EDF5570 · Advanced clinical interventions for mental health

Overview

In this unit, you will build on your foundational counselling, assessment, and case formulation skills by gaining exposure to a range of contemporary psychological interventions used across diverse settings and populations. You will critically examine the theoretical foundations, evidence base, and practical application of approaches such as Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Emotion‑Focused Therapy (EFT), geropsychology, and Narrative Therapy, among others. You will explore how psychological interventions can be adapted to meet the needs of different client presentations, across the lifespan and within varied professional contexts. The unit emphasises culturally responsive, ethical, and evidence‑informed practice in the selection and delivery of interventions. Through case‑based learning, skills practice, and reflective exercises, you will further develop your competencies in therapeutic communication, intervention planning, and the delivery of advanced psychological interventions. This unit supports your ability to respond flexibly and thoughtfully to client needs in applied practice.

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.

Learning outcomes

1. critically appraise the efficacy and effectiveness of contemporary psychological interventions
2. evaluate the appropriateness and application of therapeutic approaches across the lifespan, including culturally responsive and contextually informed intervention considerations
3. integrate case conceptualisation, client preferences, and scientific evidence to develop intervention plans for commonly encountered psychological presentations
4. demonstrate emerging competence in the application of contemporary therapeutic techniques, including collaborative communication and intervention skills
5. critically reflect on intervention processes, therapeutic effectiveness, ethical, and professional practice using evidence-informed and reflexive frameworks.

Workload

The minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per teaching period comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. Usually, you can expect to engage with: A. Semester enrolment • 12 hours (2 day intensive) of scheduled learning delivered on campus via directed learning activities; • 12 hours of scheduled learning delivered online via synchronous directed learning activities; and • the remaining hours to be allocated towards self-directed/independent study B. Term enrolment • 12 hours (2 day intensive) of scheduled learning delivered on campus via directed learning activities; • 12 hours of scheduled learning delivered online via synchronous directed learning activities; and • the remaining hours to be allocated towards self-directed/independent study Scheduled learning activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.