Students

PSYO904 – Counselling and Mental Health in Organisations

2017 – S1 Day

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Lecturer and unit chair
Monique Crane
Contact via 9850 8604
C3A 509
by appointment
Credit points Credit points
4
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to DOrgPsych or MOrgPsych
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
Organisations are increasingly becoming involved in the mental health and wellbeing of employees. It is likely that this is a consequence of two central factors: (1) community pressure for organisations to take greater responsibility for mental health care (as is the case for physical health), and (2) ensuring performance in a competitive commercial climate. Thus, the role of organisations is extending to looking after the emotional welfare of their employees and an organisational psychologist may find the requirement to blend their knowledge of organisational behaviour with knowledge of traditional clinical psychology. This unit aims to provide masters students in organisational psychology with a basic understanding of counselling techniques, suicide-risk assessment, psychopathology and intervention strategies and their relevance to practice within organisations.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

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

  • Demonstrate a working knowledge of theories and models of workplace distress
  • Ability to use methods of psychological investigation
  • Use structured interviewing for diagnostic purposes
  • Ability to construct interview questions
  • Ability to formulate hypotheses about organisational problems
  • Use interpersonal communication skills
  • Demonstrate written communication skills
  • Demonstrate knowledge of psychopathology and diagnostic classification systems
  • Demonstrate ability to design psychological interventions
  • Ability to select appropriate mental health assessment tools
  • Use the cognitive behavioural therapy model
  • Knowledge of legal and professional matters
  • Demonstrate knowledge of sexuality and cultural issues in the workplace
  • Ability to take appropriate notes and keep records

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Interview schedule 50% No 30th March 2017
Treatment plan 50% No 5:00pm 20th April 2017

Interview schedule

Due: 30th March 2017
Weighting: 50%

The role of your interview will be to determine:

  • The key stressors underpinning the staff members’ distress
  • The core psychological problems that seem to be emerging as a consequence of these stressors

Grades will be allocated on the basis of:

  1. The use of organisational and other theoretical perspectives to form the basis of hypothesis (40% of assignment grade).
  2. The formulation of hypotheses based on relevant theoretical perspectives about the key issues underpinning staff member distress (20% of assignment grade)
  3. Your ability to gain interviewee consent (5% of assignment grade)
  4. The appropriate use of interview questions to examine your hypotheses and determine the nature of distress (e.g., psychological outcomes for staff) (35% of assignment grade).

Students are required to submit the following:

  1. A 800 word summary describing your formulation of the possible core issues impacting staff member distress based on relevant research 
  1. A 1200 word interview schedule with comments (footnotes or otherwise) detailing the relevance of questions to your hypotheses where appropriate.

On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate a working knowledge of theories and models of workplace distress
  • Ability to use methods of psychological investigation
  • Use structured interviewing for diagnostic purposes
  • Ability to construct interview questions
  • Ability to formulate hypotheses about organisational problems
  • Use interpersonal communication skills
  • Demonstrate written communication skills
  • Knowledge of legal and professional matters
  • Ability to take appropriate notes and keep records

Treatment plan

Due: 5:00pm 20th April 2017
Weighting: 50%

Produce a 10 session treatment plan for the client (Karen) displayed in the vignette (see iLearn) (2000 words).

 

You need to:

  1. Suggest a possible diagnosis of Karen and how Karen's symptoms relate to the DSM criteria for that disorder (20% assignment grade)
  2. Suggest possible assessments to confirm your diagnosis and rule out alternative diagnoses (10% assignment grade)
  3. Provide a 10 session treatment plan for Karen (assuming your diagnosis is correct) using recognised strategies for treating this particular problem (40% assignment grade)
  4. Inclusion of homework activities and aspects of the plan that can be carried out in the workplace to assist Karen perform more effectively at work (30% assignment grade)

On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate a working knowledge of theories and models of workplace distress
  • Demonstrate written communication skills
  • Demonstrate knowledge of psychopathology and diagnostic classification systems
  • Demonstrate ability to design psychological interventions
  • Ability to select appropriate mental health assessment tools
  • Use the cognitive behavioural therapy model
  • Knowledge of legal and professional matters
  • Demonstrate knowledge of sexuality and cultural issues in the workplace
  • Ability to take appropriate notes and keep records

Delivery and Resources

This unit involves five short lectures and three full-day workshops. A minimal amount of content will be delivered in lecture form. Students will mostly be encouraged to participate in a variety of activities that will allow them to practice skills and receive immediate personalised feedback. 

