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 Master of Counselling Psychology program provides you with opportunity to develop psychodiagnostic assessment and counselling skills. This unit consists of supervised psychological practice at an external agency where relevant psychological practice is conducted. The unit is designed to meet the relevant supervised practicum requirements of the Australian Psychological Society (APS) and the Queensland Psychologists Registration Board.

Aims

The aim of this core unit is to enhance your level of professional knowledge and skills in the practice of clinical psychology, awareness of ethical guidelines, and a good standard of professional conduct through supervised clinical practice in a selected field of psychological practice.

Objectives

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

1. Articulate and demonstrate an appropriate level of competence in knowledge, psychological assessment and intervention strategies in counselling psychology.


2. Demonstrate competence in ethical, legal and professional matters including knowledge of and adherence to the APS Code of Ethics, Psychology Clinic procedures and legal requirements involved in psychological practice.


3. Demonstrate competence in relation to communication and professional conduct in: meeting placement requirements; 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 counselling services; critically appraising psychological research and communicate information to wider audiences.


4. Demonstrate a capacity to utilise the supervision process and deliver case presentations; discuss relevant theoretical and clinical issues; follow supervisor's directive; give and receive constructive feedback in peer reviews; and to comply with the supervision contract.


5. Demonstrate competence in research and evaluation relevant to your placement including a capacity to identify and define research problems and evaluate research outcomes.

Content

The "Supervised Practicum 3" consists of 250 hours (excl. supervision time) of psychological practice in a selected field of psychological practice (except with the prior written approval of the course co-ordinator). The 250 hours must include a minimum of 50 hours direct client contact. The minimum requirement of supervision hours is 25 hours of individual supervision. You must allocate sufficient time for the undertaking of the supervised practicum (approximately 12 hours per week).

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

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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, relevant research) (Objectives 1, 2 and 5)

Assessment name: Written Discourse
Description: Students will need to submit a folio at the end of their placement that includes their experiences with client contact, supervision, a psychological case study, examples of relevant reports or correspondence, the supervisor's mid and end placement reviews, the student evaluation of the placement, as well as H forms and other relevant material.
Relates to objectives: 1-5
Weight: 100%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End of semester

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. (2000) Interpersonal Process in Psychotherapy: A Relational Approach (4th ed.). USA: Brooks Cole

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

Risk assessment statement

There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit.

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