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

Unit Description:

This unit will examine the ethical, legal and professional contexts of clinical psychology practice, and the extended role of clinical psychologists. This unit extends the student’s understanding in a number of important areas essential to the practice of clinical psychology. This includes: understanding of psychopharmacology as it relates to complex psychological disorders; understanding health and other systems in which individuals with complex psychological disorders may be involved and the role of clinical psychologists; and the extended role of clinical psychologists in relation to advanced competencies such as training, supervision, service development and leadership of teams.

Learning Outcomes:

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

a. Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the uses of psychopharmacology for the treatment of complex psychological disorders across the lifespan.

b. Demonstrate advanced ethical understanding in relation to complex psychological disorders.

c. Demonstrate the advanced knowledge and skills required to operate effectively within complex systems, such as forensic, education and social welfare systems, in relation to the assessment and management of clients with complex psychological disorders.

d. Demonstrate knowledge and skills in effective teamwork in relation to the evidence-based assessment and treatment of people with complex psychological disorders.

e. Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the extended role of clinical psychologists, such as in relation to leadership, consultation, service development, program evaluation, and quality assurance.

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:

a. Completion of online learning activities

b. Workshop

c. 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

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:

a. 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

b. 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

c. 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

d. 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:

a. Completion of online learning activities

b. Workshop

c. 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.