Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

This core unit of the Clinical Psychology courses provides you with the opportunity to develop basic assessment and therapeutic communication skills for practice in clinical psychology. The unit involves supervised client contact in the QUT Psychology Clinic and participation in clinical seminars. The unit is designed to partially meet the relevant supervised practicum requirements for membership of the Australian Psychological Society (APS) and full registration with the PBA.

Aims

The aims of this core unit are to provide you with a basic level of professional knowledge and skills in the practice of clinical psychology, to develop awareness and understanding of ethical guidelines for such practice, and to develop a good standard of professional conduct through supervised clinical practice in the QUT Psychology Clinic.

Objectives

At the successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge and skill appropriate to provision of basic assessment and therapeutic communication in clinical psychology.



2. Deomonstrate understanding and application of the ethical and legal framework for practice as a clinical psychologist, including knowledge of and adherence to the APS Code of Ethics, the Psychology Clinic procedures and other legal obligations associated with psychological practice.



3. Demonstrate competence in communication and professional conduct by: punctuality and organisational skills; managing professional activities; maintaining effective communication with clients, Clinic staff, and external agencies; informing the public and other professions about relevant psychological and clinical services; and where appropriate, communicating information to wider audiences.



4. Demonstrate capacity to utilise the supervision process by delivering case presentations; discussing relevant theoretical and clinical issues; following supervisors' directives; giving and receiving constructive feedback in peer reviews; and complying with the supervision contract.

Content

The Supervised Practicum 1 consists of 250 hours (excl. supervision time) of psychological practice in the QUT Psychology Clinic (except with the prior written approval of the course co-ordinator). The 250 hours must include a minimum of 40 hours direct client contact. The minimum requirement of supervision hours is 60 hours of individual supervision as well as attending case presentations and clinic seminars. You must allocate sufficient time for the undertaking of the supervised practicum (approximately 12 hours per week).

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

Teaching and learning takes place in interactive seminars. Activities include case presentations and discussions about clinical work, development of clinical skills through role play, simulation and related activities and exception of principles of effective clinical communication.

Assessment

Formative Assessment
Formative assessment is ongoing and is provided through your regular contact with your supervisor and weekly case presentations.

Whilst individual strengths and weaknesses, theoretical orientation, particular skills and interests and previous experience may vary, you are expected to demonstrate, and will be assessed on, certain generic skills throughout the course of your placement.

1. Hours of general psychological practice (method of assessment: Logbook, Summary sheet)
   (Objectives 1-4)



2. Hours of direct client contact (method of assessment: Logbook and Client Contact Sheet)
   (Objectives 1-3)



3. Supervision (method of assessment: Supervisor's evaluation, Supervision Logbook)
   (Objectives 2-4)



4. Clinical work (method of assessment: Supervision, Observations, A/V Recordings, Reports, Case File, Case Summary)
   (Objective 1)



5. Case Summary (method of assessment: Assessment of written reports)
   (Objective 3)



6. Psychological Testing (method of assessment: supervision, written report)
   (Objective 1 )



7. Case Study (method of assessment: Written Report)
   (Objective 1)



8. Case Files (method of assessment: Unannounced audits)
   (Objective 3)



9. Logbooks (method of assessment: Unannounced audits, final submission)
   (Objectives 1 and 4)



10. Case presentations (conceptualisation, formulation, ethical issues)
    (Objectives 1 and 2)

A minimum requirement to pass this assessment is a satisfactory end placement report from the internship supervisors. You are not permitted to repeat this unit more than once.

Assessment name: Portfolio
Description: Summative Assessment. You are required to submit a suitably bound placement portfolio comprising:

• a copy of your placement agreement;


• one case study;


• one psychological report;


• a record of supervision sessions;


• a record of activities and summary of placement hours;


• two examples of client related correspondence;


• the completed mid and end of placement review;


• two copies of discharge summaries;


• your student evaluation of placement, and


• a reflective essay on your experience.

Your portfolio will be assessed on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3 & 4.
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End of Placement

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Teyber E. (2006). Interpersonal Process in Therapy: An Integrative Model(5th ed.). USA: Brooks Cole.

Texts and references are subject to change.
Set texts will be confirmed at the start of semester.
Check QUT Blackboard and CMD

Risk assessment statement

There may be out of the ordinary risks associated with placements, eg. exposure to forensic populations, those with impaired judgment due to psychological disorders or intoxication. You will be provided with printed notes relating to safety issues at the beginning of the semester, and you will be reminded of safety guidelines at the beginning of each placement.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 13-Sep-2012