PYN044 Clinical Psychological Interventions 1

Unit Outline: Semester 1 2024, Kelvin Grove, Internal

Overview

This core unit in the Master of Clinical Psychology introduces you to relational psychodynamic approaches and Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT). Contemporary approaches to psychological treatment increasingly emphasise a relational understanding of human problems and change processes. Adaptation is acquired in large part through early experience, interpersonal learning and development, resulting in relational patterns based upon early experiences. The goal of contemporary interpersonal psychodynamic approaches is to enhance awareness of relational patterns with a view to promoting adaptation and addressing current issues. This process may take the form of long to medium-term psychodynamic psychotherapy or interpersonal psychodynamic psychotherapy with its emphasis upon the primacy of subjectivity and current interpersonal issues. The aim of this unit is to provide you with theoretical grounding and practical skills and their application within an integrative framework.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Critically appraise and integrate the major concepts, contributions and evidence-base of the relational psychodynamic and interpersonal therapy approaches covered in the unit to current psychotherapy competency.
2. Competently employ the clinical skills which characterise an interpersonally based psychodynamic approach to the practice of psychotherapy with an adult population.
3. Competently undertake an initial interview to assess the suitability of a client for interpersonally based psychodynamic psychotherapy and arrive at an advanced diagnostic formulation of a client's presenting problems.
4. Articulate an understanding of the theory and practice of the psychodynamic approach within an integrative framework.

Content

Learning Approaches

The unit integrates face-to-face lectures with enriched online learning experience. Face-face classes will typically comprise presentation of theory (supported by online resources), role plays, presentation and discussion of video material of therapy and, if  relevant, group supervision of cases currently being seen by externs. The PYN044 Canvas site is used to convey resource material and broadcast timely messages and alerts to engage learners at key milestones.

PY18 course design is intentionally blended to purposefully integrate active face-to-face learning experiences with blended/online learning experiences across the course consistent with the course learning outcomes, cohort needs and discipline professional practices. Canvas is used within this unit to inform and enhance your learning. All unit material required for learning and completing assessment is included online through Canvas. Additional readings and resources such as web links and video material is also posted where appropriate to expand your ability to advance your knowledge in the unit's subject matter.

A key aim of the unit and course is to support (provisional) psychologists in developing their knowledge, skills and competencies so they are able to provide the best quality care for their clients. Underlying this aim, and in line with registration guidelines, is a focus on ensuring the public's safety.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

You will receive feedback on your skills and conceptualisation as a part of the class activities. You will receive written feedback for the two assessments, which will help you further develop your psychotherapy skills.

Assessment

Overview

The assessment in this unit will be summative and will engage you in authentic therapeutic processes and work as a psychologist. Criteria for each piece of assessment will be discussed in Week 1.

You will receive a numerical mark for your case study and video. Feedback will be provided on these submissions according to the criteria and standards provided in the rubric. At the end of semester, your mark for both items will be summed and weighted and will contribute to your overall percentage. At the end of semester, marks for summative assessment items will be summed and weighted (50% each) to determine your overall percentage.

Note that prior to release of marks, the unit coordinator undertakes a moderation process to ensure that criteria and standards have been applied consistently and fairly. A percentage of assignments will be reviewed by an independent marker against the criteria explicated in the marking rubric. Final grades are not confirmed until reviewed by the relevant Faculty Assessment Committee and approved by the Executive Dean at the completion of each teaching period.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Case Study

The first assignment comprises both a written submission and a related oral presentation. You will prepare a written psychoanalytic case formulation and treatment plan for a case that relates either to your externship or using one of the supplied theoretical cases. You will also include a literature review that explores the type of therapy you have proposed for the client including a review of the research of the efficacy of this approach (2250 words). You will then engage in a brief presentation of your case to your peers and prepare a written reflection of the experience of presenting and receiving other's thoughts on the presentation from a psychoanalytic perspective (750 words). The assignment will be marked against a rubric; more information will be supplied to you in Week 1.

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Assessment: Video

You will submit a 30 minute video demonstrating the clinical skills covered in the unit and/or the core methods of treatment covered in assessment 1. It would be preferable to use clinical material (where you have permission) or a role-play of a therapy session. The purpose is to demonstrate three core skills: developing a relationship, finding a focus for the therapy, and demonstrate a key intervention skill which is core to your chosen perspective. Your video will be accompanied by a 1500 word reflective paper in the form of a credo. Your credo should draw upon your reflections over the course of the unit and include your understanding of underlying principles and beliefs which guide your work, the psychodynamics of the case, your personal experience of the client, and a critical appraisal of your performance (both in terms of the relational elements and the meaning-making elements) evidenced in the video. The assignment will be marked against a rubric; more information will be supplied to you in Week 1.

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension. 

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Requirements to Study

Requirements

Registration with provisional conditions or full registration with the AHPRA is required to undertake this unit.

Resources

Resource Materials

Prescribed text(s)

McWilliams, N. (2004). Psychoanalytic psychotherapy: A practitioner's guide. Guilford Press.

Recommended text(s)

McWilliams, N. (1999). Psychoanalytic case formulation. Guildford Press. 

Robinson, D. (2022). The Mental Status Exam explained. Rapid Psychler Press.

Summers, R. F., & Barber, J. P. (2013). Psychodynamic therapy : A guide to evidence-based practice. Guilford Press.

Risk Assessment Statement

You should be aware that some content in this unit may be confronting to certain audiences. Please exercise your own discretion when participating in classroom activities or discussions. The QUT Student Counselling service is also available and free of charge to all QUT students.

Course Learning Outcomes

PY18 Master of Clinical Psychology

1. Apply advanced and specialised knowledge of Clinical Psychology to plan, assess, treat and manage clients with mental disorders and conditions, across the lifespan and from a range of backgrounds, including accessing, evaluating and utilising digital health information.
   Relates to: Case Study, Video
2. Engage in the development and evaluation of evidence-based interventions, using advanced critical thinking and decision making skills, applying professional values and reflective practice to inform culturally safe and effective intra- and inter-professional collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders.
   Relates to: Video
3. Promote and practice effective written, oral and digital communication to analyse and convey complex information and build productive professional relationships.
   Relates to: Case Study
4. Deliver Clinical Psychology services with a high degree of professionalism and reflective practice.
   Relates to: Video