Credit points: 12

Mode of delivery: Online

Unit Description:

This unit is a core unit in the Graduate Diploma of Professional Psychology Practice.
The unit provides advanced training in key areas of psychological assessment, psychological interventions, ethical practice and professional communication, as well as support in preparing for the National Psychology Examination.

PSYC5432 Professional Psychology: Assessment, Intervention, Ethics and Communication provides students with advanced training in four key areas of professional practice.

1. Cognitive, behavioural, and psychosocial assessment
2. Knowledge of evidence-based interventions and their application including specific therapy techniques.
3. Ethical, legal and professional practice including key elements of legal frameworks important for psychology practice and working ethically with vulnerable groups.
4. Skills in developing effective professional communication. These modules contain a specific focus on knowledge and sensitivity to communication issues when working with clients from cultural backgrounds, identities and/or beliefs different to one’s own.

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this unit the student should be able to:

1. Demonstrate understanding of the role of psychological assessment in professional psychology practice
2. Demonstrate capacity to select and interpret a range of psychological assessment tools and techniques
3. Demonstrate understanding of the fundamental principles and evidence-base of a range of interventions
4. Demonstrate understanding of ethical and professional standards for psychologists
5. Demonstrate understanding of the elements of effective communication for professional psychology practice
6. Demonstrate skills in identifying issues that may arise when working with clients from cultural backgrounds, identities and / or beliefs different to one’s own.

Learning and Teaching Process:

This unit requires students to complete eight compulsory online modules across the year.

The modules each include 7.5 hours of evidence-based online content associated with student-focused, active learning activities that provide the knowledge-base for the topic area, support skill development and prepare students for the National Psychology Examination. Each module follows the same basic delivery format of three 2.5 hour chapters. Associated readings, formative and summative assessments throughout this unit are estimated to take an additional 4.5 hours per week.

Credit points: 12

Mode of delivery: On-campus and online

Unit Description:

This unit is a core unit in the Graduate Diploma of Professional Psychology Practice program. Supervision is an integral part of training as a psychologist and is a mandatory part of all training programs. The supervisory relationship provides a context where provisional psychologists receive feedback on their application of theoretical knowledge, skills acquisition, reflective practice, ethical and professional practice and overall progress to becoming a fully registered psychologist. The aim of supervision is to help students recognise gaps in their knowledge and practice, and to work together to develop the skills required to work with clients. By completing PSYC5422, students will meet the supervision requirements of a 6th year internship program as stated by the Psychology Board of Australia.

In this unit, students will complete a total of 80 hours of supervision whilst completing external placements. Completion of these 80 hours of supervision will allow them to meet the Psychology Board of Australia’s requirements for supervision as part of the 6^th year internship program.

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this unit the student should be able to:

1. Demonstrate capacity to develop effective supervisory relationship
2. Demonstrate appropriate professional demeanor
3. Demonstrate skills for safe professional practice
4. Demonstrate the capacity to work collaboratively with supervisor(s)
5. Demonstrate a growing self-awareness of one’s performance as a therapist
6. Develop skills in self-reflection

Learning and Teaching Process:

During the course of this unit, students are expected to complete 80 hours of supervision, provided at a ratio of one hour of supervision for every 17.5 hours of practice. Each session of supervision will occur for at least one hour duration, however over the course of the internship up to 10 hours of shorter sessions may be claimed.

Supervision may involve case discussion/presentations, reviewing videos of the student conducting therapy, role plays to demonstrate skills, as well as discussion of professional, legal, and ethical issues. As per PsyBA requirements, the supervisor must observe (directly or via videotape) at least two psychological assessments and two intervention sessions every six months (hours must be recorded).

Of the 80 hours of supervision, 50 hours of supervision must be conducted individually with the principal supervisor.

The remaining 30 hours can be made up of any of the following:

1. 1. Individual or group supervision with the principal supervisor;
   2. Individual or group supervision with one or more secondary supervisors;\
   3. Up to 10 hours of asynchronous individual supervision (e.g. draft reports or draft correspondence to the supervisor). Time to be based on both the supervisor’s estimate of time spent writing feedback and the interns’ time reading and reflecting on the feedback. PsyBA suggests one-page report/letter – 15 minutes; three-page report on an individual client – 45 minutes; case study – 90 minutes.

Students should expect to spend additional time each week in undertaking activities to prepare for supervision, such as reading, reviewing videotapes, and completing documentation that the supervisor is required to review.

Credit points: 24

Mode of delivery: Field placement

Unit Description:

This unit is a core unit in the Graduate Diploma of Professional Psychology Practice program. The main objective of PSYC5412 is to assist students in developing their skills within a professional practice setting, thus enabling them to meet the course objectives and to demonstrate professional competencies. Workplaces where psychological practice is conducted include corporations, educational settings, government departments, health and welfare and community agencies, group private practices, and non-profit organisations.

In this unit, students will complete a total of 1,360 hours of supervised practice across approximately 48 weeks. This practice will occur within the context of external internship site/s. Completion of 1,360 hours of supervised practice will allow students to meet the Psychology Board of Australia’s requirements for supervised practice as part of the 6^th year internship program.

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate core counselling and interviewing skills
2. Demonstrate skills in administering, scoring, interpreting and communicating information about assessments
3. Demonstrate skills in psychological formulation and applying diagnosis
4. Demonstrate skills for implementing treatment plans utilising evidence-based frameworks
5. Demonstrate awareness of issues associated with working with individuals from backgrounds different to one’s own
6. Demonstrate behaviour that is consistent with the legal requirements and professional codes of conduct relevant to professional psychology practice

Learning and Teaching Process:

This unit requires students to:

Participate actively and satisfactorily in their nominated placement/internship throughout the course of the trimester, accruing at least 1,360 hours in total. If completed in 48 weeks (the standard time) this would be ~28 hours / week.

The placement activities require that students undertake psychological assessment, diagnosis, intervention, prevention, treatment, consultation, and providing advice and strategies under the guidance of a supervisor. These activities include:

500 hours of direct client contact, where up to 60 hours can be focused on skill acquisition in the form of simulated client contact learning activities;

At least 860 hours of other client-related activities, such as scoring and interpreting tests, writing reports, client-related phone calls, organising appointments and fulfilling rostered intake duties.