Overview
This unit is intended to provide clinical training in the implementation of culturally-responsive, evidence-based, clinical psychology interventions to meet the needs of culturally and linguistically diverse populations, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Specifically, this unit will focus on your developing competencies in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, with a strong emphasis on the skill of case conceptualisation and treatment planning.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Prerequisite: PSYC21003 Therapy I: Theory, Research, Practice
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 2 - 2022
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Postgraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Student feedback
The existential methodology combined with reflections from the textbook chapter covered in the week, allowed for activities to be practised in a safe environment while reflecting on what works or does not work well.
Continue use of both practical and static learning in lectures.
Feedback from Student feedback
Video submissions instead of written assignments allowed content to be understood and assisted in remaining engaged in the course work. Students liked this assignment format but there were some difficulties with the Moodle submission process.
Continue to use video submissions for assessment tasks and provide additional information to students regarding submission processes for video files.
- Explain and demonstrate the appropriate selection and implementation of evidence-based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy interventions on the basis of case formulation
- Adjust therapeutic interventions, based on an evolving Acceptance and Commitment Therapy case formulation, using processes that are responsive to cultural context
- Apply evidence-based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy interventions in working with adults.
The course Learning Outcomes for this unit are consistent with the new Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) Accreditation Standards, in particular, Section 4.2.3 regarding application of advanced psychological knowledge to culturally responsive interventions in the area of clinical psychology.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 25% | |||
| 2 - Direct observation of procedural skills (DOPs) - 15% | |||
| 3 - Direct observation of procedural skills (DOPs) - 30% | |||
| 4 - Direct observation of procedural skills (DOPs) - 30% | |||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| 1 - Knowledge | |||
| 2 - Communication | |||
| 3 - Cognitive, technical and creative skills | |||
| 4 - Research | |||
| 5 - Self-management | |||
| 6 - Ethical and Professional Responsibility | |||
| 7 - Leadership | |||
| 8 - First Nations Knowledges | |||
| 9 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
| Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 25% | |||||||||
| 2 - Direct observation of procedural skills (DOPs) - 15% | |||||||||
| 3 - Direct observation of procedural skills (DOPs) - 30% | |||||||||
| 4 - Direct observation of procedural skills (DOPs) - 30% | |||||||||
Textbooks
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Second Edition The Process and Practice of Mindful Change
- Second Edition (2016)
- Authors: Steven C. Hayes, Kirk D. Strosahl, Kelly G. Wilson, Emily K. Sandoz and Michelle G. Craske
- Guilford Publications | Guilford Press
- New York New York , New York , United States of America
- ISBN: 9781462528943
- Binding: Paperback
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
h.g.madell@cqu.edu.au
l.lorien@cqu.edu.au
Week 1
Begin Date: 11 Jul 2022Module/Topic
Philosophical framework for therapists
Chapter
- Hayes, S. C., Strosahl, K. D. & Wilson, K. G. (2012). The dilemma of human suffering. In S. C. Hayes, K. D. Strosahl, & K. G. Wilson, K. G. (Eds.), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: The Process and Practice of Mindful Change, (2nd ed., pp 3-26). Guilford Press.
- Hayes, S. C., Strosahl, K. D. & Wilson, K. G. (2012). The foundations of ACTL Taking a functional contextual approach. In S. C. Hayes, K. D. Strosahl, & K. G. Wilson, K. G. (Eds.), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: The Process and Practice of Mindful Change, (2nd ed., pp 27-59). Guilford Press.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 2
Begin Date: 18 Jul 2022Module/Topic
Philosophical framework for therapists
- Foundations of ACT
- Ontology
- Relational Frame Theory
- Contextual Science
Chapter
- Hayes, S. C., Strosahl, K. D. & Wilson, K. G. (2012). Psychological flexibility as a unified model of human functioning. In S. C. Hayes, K. D. Strosahl, & K. G. Wilson, K. G. (Eds.), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: The Process and Practice of Mindful Change, (2nd ed., pp 60-101). Guilford Press.
- Hayes, S. C., Strosahl, K. D. & Wilson, K. G. (2012). The therapeutic relationship in ACT. In S. C. Hayes, K. D. Strosahl, & K. G. Wilson, K. G. (Eds.), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: The Process and Practice of Mindful Change, (2nd ed., pp 141-161). Guilford Press.