Students are expected to do the mandatory background reading before the classes, and be able to provide a short verbal summary of readings and respond to questions relating to those readings. There will often be concept-or skill-development activities performed in class, usually in groups, but students will also be assigned activities to perform between classes.

In addition to reading set papers, you are encouraged to consult textbooks and read other journal articles. This will be valuable for developing knowledge, and essential for completing assessment tasks.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html

Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.html

Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html

Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.html​

Disruption to Studies Policy (in effect until Dec 4th, 2017): http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html

Special Consideration Policy (in effect from Dec 4th, 2017): https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration

In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/

Results

Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

PG - Capable of Professional and Personal Judgment and Initiative

Our postgraduates will demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgment. They will have the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate a working knowledge of theories and models of workplace distress
  • Ability to construct interview questions
  • Demonstrate knowledge of psychopathology and diagnostic classification systems
  • Demonstrate ability to design psychological interventions
  • Ability to select appropriate mental health assessment tools
  • Knowledge of legal and professional matters
  • Demonstrate knowledge of sexuality and cultural issues in the workplace
  • Ability to take appropriate notes and keep records

Assessment tasks

  • Interview schedule
  • Treatment plan

PG - Discipline Knowledge and Skills

Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate a working knowledge of theories and models of workplace distress
  • Ability to use methods of psychological investigation
  • Ability to construct interview questions
  • Ability to formulate hypotheses about organisational problems
  • Demonstrate knowledge of psychopathology and diagnostic classification systems
  • Demonstrate ability to design psychological interventions
  • Ability to select appropriate mental health assessment tools
  • Use the cognitive behavioural therapy model
  • Demonstrate knowledge of sexuality and cultural issues in the workplace

Assessment tasks

  • Interview schedule
  • Treatment plan

PG - Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate a working knowledge of theories and models of workplace distress
  • Ability to use methods of psychological investigation
  • Ability to formulate hypotheses about organisational problems
  • Demonstrate knowledge of psychopathology and diagnostic classification systems
  • Demonstrate ability to design psychological interventions
  • Ability to select appropriate mental health assessment tools
  • Use the cognitive behavioural therapy model
  • Knowledge of legal and professional matters
  • Demonstrate knowledge of sexuality and cultural issues in the workplace

Assessment tasks

  • Interview schedule
  • Treatment plan

PG - Research and Problem Solving Capability

Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate a working knowledge of theories and models of workplace distress
  • Ability to use methods of psychological investigation
  • Ability to formulate hypotheses about organisational problems
  • Demonstrate knowledge of psychopathology and diagnostic classification systems
  • Demonstrate ability to design psychological interventions
  • Ability to select appropriate mental health assessment tools
  • Knowledge of legal and professional matters

Assessment tasks

  • Interview schedule
  • Treatment plan

PG - Effective Communication

Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Use structured interviewing for diagnostic purposes
  • Ability to construct interview questions
  • Use interpersonal communication skills
  • Demonstrate written communication skills

Assessment tasks

  • Interview schedule
  • Treatment plan

PG - Engaged and Responsible, Active and Ethical Citizens

Our postgraduates will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their professional responsibilities and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and country and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their professional roles for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Use structured interviewing for diagnostic purposes
  • Use interpersonal communication skills
  • Knowledge of legal and professional matters
  • Demonstrate knowledge of sexuality and cultural issues in the workplace
  • Ability to take appropriate notes and keep records

Assessment tasks

  • Interview schedule
  • Treatment plan

Changes since First Published

Date Description
24/02/2017 No changes I was just checking something, but it was fine. Monique