PYN613 Advanced Clinical Psychology Practice

Unit Outline: Semester 2 2024, Kelvin Grove, Internal

Overview

This unit will present students with the opportunity to explore topics at a more advanced level that are relevant to clinical psychologists, preparing students for completing their studies and entering professional practice. The aim of the unit is to aid students' development of the conceptual and practical skills expected of a clinical psychologist working in the field. This unit is made up of a number of advanced topics that will represent broad areas relevant to clinical practice that will consolidate and extend on content covered in the degree to this point.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Employ an integrated approach to the analysis of advanced topics relevant to clinical psychology.
2. Implement skills in designing socially and culturally appropriate formulations and interventions for complex and severe presentations and diverse populations.
3. Demonstrate self-awareness of professional identity as a psychologist and capacity to reflect on current learning and future goals for professional development.

Content

Learning Approaches

The unit comprises face-to-face lectures which may include didactic input, practical demonstrations, workshop activities, discussions of case study material, role plays and student presentations.

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

Feedback will take the form of written feedback on your submitted assessment. There will also be the opportunity for peer feedback and discussion at various points in the semester.

Assessment

Overview

All assessment tasks are graded on a scale from 1 to 7. You must pass all assessment items by achieving a grade of 4 on each item to pass the unit. Criteria for this assessment will be discussed in Week 1.

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. Actively reading the feedback provided will enhance your learning success. 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: Implementing the Metacognitive Model in Therapy for Complex Presentations

Produce a 45-60 minute video that demonstrates the following:

• A metacognitive formulation.
• Clinical skills in implementing and integrating different therapeutic techniques based upon a metacognitive model.
• Your clinical decision making in applying the metacognitive model to a client with a complex presentation.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Threshold Assessment:

As both assessments in this unit involve the demonstration of distinct clinical competencies required of Clinical Psychologists, you must pass both assessments (50%, Grade of 4) in order to pass the unit. Students who come within 10% of passing the assessment will have the opportunity to resubmit in order to pass the unit.

Assessment: Advanced Clinical Skills in Treating Psychological Trauma

Produce a 45-60 minute video that demonstrates the following:

1. Your clinical skills in implementing therapeutic strategies for the treatment of psychological trauma.
2. Your understanding of the proposed mechanisms of change for these therapeutic strategies.
3. Your understanding of how to modify therapy for an indigenous client with psychological trauma in a culturally sensitive way.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Threshold Assessment:

As both assessments in this unit involve the demonstration of distinct clinical competencies required of Clinical Psychologists, you must pass both assessments (50%, Grade of 4) in order to pass the unit. Students who come within 10% of passing the assessment will have the opportunity to resubmit in order to pass the unit.

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.

Resources

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: ULO1, Implementing the Metacognitive Model in Therapy for Complex Presentations
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: ULO2
3. Promote and practice effective written, oral and digital communication to analyse and convey complex information and build productive professional relationships.
   Relates to: Implementing the Metacognitive Model in Therapy for Complex Presentations, Advanced Clinical Skills in Treating Psychological Trauma
4. Deliver Clinical Psychology services with a high degree of professionalism and reflective practice.
   Relates to: ULO3, Advanced Clinical Skills in Treating Psychological Trauma