Unit rationale, description and aim
To address the increasing prevalence of complex psychological disorders in Australia and around the world, clinical psychologists need to be knowledgeable of, and competent in, a wide range of innovative and evidence-based interventions. Although cognitive-behaviour therapy is the treatment of choice for many disorders, a lack of treatment response is not uncommon for complex psychological disorders. Therefore, more advanced knowledge and application of other psychotherapeutic approaches are essential. This unit is designed to provide more detailed study of advanced psychotherapeutic interventions. Students will gain an understanding of principles and techniques associated with a range of interventions, including transdiagnostic and eHealth approaches, as well as ways of tailoring interventions (e.g., adapting a treatment that is sensitive to Indigenous issues). In learning to develop, monitor, and modify case formulations and treatment plans consistent with these principles and based on an understanding of intra- and interpersonal processes, students will attain competencies in selecting, designing, and implementing individually tailored and culturally responsive interventions. The aim of this unit is to provide students with in-depth knowledge and opportunities to practice evidence-based therapeutic modalities that go beyond standard cognitive-behavioural interventions.
Learning outcomes
To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.
Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
Explore the graduate capabilities.
Describe the relevant principles in assessment, fo...
Learning Outcome 01
Synthesise and critically evaluate the empirical r...
Learning Outcome 02
Apply skills in assessment, formulation, treatment...
Learning Outcome 03
Content
Topics will include:
With a focus on specific core concepts and theoretical principles of the advanced psychotherapeutic modalities:
- Assessment and case formulation
- Treatment strategies
- Evaluating treatment outcomes
- Evaluating the empirical evidence
- Addressing treatment non-response
- Transdiagnostic approaches
- E-health approaches
- Personality and trauma-informed approaches
Assessment strategy and rationale
The assessment strategy for this unit allows students to collaborate and demonstrate their acquisition and critical application of evidence-based assessment and intervention skills. In order to best enable students to demonstrate unit learning outcomes and develop graduate capabilities, standards-based assessment, consistent with university assessment requirements, is used. The written assignment is designed to assess students’ ability to critically evaluate and integrate information provided in a case study and to develop a case formulation and treatment plan consistent with the empirical research literature and theoretical principles underlying an advanced psychotherapeutic modality. The skills demonstration is designed to assess students’ ability to demonstrate their skills in advanced psychotherapeutic techniques. The exam (for on-campus students) and quizzes (for ACU Online students) are designed to assess students’ knowledge in the relevant principles in assessment, formulation, treatment planning and intervention consistent with advanced therapeutic interventions for the treatment of complex psychological disorders. In order to pass this unit, students must demonstrate the achievement of all learning outcomes. Students must pass all assessment tasks in order to pass the unit because in order to address complex psychological disorders effectively, students must demonstrate an appropriate level of competence across all learning outcomes. ACU Online students must also attend a compulsory residential school. A failure in any of these tasks is likely to translate to an unacceptable level of risk to clients the student will come into contact with as practising psychologists.
Overview of assessments
On-Campus
Assessment Task 1 - Written Assignment To assess ...
Assessment Task 1 - Written Assignment
To assess the ability to critically evaluate and integrate information provided in a case study and to develop a case formulation and treatment plan consistent with the empirical research literature and theoretical principles underlying an advanced psychotherapeutic modality.
40%
Assessment Task 2 - Recorded Skills Demonstration...
Assessment Task 2 - Recorded Skills Demonstration
To assess students’ competencies in demonstrating specific advanced intervention skills.
30%
Assessment Task 3 - Online Examination To assess ...
Assessment Task 3 - Online Examination
To assess knowledge and understanding of assessment, diagnosis, intervention and treatment of psychological disorders.
30%
ACU Online
Assessment Task 1 - Written Assignment To assess ...
Assessment Task 1 - Written Assignment
To assess the ability to critically evaluate and integrate information provided in a case study and to develop a case formulation and treatment plan consistent with the empirical research literature and theoretical principles underlying an advanced psychotherapeutic modality.
40%
Assessment Task 2 - Recorded Skills Demonstration...
Assessment Task 2 - Recorded Skills Demonstration
To assess students’ competencies in demonstrating specific advanced intervention skills.
30%
Assessment Task 3 - On-Campus Residential School ...
Assessment Task 3 - On-Campus Residential School
To engage in hands-on activities and develop intervention and therapeutic skills.
Hurdle
Assessment Task 4 - End of Day Quizzes 3 quizzes ...
Assessment Task 4 - End of Day Quizzes
3 quizzes (10% each) delivered during the residential school.
To assess knowledge and understanding of residential school content on assessment, diagnosis, intervention and treatment of psychological disorders.
30%
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
On Campus
Postgraduate students in psychology are expected to be independent learners. This is reflected in an approach that puts students at the centre of their learning through participation in discussions. This unit therefore uses an active learning approach presented in face-to face mode with three contact hours per week or equivalent in intensive mode, and utilises a combination of lectures, workshops and web-based learning. Students will be expected to take responsibility for their learning and to participate actively in class activities. Learning and teaching strategies used in lectures and workshops include case-based learning, demonstrations, role plays, web-based learning, and reflective/critical thinking activities. Lectures and demonstrations are structured to deliver essential content, while workshops and role plays provide students with opportunities to practice and discuss assessment and intervention strategies. Web-based learning and reflective/critical thinking activities will enhance learning and provide opportunities for students to take responsibility for their learning and to participate actively. This range of strategies will provide students with appropriate access to required knowledge and understanding of unit content, and opportunities for development of competency in clinical adult psychology.
Online Unscheduled
This unit uses an active learning approach presented through asynchronous activities such as discussion forums where students interact with peers and engage with online modules and readings via the online learning platform. This unit involves a minimum of 150 hours of self-study, learning activities and assessments. Students will be expected to take responsibility for their learning and to participate actively in online and residential school activities. The learning and teaching strategy used include case-based learning, demonstrations, web-based learning, and reflective/critical thinking activities. Online activities are structured to deliver essential content, while residential school activities provide students with opportunities to practice, discuss and demonstrate their abilities in assessment and intervention strategies. Web-based learning and reflective/critical thinking activities will enhance learning and provide opportunities for students to take responsibility for their learning and to participate actively. This learning and teaching strategy provides students with appropriate access to required knowledge and understanding of unit content, and opportunities for development of competency in advanced psychotherapeutic approaches. Students receive regular and timely feedback on their learning, which includes information on their progress.