Level: 600 level core
Credit points: 6

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:

• 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.  

• 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.  

• Demonstrate the ability to design evidence-based treatment plans based upon case formulations of complex psychological problems. 

• Demonstrate advanced knowledge and understand of ethical, legal and professional issues in relation to complex psychological disorders. 

• 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 

• Apply principles of effective communication practice across contexts and different modalities, such as technology-mediated psychological practice 

Level: 600 level core
Credit points: 12

Prerequisites: PSYC6172 Clinical Psychology: Core Skills and Professional Issues

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.

In the two units PSYC6152 Clinical Psychology Practice 1 and PSYC6162 Clinical Psychology Practice 2 students will undertake external placements with a total of 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. Students should refer to the Psychology External Placements Handbook for further detail on the breakdown of hours within each placement.

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

Level: 600 level core
Credit points: 6

Prerequisites: PSYC6172 Clinical Psychology: Core Skills and Professional Issues

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 diverse groups and populations including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders peoples. Students will develop their skills towards becoming a culturally safe mental health care practitioner by engaging in in depth self awareness, reflection and development. This unit will thereby engage students in culturally safe case formulation and treatment planning in common areas of presentation among diverse groups. This unit contains a focus on supporting diverse groups using a range of modalities and approaches.

Learning Outcomes:

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

1. Apply advanced and integrated knowledge of psychology to safe and ethical psychological practice 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 
3. Employ culturally responsive, valid, and reliable psychological assessments and sensitively communicate findings to a range of audiences 
4. Integrate, interpret and synthesise assessment information with their knowledge 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 

Level: 600 level core
Credit points: 6

Prerequisites: PSYC6172 Clinical Psychology: Core Skills and Professional Issues

PSYC6182 Clinical Psychology: Working in a Cross-Cultural Context

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:

Level: 600 level core
Credit points: 6

Prerequisites: PSYC6172 Clinical Psychology: Core Skills and Professional Issues

Corequisites: PSYC6172 Clinical Psychology: Core Skills and Professional Issues

Unit Description:

This unit will focus on key practices and philosophies 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. Finally, the implications for managing difficulties in treatment will be explored. These ideas will be applied in the context of working with specific clinical populations.

Learning Outcomes:

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

1. 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
2. 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
3. Understand principles of effective practice when working with a variety of complex clinical presentations

Level: 600 level core
Credit points: 12

Prerequisites:PSYC6152 Clinical Psychology Practice 1
PSYC6172 Clinical Psychology: Core Skills and Professional Issues

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.

In the two units PSYC6152 Clinical Psychology Practice 1 and PSYC6162 Clinical Psychology Practice 2 students will undertake external placements with a total of 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. Students should refer to the Psychology External Placements Handbook for further detail on the breakdown of hours within each placement.

Learning Outcomes:

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

a. Conduct psychological practice in an ethical, culturally sensitive, and professional manner with clients with severe and / or complex psychological problems

b. 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

c. Participate effectively as a member of the team supporting clients with severe and / or complex psychological problems

d. Participate effectively in supervision, demonstrating advanced reflective practice skills to enhance learning and practice

e. Demonstrate advanced understanding and application of the psychological and related literature to inform the response to a practice related question in the placement setting