Students
PSYC8984 – Clinical Psychology Professional Practice
2021 – Session 2, Special circumstances, 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
Download as PDF
| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Convenor
Philippe Gilchrist
Contact via Email
Level 7, 4 First Walk, Room 705
Email for appointments
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| Credit points |
Credit points
10
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
(PSYC988 or PSYC8988) and (PSYC989 or PSYC8989)
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
(PSYC993 or PSYC8993) and (PSYC995 or PSYC8995)
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit will focus on the advanced professional practice skills necessary for a well-rounded competent therapist. Drawing upon the common factors related to the client-therapist relationship, issues of therapeutic integration will be explored when working with diverse groups. Students will develop skills in analysing the client-therapist relationship through a consideration of the therapeutic process to ensure well targeted therapeutic interventions. These skills and principles will be emphasised in application to diverse populations using primarily cognitive behavioural approaches, and in the light of ethical considerations.
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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: Report upon the therapeutic relationship through different modes of delivery, complex disorders, severe comorbidities, and diverse populations.
- ULO2: Demonstrate both a creative and critical understanding of theory and evidence-based therapy integration
- ULO3: Critically evaluate the prediction, prevention, and techniques to overcome resistance in cognitive behavioural therapy and other evidence-based approaches.
- ULO4: Demonstrate a critical and current understanding of common and specific factors in therapy, and its implication for clinical practice.
- ULO5: Demonstrate an understanding of methods of clinical supervision, and how to overcome common challenges to effective clinical practice.
General Assessment Information
Please see links to the Assessment Policy and the Special Consideration Policy in the Policies and Procedures section of this Unit Guide.
Late submissions
All assessment tasks have a strict due date. Ordinarily, no extensions of time for submission of assessment tasks will be granted. If students experience unexpected, unavoidable, and serious circumstances affecting submission of assessable work they may lodge an application for Special Consideration via ask.mq.edu.au with supporting documentary evidence. Please note that special consideration must be made no later than the University-specified number of working days after the due date of the assessment task (see ask.mq.edu.au for details). Where special consideration has not been granted, late submissions will not be accepted.
Hurdle requirements
All of the assessment tasks are hurdle requirements - they require a minimum level of performance in order for students to pass the Unit. The assessment tasks allow demonstration of 'fitness to practice' as a clinical psychologist. Consistent with the Assessment Policy of the University, students who make a serious attempt at the task but fail to meet the required standards, will be provided with one additional opportunity to complete the task to a satisfactory standard. Failure of the second attempt will result in a Fail (FH) grade for the entire unit (even if the raw mark for the Unit is over 50) and this, in turn, will result in a delay in starting the Clinic placement or further placements. The required standards for the hurdle tasks will be provided via iLearn prior to completion of the task.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Case Report | 15% | Yes | Week 4 |
| Case Report | 30% | Yes | Week 8 |
| Self-Reflective Report | 25% | Yes | Week 10 |
| Viva with a follow up self- reflective report | 30% | Yes | Week 13 |
Case Report
Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Week 4
Weighting: 15%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
Based upon a client vignette provided, the aim of this reflective 750 word report is to discuss theory, principles, and techniques in treatment that relate to overcoming resistance and maintaining a strong therapeutic alliance in CBT for complex diagnoses.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Report upon the therapeutic relationship through different modes of delivery, complex disorders, severe comorbidities, and diverse populations.
- Critically evaluate the prediction, prevention, and techniques to overcome resistance in cognitive behavioural therapy and other evidence-based approaches.
- Demonstrate a critical and current understanding of common and specific factors in therapy, and its implication for clinical practice.
Case Report
Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 31 hours
Due: Week 8
Weighting: 30%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
Based upon a case provided, and drawing upon factors related to the therapeutic relationship and specific evidence-based techniques, students will demonstrate competency in the theory and practice of therapeutic integration of different approaches to psychotherapy in relation to complex diagnoses. The report is 1500 words.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Report upon the therapeutic relationship through different modes of delivery, complex disorders, severe comorbidities, and diverse populations.
- Demonstrate both a creative and critical understanding of theory and evidence-based therapy integration
- Critically evaluate the prediction, prevention, and techniques to overcome resistance in cognitive behavioural therapy and other evidence-based approaches.
- Demonstrate a critical and current understanding of common and specific factors in therapy, and its implication for clinical practice.
Self-Reflective Report
Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 32 hours
Due: Week 10
Weighting: 25%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
Drawing upon material from the unit, students will briefly describe clinical settings where they expect potential challenges, including ways to overcome these. The report is 1500 words.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of methods of clinical supervision, and how to overcome common challenges to effective clinical practice.
Viva with a follow up self- reflective report
Assessment Type 1: Viva/oral examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 2 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 30%
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 incorporates advanced clinical and counselling skills and techniques to working with complex diagnoses in a multidisciplinary setting, and overcoming resistance. Following the viva, a 500 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 upon the therapeutic relationship through different modes of delivery, complex disorders, severe comorbidities, and diverse populations.
- Demonstrate both a creative and critical understanding of theory and evidence-based therapy integration
- Critically evaluate the prediction, prevention, and techniques to overcome resistance in cognitive behavioural therapy and other evidence-based approaches.
- Demonstrate a critical and current understanding of common and specific factors in therapy, and its implication for clinical practice.
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 will include weekly seminars (e.g., didactic methods, debates, and self-reflection), group work and discussions, videos/audio clips, some practical skills training, and use of other materials. NB: a portion of this work will occur outside of the seminar time -e.g., as recommended preparation for weekly seminars as indicated on iLearn. This Unit will aim to integrate science, theory, and critical thinking as the foundation for approaches to clinical practice which can be subsequently applied. Students are required to prepare for seminars by completing readings and/or material (e.g., videos, links, etc.) available via iLearn. Additional resources and reading material will be provided throughout the course during the relevant sections. Engagement with material and participation in class is essential.
In line with Public Health guidelines, the approach to delivery in this Unit will be revised if and when necessary due to the COVID pandemic, and in alignment with University policy. Changes or updates will be communicated via iLearn and/or emails sent to student email accounts. Students should stay up to date with the latest University advice at the following website: https://www.mq.edu.au/about/coronavirus-faqs/information-for-students.
Unit Schedule
Please see iLearn for schedule. Timetables for seminars, where applicable, can be found on the University website at: https://timetables.mq.edu.au/2021
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:
- 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
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