- Wendt, D. C., & Gone, J. P. (2011). Rethinking cultural competence: Insights from indigenous community treatment settings. Transcultural Psychiatry, 49(2), 206-222. https://doi-org.ezproxy.cqu.edu.au/10.1177/1363461511425622
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 3
Begin Date: 25 Jul 2022Module/Topic
ACT and Psychological Flexibility
Case Formulation in ACT
Chapter
- Hayes, S. C., Strosahl, K. D. & Wilson, K. G. (2012). Creating a context for change: Mind versus experience. In S. C. Hayes, K. D. Strosahl, & K. G. Wilson, K. G. (Eds.), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: The Process and Practice of Mindful Change, (2nd ed., pp 162-199). Guilford Press.
- Shand, F. L., Ridani, R., Tighe, J. & Christensen H. (2013). The effectiveness of a suicide prevention app for indigenous Australian youths: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. Trials, 14(1). http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy.cqu.edu.au/10.1186/1745-6215-14-396
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 4
Begin Date: 01 Aug 2022Module/Topic
ACT and Psychological Flexibility; and
Case Formulation in ACT
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Submit Essay Friday 5th Aug 1700 AEST
Submitted Online via Moodle Site
Essay : Foundations of ACT and impacts on therapeutic relationship. (Weighting: 25% of the total grade). Due: Week 4 Friday (5 Aug 2022) 5:00 pm AEST
Week 5
Begin Date: 08 Aug 2022Module/Topic
ACT and Psychological Flexibility; and
Case Formulation in ACT
Chapter
- Hayes, S. C., Strosahl, K. D., Wilson, K. G. & Sandoz, E. K. (2012). Case formulation: Listening with ACT ears, seeing with ACT eyes. In S. C. Hayes, K. D. Strosahl, & K. G. Wilson, K. G. (Eds.), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: The Process and Practice of Mindful Change, (2nd ed., pp 103-140). Guilford Press.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Vacation Week
Begin Date: 15 Aug 2022Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 6
Begin Date: 22 Aug 2022Module/Topic
ACT Core Clinical Processes:
Defusion
Chapter
- Hayes, S. C., Strosahl, K. D. & Wilson, K. G. (2012). Defusion. In S. C. Hayes, K. D. Strosahl, & K. G. Wilson, K. G. (Eds.), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: The Process and Practice of Mindful Change, (2nd ed., pp 243-269). Guilford Press.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Submit 1st Video Role Play: Using ACT to provide case conceptualisation. Friday 26th August 1700 AEST
Submit Essay Online
Submit Video Via Moodle Site
Video Role Play 1: Using ACT to provide a case conceptualisation/formulation to enhance collaboration with a client. Due: Week 6 Friday (26 Aug 2022) 5:00 pm AEST
Week 7
Begin Date: 29 Aug 2022Module/Topic
ACT Core Clinical Processes:
Dimensions of Self
Chapter
- Hayes, S. C., Strosahl, K. D. & Wilson, K. G. (2012). Dimensions of self. In S. C. Hayes, K. D. Strosahl, & K. G. Wilson, K. G. (Eds.), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: The Process and Practice of Mindful Change, (2nd ed., pp 220-242). Guilford Press.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 8
Begin Date: 05 Sep 2022Module/Topic
ACT Core Clinical Processes:
Present Moment Awareness
Chapter
- Hayes, S. C., Strosahl, K. D., Wilson, K. G. & Sandoz, E. K. (2012). Present-moment awareness. In S. C. Hayes, K. D. Strosahl, & K. G. Wilson, K. G. (Eds.), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: The Process and Practice of Mindful Change, (2nd ed., pp 201-219). Guilford Press.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 9
Begin Date: 12 Sep 2022Module/Topic
ACT Core Clinical Processes:
Acceptance
Chapter
- Hayes, S. C., Strosahl, K. D. & Wilson, K. G. (2012). Acceptance. In S. C. Hayes, K. D. Strosahl, & K. G. Wilson, K. G. (Eds.), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: The Process and Practice of Mindful Change, (2nd ed., pp 270-295). Guilford Press.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Submit 2nd Video role play and written component of assessment - Friday 16th September 1700 AEST
Submit Essay Online
Submit Video Via Moodle Site
Video Role play 2: Video demonstration role play of two ACT Techniques and written critique. Due: Week 9 Friday (16 Sept 2022) 5:00 pm AEST
Week 10
