Credit Points 20

Legacy Code 101784

Coordinator Elizabeth Fitzgerald Opens in new window

Description This unit aims to develop clinical practice skills for students enrolled in the Master of Art Therapy. The unit will involve preparation for the field placements and group supervision of casework and issues arising from the placements. The unit involves 375 hours of clinical placement working under the guidance of a clinical supervisor.

School Social Sciences

Discipline Counselling

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 4 20cp

Level Postgraduate Coursework Level 7 subject

Pre-requisite(s) CART 7004 AND
CART 7005 AND
CART 7010 AND
WELF 7009 OR
WELF 7029 AND WELF 7032

Assumed Knowledge

Knowledge of art therapy theory and practice and counselling theory and practice.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Demonstrate their ability to relate theoretical knowledge to the placement setting
2. Demonstrate appropriate clinical, ethical and cultural competencies for a trainee practitioner within the placement setting.
3. Begin art therapy clinical practice with individuals and/or groups
4. Observe an agency at work and gain an understanding of agency philosophy, policies and practices
5. Participate appropriately as a member of a professional team alongside experienced employees of the host organisation.
6. Accept, reflect on and respond reflexively to feedback from on and off-site supervisors.
7. Demonstrate their ability to critically and constructively reflect upon their clinical and placement experiences.
8. Conduct a focussed reading project around a particular client group, problem or issue relevant to the student�fs placement agency, and doc

Subject Content

1. Placement in an appropriate setting for 375 hours
2. Examination of the way in which the treatment models and management structures of the agency affect the functioning of the therapist
3. Working as part of a team
4. Working with clients under supervision
5. Development of clinical skills in practice: therapeutic skills, maintaining the frame of therapy, observation of appropriate boundaries, adherence to ethical practices, cultural competency and sensitivity, engagement and assessment of issues with clients, use of supervision, presentation skills, report writing, record keeping, maintaining art materials, safe and sustainable art therapy studio and clinical practice
6. Observation of an agency at work

Special Requirements

Legislative pre-requisites

Special Requirements - NSW Health Legislative Prerequisites

Student Compliance Information for all Health-Related Placements

Prior to enrolling in this subject, students must have submitted a Student Undertaking Form and undertake to apply for a National Police Check, which is required to be submitted before placement, and a Working with Children Check Student Declaration. Use the link to the Special Requirements webpage below for more information.

To be eligible to enrol in this subject and complete any required health-related placements or experiences, students must meet Western Sydney University program requirements as well as any special, legislated, or policy-mandated requirements.

Western Program Requirements

Visit the Special Requirements webpage for details about your program.

Special Requirements

Mandatory NSW Health student placement policy requirements

To be able to undertake placement in any NSW Health facility you must be assessed as compliant with NSW Health student placement policy in the first year of your program, regardless of when you expect to go on your first placement. Access and read the NSW Student Compliance Information Booklet.

NSW Student Compliance Information Booklet

Please ensure that you

1.  Find your existing National Police Check or apply for one
2.  Gather documentary evidence of your vaccination history
3.  Print and compete all relevant NSW Health forms relevant to the campus you are enrolled at or online enrolment requirements
4.  Follow booklet instructions on how to have your compliance documents assessed by NSW health staff.

International students have additional requirements; the link to the booklet will inform you of these requirements.

School Requirements

Contact your School for further details regarding your School’s requirements, if any, such as

• If you live outside of NSW or Australia and need to meet your state, territory or country’s compliance requirements
• If you need to meet different state, territory or country compliance requirements.
• NSW Working with Children Check (WWCC) or other state equivalent, valid for your entire program.
• Current approved first aid certificate valid for your entire program - approved program providers can be found at the Government Training website
• http://training.gov.au
• Other non-health related requirements.

Student Compliance Resources are also available on the Placements Hub web page (NSW students only)

https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/learning_futures/home/placements_hub/placements_hub/student_compliance