Admission and Unit Information - Master of Psychology (Clinical Psychology)

In this unit students acquire basic counselling and intervention skills, and familiarity with the ethical, legal, and professional aspects of psychological practice. The theoretical underpinnings of evidence-based intervention strategies and ethical practice are critically examined, and students develop their professional understanding of the codes and guidelines of the Australian Psychological Society and Psychology Board of Australia, and the relevant State and Commonwealth Acts and Regulations of Parliament. Major practice problems faced by psychologists and modes of resolution acceptable within the profession are considered.

This unit provides a comprehensive introduction to the psychological assessment of children, adolescents and adults. It is designed to assist students in the professional psychology programs to develop theoretical knowledge and practical skills in the assessment of clients. Through lectures, seminars and independent study, students will become familiar with the current theoretical and empirical foundations of psychological assessment, and the application of these theories and research findings to the development of empirically-based assessment practice. Students will be introduced to contemporary practice in the assessment of cognition, behaviour, mood, personality, and other psychological constructs, and popular psychological measures of these functions will be critically evaluated. Training in the administration of key instruments will be provided. Students will be instructed in the integration of assessment data into clinically-useful reports. Different approaches to psychological assessment will be compared and evaluated. Ethical and professional issues in psychological assessment will be discussed.

This unit provides a comprehensive examination of the nature and assessment of adult psychopathology. Students will review the origins and structure of current diagnostic systems, and examine the diagnostic criteria for a range of major psychopathological syndromes. Skills in the assessment of adult disorders through interview will be acquired.

This unit provides an introduction to the theory and practice of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT). It provides basic instruction in case formulation and the development of treatment plans and interventions for specific psychological disorders. A widely used and evidence-based form of therapy, CBT is an important tool for psychologists working in diverse settings. The unit is designed to describe the theoretical and historical foundations of CBT, develop foundational skills in CBT assessment and therapy, and nurture critical appreciation of the effectiveness of CBT across a number of applications.

This unit continues the study of clinical psychopathology. Students will examine the nature and assessment of a range of complex psychopathological syndromes, including schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders; eating disorders; personality disorders; substance-related disorders; dissociative disorders; and sexual and gender identity disorders.

This unit introduces the nature, assessment and treatment of psychological disorders in children and adolescents. Students will examine the diagnostic classification, epidemiology and aetiology of common psychological problems, including anxiety disorders, depression, behaviour disorders, learning disabilities, and attention-deficit disorder. The theoretical and empirical foundations of a range of cognitive and behavioural techniques will be discussed, along with a number of major conceptual and practical issues in the treatment of psychological disorders in childhood and adolescence.

Clinical psychology is a fast evolving discipline, and practitioners need to be able to respond to changing health needs of the population. This unit will prepare students to analyse health policy to identify changing demands for clinical psychology services; explore the theories, methods, and effectiveness of new and emerging therapies; prepare students to apply psychological principles to unfamiliar clinical populations; prepare students for working in clinical teams; and, introduce students to the practice of clinical psychology with more complex client groups and more complex presentations. The unit will also examine the professional and organisational roles of clinical psychologists in these settings.

A capacity to understand and critique published empirical research findings, and evaluate the effectiveness and outcomes of therapeutic interventions and treatment programs is essential to the professional psychologist as a scientist-practitioner. This unit assumes a good grasp of undergraduate level research methods and equips students with advanced skills in utilising the research literature to guide and enhance their professional practice; design interventions to test clinically relevant hypotheses; design and implement program evaluations; and critically evaluate the effectiveness of interventions and programs based on empirical evidence. It includes instruction in quantitative and qualitative methods; research design, including single case design; and methods of data analysis.

The Campbelltown Campus offering for this unit is located at Lifeline Macarthur, 13 McPherson Road, Narellan, for more information please contact the unit coordinator. This introductory placement unit is designed to allow students to begin to apply the theoretical knowledge and skills they have gained in the following units: Core Skills & Ethical Practice; Psychological Assessment; Clinical Psychopathology 1 and Psychological Interventions 1.

This unit provides a comprehensive introduction to contemporary neuropsychological theories, methods and measures, including understanding of acquired cognitive disorders. The nature of the cognitive systems involved in attention, memory, language, spatial processing, and executive functions will be reviewed, with discussion of the neuropsychological assessment of each of these systems. The unit also includes coverage of the classification, use and efficacy of common psychopharmacological agents. The unit will stress the importance of neural abnormalities in patients, and how these are related to symptoms and behavioural dysfunction. Psychological, pharmacological and surgical treatments for neuropsychological disorders will also be discussed.

