifespan.
3. Demonstrate the ability to effectively monitor client progress and outcomes in therapy.
4. Demonstrate advanced understanding of the role of diverse mental health and other professionals and effective team work in the management of those affected by complex psychological disorders.

Learning and Teaching Process:

This unit is taught over 13 weeks and totals approximately 9 study hours per week and compulsory attendance at one two day workshop.

Students will participate in teaching and learning activities including:

1. Completion of online learning activities
2. Workshops
3. Self-study

Level: 600 level core
Credit points: 12
Prerequisites: PSYC6112 Foundations of Clinical Psychology Practice

Co-requisites: PSYC6112 Foundations of Clinical Psychology Practice

Unit Description:

The main objectives of PSYC6152 Clinical Psychology Practice 1 and PSYC6162 Clinical Psychology Practice 2 are to assist students in working towards the required placement, supervision, research and clinical skills development for competency in psychological assessment and intervention, applying evidence-based research to practice, as well as to enhance each student’s developing identity as a clinical psychologist.

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this unit the student should be able to:

1. Conduct psychological practice in an ethical, culturally sensitive and professional manner with clients with severe and / or complex psychological problems
2. Apply advanced knowledge of a range of psychological theories and associated evidence to developing differential diagnoses, case formulations and treatment plans for the assessment and management of clients with severe and / or complex psychological problems
3. Participate effectively as a member of the team supporting clients with severe and / or complex psychological problems
4. Participate effectively in supervision, demonstrating advanced reflective practice skills to enhance learning and practice
5. Demonstrate advanced understanding and application of the psychological and related literature to inform the response to a practice related question in the placement setting

Learning and Teaching Process:

In the two units PSYC6152 Clinical Psychology Practice 1 and PSYC6162 Clinical Psychology Practice 2, students will undertake external placements totalling 750 hours in settings where services are offered to clients with severe or complex psychological disorders. In each unit, students will complete at least 375 service hours.

Level: 500 level core
Credit points: 4
Prerequisites: PSYC5472 Assessing Psychological Problems, PSYC5482 Intervening with Psychological Problems

Unit Description:

This unit is one of the core coursework units for students in the Master of Professional Psychology and the Master of Psychology (Clinical). This unit introduces students to key theory and practice relevant to working with Students and Schools. Students will develop their skills in case formulation and treatment planning in common areas of presentation among Students and Schools. This unit contains a focus on supporting Students and Schools using Systemic Practice.

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. Apply advanced and integrated knowledge of psychology to safe and ethical psychological practice with Students and Schools in empirically valid and culturally responsive ways
2. Apply advanced and integrated knowledge of research methods and ethics to develop appropriate strategies to answer questions arising from practice with Students and Schools
3. Employ culturally responsive, valid, and reliable psychological assessments relevant to Students and Schools and sensitively communicate findings to a range of audiences
4. Integrate, interpret and synthesise assessment information with their knowledge of Students and Schools to develop culturally responsive and empirically supported case conceptualisations, diagnoses, and interventions for diverse clients
5. Expertly apply personal and professional judgment to safely and appropriately initiate a sustainable career and contribution to the practice of professional psychology with Students and Schools

Learning and Teaching Process:

This unit is taught over 13 weeks and totals 3.5 student contact hours per week.

Students will participate in teaching and learning activities including:

1. Online learning activities
2. Workshops

In addition to timetabled contact hours, students are expected to do at least 7 hours of personal study each week to review lectures and read prescribed and recommended materials for this unit. The total individual workload of this unit will be around 130 hours (including teamwork, individual self-study and reading).

Level: 500 level core
Credit points: 4
Prerequisites: PSYC5472 Assessing Psychological Problems, PSYC5482 Intervening with Psychological Problems

Unit Description:

This unit is one of the core coursework units for students in the Master of Professional Psychology and the Master of Psychology (Clinical). This unit introduces students to key theory and practice relevant to working with individuals with Disability and the Rehabilitation field. Students will develop their skills in case formulation and treatment planning in common areas of presentation among Disability and Rehabilitation. This unit contains a focus on tailoring interventions at the individual level in the context of a person-centred approach.

Learning and Teaching Process:

This unit is taught over 13 weeks and totals 3.5 student contact hours per week.

Students will participate in teaching and learning activities including:

1. Online learning activities
2. Workshops

In addition to timetabled contact hours, students are expected to do at least 7 hours of personal study each week to review lectures and read prescribed and recommended materials for this unit. The total individual workload of this unit will be around 130 hours (including teamwork, individual self-study and reading).