Students
PSYP8904 – Working with Special Populations
2020 – Session 2, Special circumstance
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
Download as PDF
| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Joanne Earl
Julie Boulis
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MProfPsych
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
In this unit, students will be introduced to a range of presentations that pose special challenges for professional psychologists in terms of assessment and clinical management, including: indigenous and CALD clients; clients with psychosis; clients with alcohol and/or substance abuse problems; clients experiencing one or more forms of trauma; clients experiencing grief and loss; and clients at risk of self-harm and/or suicidality. The focus is on the unique challenges posed by these different presentations and on the approaches to assessment, counselling and clinical management most likely to be effective for each. Where appropriate, the use of additional therapeutic modalities is presented. . |
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: Demonstrate knowledge of psychopathology and define evidence-based therapy for a range of child, adolescent, and adult psychological disorders, including cognitive and behavioural approaches to diagnosing, assessing, and treating traumatised clients across the lifespan.
- ULO2: Analyse and integrate Emotional Focused Therapy theory and principles with procedural techniques used in Relationship counselling
- ULO3: Apply communication skills effectively in writing and oral presentations with clients and other professionals
- ULO4: Summarise and analyse pharmacotherapy, its mechanisms of action, and the effects of drugs to facilitate effective communication with other carers
- ULO5: Evaluate the issues and obstacles for delivering effective cultural psychological interventions particularly, with Indigenous Australians, diverse and vulnerable populations
General Assessment Information
Please see iLearn for detailed descriptions of assessment requirements and the rubrics used to provide feedback. Students must attempt all assessment tasks to achieve a grade of pass or higher in this unit
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online learning module on indigenous sensitivity | 0% | Yes | 30th September 2020 |
| Oral Presentation on special populations. | 40% | No | 7th October 2020 |
| Special Population Suicide Assessment | 60% | No | 13th September 2020 |
Online learning module on indigenous sensitivity
Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 3 hours
Due: 30th September 2020
Weighting: 0%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
Students are required to complete an online learning module on indigenous sensitivity and submit the quiz on completion of the module.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Evaluate the issues and obstacles for delivering effective cultural psychological interventions particularly, with Indigenous Australians, diverse and vulnerable populations
Oral Presentation on special populations.
Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: 7th October 2020
Weighting: 40%
Oral Presentation, thirty minutes in duration, detailing interventions and treatment within special populations.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of psychopathology and define evidence-based therapy for a range of child, adolescent, and adult psychological disorders, including cognitive and behavioural approaches to diagnosing, assessing, and treating traumatised clients across the lifespan.
- Analyse and integrate Emotional Focused Therapy theory and principles with procedural techniques used in Relationship counselling
- Apply communication skills effectively in writing and oral presentations with clients and other professionals
- Summarise and analyse pharmacotherapy, its mechanisms of action, and the effects of drugs to facilitate effective communication with other carers
Special Population Suicide Assessment
Assessment Type 1: Case study/analysis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 60 hours
Due: 13th September 2020
Weighting: 60%
In 3000 words, students analyse a case study, interpret assessments and formulate an intervention plan.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of psychopathology and define evidence-based therapy for a range of child, adolescent, and adult psychological disorders, including cognitive and behavioural approaches to diagnosing, assessing, and treating traumatised clients across the lifespan.
- Analyse and integrate Emotional Focused Therapy theory and principles with procedural techniques used in Relationship counselling
- Apply communication skills effectively in writing and oral presentations with clients and other professionals
- Summarise and analyse pharmacotherapy, its mechanisms of action, and the effects of drugs to facilitate effective communication with other carers
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
This unit has classes scheduled on August 1st (9am - 4pm) and August 12th (9am - 12pm).
Unit Schedule
Workshop 1 - Saturday August 1st - (Full Day) Trauma Counselling
Workshop 2 - Wednesday August 12th - (Morning) eMental Health and (Afternoon) Grief and Loss Counselling
Workshop 3 - Wednesday September 2nd - (Morning) Psychoses and (Afternoon) Alcohol & Substance Abuse
Workshop 4 - Saturday September 12th - (Morning) Working with Older Adults and (Afternoon) Indigenous Populations via online www.yourmoblearning.org
Workshop 5 - Wednesday October 7th - Oral presentations in small groups. Sessions are conducted in the morning and afternoon.
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:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy (Note: The Special Consideration Policy is effective from 4 December 2017 and replaces the Disruption to Studies Policy.)
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.