Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 102808

Coordinator Janet Conti Opens in new window

Description The ability to work with mental health issues and psychological distress that arises within a range of contexts is an essential skill for Clinical Psychologists. This unit equips students with skills in assessment, formulation and tailored psychological interventions for those who experience psychological distress within family systems and broader socio-cultural contexts; including abuse and violence; working within medico-legal systems, and broader socio-cultural contexts. The unit will explore theories, psychological techniques and prepare students to working within these settings that include inter-disciplinary collaboration and communication with multidisciplinary health services and legal practitioners. Please note: some of the activities in this unit may include experiential learning, for example where students may be asked to take on the client role using their own lived experience, to provide opportunity for training in therapeutic modalities that are more "real life". Students may opt-out of these activities without consequence through speaking to the unit coordinator and alternative arrangements for student learning opportunities will be organised.

School Psychology

Discipline Psychology

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 1 10cp

Level Postgraduate Coursework Level 7 subject

Pre-requisite(s) BEHV 7027 AND
BEHV 7006 AND
BEHV 7029 AND
BEHV 7038

Restrictions

Students must be enrolled in 1812 Master of Clinical Psychology.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

1. Design and produce a psychological assessment, formulation and treatment plan for a family therapy intervention with application of family systems theory (APAC GA: 3.8, 4.2.1i, 4.2.1ii & 4.2.2iii, 4.2.3i & 4.2.3iv).
2. Apply a treatment intervention that addresses a psychological problem through understanding the person within their psychosocial and cultural context; and evaluate and reflect on and identify areas for improvement in the process and outcomes of the psychological intervention (APAC GA:3.2, 3.3, 3.9, 3.14, 3.15, 4.2.1i, 4.2.1ii, 4.2.3i & 4.2.3iv).
3. Examine and reflect on the roles and functions of clinical psychologists in common interprofessional, medico-legal and forensic settings, including assessment, interviewing, evolving case formulation to inform tailored psychological interventions and inter-professional communication. (APAC GA: 3.6, 3.10, 3.11, 3.12, 3.14, 4.2.2ii, 4.2.2iii & 4.2.3iii).
4. Evaluate psychological interventions to ensure they are tailored to the person within their familial and socio-cultural context, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. (APAC GA: 3.7, 4.2.1ii, 4.2.2iv, 4.2.3ii & 4.2.3iv).

Subject Content

Systemic family therapy interventions: working with individuals within their family system and socio-cultural context, including couples therapy and interventions that address power imbalances within family systems; including abuse and violence.
Working within inter-professional contexts, including medico-legal contexts including forensic investigative psychology, legal issues frequently encountered in psychological practice, and communicating with relevant agencies including report writing.
Tailoring psychological assessment and interventions to diverse cultural contexts, including when working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.