PSY5205 · Introductory placement and case analysis

Overview

This unit supports the first step towards clinical practice for you in your role as a provisionally registered psychologist. You will provide direct service to individuals and/or groups in placement settings. Placements are arranged via a network of providers with due regard given to the professional interests and competencies required of you. You will be closely supervised in accordance with regulatory guidelines. During Case Analysis, you will participate in the discussion with your peers and will present at least one de-identified case from placement. Throughout the unit you will develop a critical approach to various clinical, professional practice and evaluation issues, including psychotherapy process, and treatment approaches for clinical presentations.

Offerings

Assessment

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

Assessment in this unit includes hurdle assessment tasks. Failure of any hurdle assessment task may result in failure of the unit.

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

Requisites

Learning outcomes

1. Knowledge of the discipline - Discuss the role of a provisional psychologist within the clinical placement setting.
2. Legal, ethical and professional matters - Adhere to routine ethical and professional practice standards, including confidentiality, risk and effective note taking.
3. Psychological assessment and measurement - For one or two high prevalence mental health disorders, use and interpret appropriate clinical interviewing and assessment methods (within a Diagnostic Framework) to develop a formulation.
4. Intervention strategies - Apply culturally responsive intervention strategies to treat people with high prevalence, low-complexity mental health disorders.
5. Research and evaluation - In collaboration with a supervisor, develop and evaluate evidence-informed treatment plans/interventions for people with high prevalence mental health presentations and disorders.
6. Communication and interpersonal relationships - Communicate effectively with colleagues, and clients with low-complexity mental health disorders, in oral and written interactions.
7. Reflective practice - With the guidance of a supervisor, self-reflect openly on various aspects of your clinical practice (including process issues).

Workload

You are expected to complete approximately 333 hours in this placement towards your total of 1000 hours of placement (Work Integrated Learning) over the course of your degree. Contact hours for on-campus students: • 333 hours of clinical placement experience including a minimum of approximately 100 direct client activity hours (Permission may be sought to transfer some days and hours between the three placements) • Minimum of 45 hours of supervision • Group supervision sessions no more than 50% of total supervision There will be a one hour weekly applied session (Case Analysis) in which you are also expected to participate. This is included in the 333 hours of clinical placement experience. You are required to attend all scheduled applied sessions unless documentary evidence (such as a medical certificate or statutory declaration) is provided. Minimum attendance to pass the unit is 80%.

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