Begin Date: 19 Sep 2022Module/Topic
ACT Core Clinical Processes:
Connecting with Values
Chapter
- Hayes, S. C., Strosahl, K. D. & Wilson, K. G. (2012). Connecting with values. In S. C. Hayes, K. D. Strosahl, & K. G. Wilson, K. G. (Eds.), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: The Process and Practice of Mindful Change, (2nd ed., pp 296-326). Guilford Press.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 11
Begin Date: 26 Sep 2022Module/Topic
ACT Core Clinical Processes:
Committed Action
Chapter
- Hayes, S. C., Strosahl, K. D. & Wilson, K. G. (2012). Committed action. In S. C. Hayes, K. D. Strosahl, & K. G. Wilson, K. G. (Eds.), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: The Process and Practice of Mindful Change, (2nd ed., pp 327-354). Guilford Press.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 12
Begin Date: 03 Oct 2022Module/Topic
Summary, review and reflection.
Chapter
- Fisher, M. L. & Exline, J. J. (2010). Moving toward self-forgiveness: removing barriers related to shame, guilt, and regret. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 4(8), 548-558. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-9004.2010.00276.x
Events and Submissions/Topic
Submit 3rd Video role play and written component of final assessment - Friday 07th October 1700 AEST
Submit Essay Online
Submit Video Via Moodle Site
Video Role play 3: Video demonstration role play of two ACT Techniques and written critique. Due: Week 12 Friday (7 Oct 2022) 5:00 pm AEST
Review/Exam Week
Begin Date: 10 Oct 2022Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Exam Week
Begin Date: 17 Oct 2022Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Written Assessment
The essay will be 1500 words in length (not including title page, abstract and references)
Friday 05th August 5:00PM (AEST)
- Review the literature to develop an essay entitled: Understanding of ACT foundations, therapeutic relationship factors and how these factors are reflected in ACT.
- Length: 1500 words (not including title page, abstract or references).
- The essay will contain appropriate citations to the current literature.
- It will include an abstract section.
- Use APA formatting and referencing.
Week 4 Friday (5 Aug 2022) 5:00 pm AEST
Submitted Online via Moodle Site.
Vacation Week Friday (19 Aug 2022)
Submitted Online via Moodle Site.
Friday 05th August 5:00PM (AEST)
- Demonstrates an understanding of ACT foundations (25%)
- Demonstrates the principles underlying therapeutic relationships and how these are reflected in ACT (25%).
- Inclusion and quality of abstract (15%)
- Integration of current and relevant literature (15%)
- Language and writing style are appropriate for a professional / academic audience (10%)
- Effective use of American Psychological Association formatting, citations and referencing in the submission (10%).
- Explain and demonstrate the appropriate selection and implementation of evidence-based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy interventions on the basis of case formulation
- Adjust therapeutic interventions, based on an evolving Acceptance and Commitment Therapy case formulation, using processes that are responsive to cultural context
- Knowledge
- Communication
- Cognitive, technical and creative skills
- Research
2 Direct observation of procedural skills (DOPs)
Friday 26th August 5:00PM (AEST)
Video Presentation
Demonstrate explaining the case conceptualisation/formulation of ACT from the Hexaflex. The technique will be allocated 15 minutes in the video.
The student DOES NOT need to role play with another person in the video, the video need only contain the student.
To be submitted via the Moodle site.
Written Assessment of video
Write an ACT case formulation based on the case study demonstrated in the video assignment.
Include a critique of those areas that you feel went well, areas that you could improve, and what you would do differently in future, and why.
Length: no longer than 1500 words (not including title page, abstract or references).
The essay will contain appropriate citations to the current literature.
It will include an abstract section.
Use APA 7 formatting and referencing.
Week 6 Friday (26 Aug 2022) 5:00 pm AEST
Submit Essay Online, Video submitted via compressing video and uploaded to Moodle Site.
