Students

PSYC8989 – Clinical Psychology Therapy 2

2020 – Session 2, Special circumstance, North Ryde

Notice

As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group learning activities on campus for the second half-year, while keeping an online version available for those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.

To check the availability of face to face activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Convenor
Carolyn Schniering
Contact via Email
4FW711
By appointment
Lecturer
Viviana Wuthrich
Contact via Email
Lecturer
Jennie Hudson
Contact via Email
Lecturer
Melissa Norberg
Contact via Email
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MClinPsych and (PSYC985 or PSYC8985) and (PSYC986 or PSYC8986) and (PSYC987 or PSYC8987)
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit covers evidence-based practice in the understanding and management of psychological disorders at an advanced level. The focus will be on advanced therapy skills in the selection, tailoring and implementation of appropriate evidence-based case-formulated interventions for more severe and complex mental health populations. Material will cover the monitoring of outcomes and modifications required based on evolving case formulation for complex comorbidities, as well as a range of chronic mental health disorders across the lifespan. Related content on consultation and collaboration with other professionals regarding clinical planning and referrals around complex presentations will also be covered.

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:

  • ULO1: Gather relevant information in the selection, tailoring and implementation of appropriate evidence-based interventions on the basis of an initial case formulation for complex presentations and/or with comorbidities.
  • ULO2: Explain how to monitor outcomes and modifications based on evolving case formulation, in particular as required for complex comorbidities, personality disorders and psychotic processes.
  • ULO3: Report and demonstrate the principles and methods of empirically supported interventions across the lifespan for a range of complex clinical disorders
  • ULO4: Demonstrate advanced critical thinking and psychological knowledge to solve problems related to the treatment of complex comorbidities in the area of clinical psychology.
  • ULO5: Report on the process of consultation and collaboration with other professionals regarding clinical planning and referrals around complex case presentations.

General Assessment Information

Attendance to classes is compulsory in order to achieve a Pass grade or higher in this unit. Class participation is essential to the learning outcomes of this unit. Live demonstrations and role-modelling will be used to teach the practical application of the counselling skills covered in this unit. Students are expected to be present for the entirety of the class session. The material covered in class may not be posted on iLearn. Thus it is the student’s responsibility to attend class and to take notes on the material covered.

If students miss a tutorial, it is University Policy that students MUST make a Request for Special Consideration through https://ask.mq.edu.au/ with appropriate documentation (e.g., medical certificates etc). To be eligible for Special Consideration, a student must notify the University of a serious and unavoidable disruption no later than 15 working days of the due date (see University Policy https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/disruption-to-studies ). Please note that the 15 day policy is a temporary change from the usual 5 day policy due to COVID.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Clinical case report 20% No Week 6
Face-to face viva and reflective report 40% Yes Weeks 8-9
Final Examination 40% No Week 13

Clinical case report

Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: Week 6
Weighting: 20%

 

Clinical case report of 1500 words covering case formulation and treatment plans from a vignette provided.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Gather relevant information in the selection, tailoring and implementation of appropriate evidence-based interventions on the basis of an initial case formulation for complex presentations and/or with comorbidities.
  • Explain how to monitor outcomes and modifications based on evolving case formulation, in particular as required for complex comorbidities, personality disorders and psychotic processes.
  • Report and demonstrate the principles and methods of empirically supported interventions across the lifespan for a range of complex clinical disorders
  • Demonstrate advanced critical thinking and psychological knowledge to solve problems related to the treatment of complex comorbidities in the area of clinical psychology.

Face-to face viva and reflective report

Assessment Type 1: Viva/oral examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 11 hours
Due: Weeks 8-9
Weighting: 40%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)

 

Students will be required to conduct part of a treatment session in 20 minutes that demonstrates principles and methods of an empirically supported intervention for a case provided. Following the viva, a 600 word report will summarise key reflections upon the performance and will be submitted the following day.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Report and demonstrate the principles and methods of empirically supported interventions across the lifespan for a range of complex clinical disorders

Final Examination

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 40%

 

Final examination held in scheduled class time, in accordance with relevant requirements.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Gather relevant information in the selection, tailoring and implementation of appropriate evidence-based interventions on the basis of an initial case formulation for complex presentations and/or with comorbidities.
  • Explain how to monitor outcomes and modifications based on evolving case formulation, in particular as required for complex comorbidities, personality disorders and psychotic processes.
  • Report and demonstrate the principles and methods of empirically supported interventions across the lifespan for a range of complex clinical disorders
  • Demonstrate advanced critical thinking and psychological knowledge to solve problems related to the treatment of complex comorbidities in the area of clinical psychology.
  • Report on the process of consultation and collaboration with other professionals regarding clinical planning and referrals around complex case presentations.

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

Teaching material will be presented using a variety of formats including presentations, video and/or audio clips, modelling, problem-based learning, class discussions, additional reading material, and in class role-plays. 

Unit Schedule

Week 1. Introduction and Generic Therapy Skills when Working with Children and Adolescents

Week 2. Child and Adolescent Anxiety

Week 3. Child and Adolescent Externalising Disorders

Week 4. Child and Adolescent Depression

Week 5. Adult Externalising Disorders

Week 6. Substance Use Disorders

Week 7. Psychosis/Bipolar Disorders

Week 8. Personality/Schema Disorders 1

Week 9. Personality/Schema Disorders 2

Week 10. Complex Comorbidities 1

Week 11.  Complex Comorbidities 2

Week 12.  Eating and Feeding Disorders - Treatment

Week 13. Exam

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/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/study/getting-started/student-conduct​

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) 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 or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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 help you improve your marks and take control of your study.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

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

If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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.