PSY8050 Clinical Assessment and Intervention II

Contents

• Staffing
• Requisites
• Rationale
• Synopsis
• Objectives
• Topics
• Reference materials
• Student workload
• Assessment details
• Important assessment information
• Assessment notes
• Production date
• PDF version

STAFFING

REQUISITES

RATIONALE

The practitioner addressing psychological problems requires a broad understanding of therapeutic methods that have been demonstrated to be effective within health contexts. This course critically reviews the research literature on interventions that reduce the psychological impact of physical and mental illness and minimise stress and health risks related to lifestyle factors. It develops students' competencies to plan and implement cognitive-behavioural interventions for these problems.

SYNOPSIS

This course addresses principles and practice of supportive behavioural and cognitive-behaviour therapy in relation to common psychological problems such as anxiety, depression and maladaptive reactions related to physical and mental illness, stressful events and lifestyles. This material will be presented through practical skill development workshops. It will then progress to meeting placement needs of individual students using videotaped therapy sessions with clients.

OBJECTIVES

On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

1. demonstrate competencies as identified in APS Competencies for Psychologists (1996); assessed through participation in workshop exercises and exam
2. design, implement and evaluate individual interventions based on a broad knowledge of literature and research regarding individual psychological interventions related to the practice of psychology; assessed through CBT plan case study to be submitted and exam
3. provide a competent, professional service to individuals experiencing health problems through: developing skills at a level of competence commensurate with their previous professional experience, acquiring knowledge of professional and ethical issues, critically analysing issues implicated in the use of intervention techniques with clientele presenting with a variety of health issues, appropriately applying cognitive-behavioural interventions across a variety of clientele, cognitive-behavioural interventions across a variety of clientele, considering age, gender and cultural sensitivities, designing and implementing stress reduction programs, promoting client self-help skills; assessed through participation in workshop exercises and exam.
4. demonstrate proficiency in professional communication and client/community relations through: writing and presenting reports of intervention plans and outcomes, assessing the ecological validity of proposed interventions, critically reviewing the efficacy of interventions; assessed through CBT plan case study and exam.

TOPICS

TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed

ALL textbooks and materials are available for purchase from USQ BOOKSHOP (unless otherwise stated). Orders may be placed via secure internet, free fax 1800642453, phone 07 46312742 (within Australia), or mail. Overseas students should fax +61 7 46311743, or phone +61 7 46312742. For costs, further details, and internet ordering, use the 'Textbook Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au click 'Semester', then enter your 'Course Code' (no spaces).

REFERENCE MATERIALS

Reference materials are materials that, if accessed by students, may improve their knowledge and understanding of the material in the course and enrich their learning experience.

Bellack, AS & Hersen, M 1990, Handbook of comparative treatments for adult disorders, John Wiley, New York.

Granvold, DK 1994, Cognitive and behavioural treatment: methods and applications, Brooks/Cole, Pacific Grove, CA.

Lewis, J, Sperry, L & Carlson 1993, Health counseling, Brooks/Cole, Pacific Grove, CA.

Llewellyn, S & Kennedy, P 2003, Handbook of clinical health psychology, John Wiley & Sons, Chichester, England.

Meth, RL & Pasick, RS (eds) 1990, Men in therapy: the challenge of change, The Guilford Press, New York.

Nathan, P & Gorman, J (eds) 2002, A guide to treatments that work, 2nd edn, Oxford University Press, New York.

Simos, G 2002, Cognitive behaviour therapy: a guide for the practising clinician, Brunner-Routledge, London.

Worell, J & Remer, P 1996, Feminist perspectives in therapy: an empowerment model for women, John Wiley, Chichester, New York.

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS

ASSESSMENT DETAILS

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

1. Attendance requirements:
   To ensure that students can satisfy the objectives of the practical component of the unit, attendance at all workshops for this course is compulsory. The intervention skills component of this course will be taught in three, two day workshops held on campus. During these workshops students will engage in practice of intervention techniques with respect to a range of health problems. Attendance at the workshops is compulsory.
2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
   To complete each of the assessment items satisfactorily, students must obtain at least 50% of the marks available for each assessment item.
3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
   If students submit assignments after the due date without (prior) approval of the examiner then a penalty of 5% of the total marks gained by the student for the assignment may apply for each working day late up to ten working days at which time a mark of zero may be recorded
4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
   To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must achieve at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course.
5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
   Final grades for students will be determined by the addition of the marks obtained in each assessment item, weighted as in the Assessment Details.
6. Examination information:
   The case study class test requires students to diagnose the psychological problems of a person described in a case study and to list therapy options and considerations. This will be an in-class one and a half hour closed book test. In a Closed Examination, candidates are allowed to bring only writing and drawing instruments into the examination.
7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
   There will be no Deferred or Supplementary examinations in this course.
8. University Regulations:
   Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6. Assessment, and 5.10 Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene University Regulations. These regulations can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm or in the current USQ Handbook.

ASSESSMENT NOTES

This version produced 20 Nov 2008.