The Campbelltown Campus offering for this unit is located at Lifeline Macarthur, 13 McPherson Road, Narellan, for more information please contact the unit coordinator.This introductory placement unit is designed to allow students to begin to apply the theoretical knowledge and skills they have gained in the following units: Core Skills & Ethical Practice; Psychological Assessment; Clinical Psychopathology 1 and Psychological Interventions 1.

Placements give students the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills in the areas of assessment, therapy and professional conduct. Each student is required to undertake a total of 1000 hours of supervised placement, divided into 3 or 4 placements. A Learning Contract outlining placement activities is completed (in consultation with the Placement Supervisor) and is submitted to the Placement Coordinator prior to the commencement of the placement. Attendance in accordance with the Learning Contract is required. This placement unit is designed to allow students to develop their clinical and professional skills.

Placements give students the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills in the areas of assessment, therapy and professional conduct. Each student is required to undertake a total of 1000 hours of supervised placement, divided into 3 or 4 placements. A Learning Contract outlining placement activities is completed (in consultation with the Placement Supervisor) and is submitted to the Placement Coordinator prior to the commencement of the placement. Attendance in accordance with the Learning Contract is required. This placement unit is designed to allow students to develop their clinical and professional skills.

Placements give students the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills in the areas of assessment, therapy and professional conduct. Each student is required to undertake a total of 1000 hours of supervised placement, divided into 3 or 4 placements. A Learning Contract outlining placement activities is completed (in consultation with the Placement Supervisor) and is submitted to the Placement Coordinator prior to the commencement of the placement. Attendance in accordance with the Learning Contract is required. This placement unit is designed to allow students to develop their clinical and professional skills.

The research project is a piece of independent research conducted by students, under supervision, over a one-year period. It is conducted in an area of relevance to professional practice, and has as its central focus the scientific analysis of a problem. Students can choose from a range of approved research designs, but must undertake a review of the relevant literature, formulation of a research question, design of an appropriate method, collection and analysis of data, interpretation of findings, and the production of a research report of no less than 5000 words.

In this unit students acquire an understanding of how biological, psychological, and social factors interact in health and illness, and how the principles and intervention strategies of clinical psychology can be applied to the management of physical disorders. The practice of this branch of clinical psychology requires an understanding of the biological, psychological, and social characteristics of people with chronic and acute illness, their symptoms, the medical interventions they encounter, and the appropriate psychological interventions to help manage their conditions and enhance quality of life.

The research project is a piece of independent research conducted by students, under supervision, over a one-year period. It is conducted in an area of relevance to professional practice, and has as its central focus the scientific analysis of a problem. Students can choose from a range of approved research designs, but must undertake a review of the relevant literature, formulation of a research question, design of an appropriate method, collection and analysis of data, interpretation of findings, and the production of a research report of no less than 5000 words.

Placements give students the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills in the areas of assessment, therapy and professional conduct. Each student is required to undertake a total of 1000 hours of supervised placement, divided into 3 or 4 placements. A Learning Contract outlining placement activities is completed (in consultation with the Placement Supervisor) and is submitted to the Placement Coordinator prior to the commencement of the placement. Attendance in accordance with the Learning Contract is required. This placement unit is designed to allow students to develop their clinical and professional skills.

Placements give students the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills in the areas of assessment, therapy and professional conduct. Each student is required to undertake a total of 1000 hours of supervised placement, divided into 3 or 4 placements. A Learning Contract outlining placement activities is completed (in consultation with the Placement Supervisor) and is submitted to the Placement Coordinator prior to the commencement of the placement. Attendance in accordance with the Learning Contract is required. This placement unit is designed to allow students to develop their clinical and professional skills.

Placements give students the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills in the areas of assessment, therapy and professional conduct. Each student is required to undertake a total of 1000 hours of supervised placement, divided into 3 or 4 placements. A Learning Contract outlining placement activities is completed (in consultation with the Placement Supervisor) and is submitted to the Placement Coordinator prior to the commencement of the placement. Attendance in accordance with the Learning Contract is required. This placement unit is designed to allow students to develop their clinical and professional skills.