Students

PSYP8904 – Working with Special Populations

2021 – Session 2, Intensive attendance, North Ryde

Session 2 Learning and Teaching Update

The decision has been made to conduct study online for the remainder of Session 2 for all units WITHOUT mandatory on-campus learning activities. Exams for Session 2 will also be online where possible to do so.

This is due to the extension of the lockdown orders and to provide certainty around arrangements for the remainder of Session 2. We hope to return to campus beyond Session 2 as soon as it is safe and appropriate to do so.

Some classes/teaching activities cannot be moved online and must be taught on campus. You should already know if you are in one of these classes/teaching activities and your unit convenor will provide you with more information via iLearn. If you want to confirm, see the list of units with mandatory on-campus classes/teaching activities.

Visit the MQ COVID-19 information page for more detail.

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Julie Boulis
Joanne Earl
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.

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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

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Oral Presentation on special populations. 40% No 18/08/21
Online learning module on indigenous sensitivity 0% Yes 18/08/21
Special Populations - Trauma Intervention Case Report 60% No 11/08/21

Oral Presentation on special populations.

Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: 18/08/21
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

Online learning module on indigenous sensitivity

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 3 hours
Due: 18/08/21
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

Special Populations - Trauma Intervention Case Report

Assessment Type 1: Case study/analysis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 60 hours
Due: 11/08/21
Weighting: 60%

 

This assessment is a case report (including references and appendices), prepared in the format of a Case Report (Intervention).

 


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 will be delivered entirely online as a result of COVID. 

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

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

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/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.


Unit information based on version 2021.02 of the Handbook