Week 8 Friday (9 Sept 2022)
Submitted Online via Moodle Site.
Assessment criteria for video component (Weighting: 10% of total grade)
- Clear demonstration of understanding of how to describe the ACT model to a client (50%)
- Effective demonstration relating to therapeutic alliance (20%)
- Skill in implementation of task within time allocated (20%)
- Appropriate use of material to support task understanding, where relevant (10%).
- Demonstrated understanding of writing an ACT based formulation (40%)
- Clear identification of successful components of video, areas for improvement and how to strengthen implementation for subsequent clients (25%)
- Integration of current and relevant literature (15%)
- Language and writing style are appropriate for a professional / academic audience (10%)
- Effective use of American Psychological Association formatting, citations and referencing in the submission (10%)
- Explain and demonstrate the appropriate selection and implementation of evidence-based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy interventions on the basis of case formulation
- Adjust therapeutic interventions, based on an evolving Acceptance and Commitment Therapy case formulation, using processes that are responsive to cultural context
- Knowledge
- Communication
- Cognitive, technical and creative skills
- Research
- Ethical and Professional Responsibility
3 Direct observation of procedural skills (DOPs)
- The task consists of a video component and a written critique of the video due end of week 09, Friday 16th September 5:00PM (AEST)
Video Presentation
- Demonstrate doing ONLY two of the ACT techniques from the Hexaflex. Each technique will be allocated 15 minutes in the video.
- The completed video will last approximately 30 minutes. This can be in two separate sections for each technique demonstrated.
- The student can choose which techniques to demonstrate.
- The student can use a person they know to be in the role of a client, such as another student or a family member.
- To be submitted via the Moodle site.
Written Assessment of video
- Write a reflective review of each technique demonstrated in the video assignment.
- Include a critique of those areas that you feel went well, and
- Identify the areas that you could improve, including what you would do differently in future, and why.
Week 9 Friday (16 Sept 2022) 5:00 pm AEST
Submit Essay Online, Video submitted via compressing video and uploaded to Moodle Site.
Week 11 Friday (30 Sept 2022)
Submit via Moodle Site.
- Clear demonstration of ACT techniques that show allegiance to the model (50%)
- Effective demonstration relating to therapeutic alliance (20%)
- Skill in implementation of task within time allocated (20%)
-
Appropriate use of material to support task understanding, where relevant (10%).
Assessment criteria for written component (Weighting: 10% of total grade)
- Clear identification of successful components of video (40%)
- Clear identification of areas for improvement (40%)
- Reflections on how to strengthen implementation for subsequent clients (20%)
- Apply evidence-based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy interventions in working with adults.
- Knowledge
- Communication
- Cognitive, technical and creative skills
- Self-management
- Ethical and Professional Responsibility
4 Direct observation of procedural skills (DOPs)
The task consists of a video component and a written critique of the video, due end of week 12
Friday 07th October 5:00PM (AEST)
Video Presentation
- Demonstrate doing ONLY two of the ACT techniques from the Hexaflex. Each technique will be allocated 15 minutes in the video.
- The completed video will last approximately 30 minutes. This can be in two separate sections for each technique demonstrated.
- The student can choose which techniques to demonstrate.
- The student can use a person they know to be in the role of a client, such as another student or a family member.
- To be submitted via the Moodle site.
- Write a reflective review of each technique demonstrated in the video assignment.
- Include a critique of those areas that you feel went well, and
- Identify the areas that you could improve, including what you would do differently in future, and why.
Week 12 Friday (7 Oct 2022) 5:00 pm AEST
Submit Essay Online, Video submitted via compressing video and uploaded to Moodle Site.
Exam Week Friday (21 Oct 2022)
Submit Online via Moodle Site.
Assessment Criteria
- Clear demonstration of ACT techniques that show allegiance to the model (50%)
- Effective demonstration relating to therapeutic alliance (20%)
- Skill in implementation of task within time allocated (20%)
-
Appropriate use of material to support task understanding, where relevant (10%).
Assessment criteria for written component (Weighting: 10% of total grade)
- Clear identification of successful components of video (40%)
- Clear identification of areas for improvement (40%)
- Reflections on how to strengthen implementation for subsequent clients (20%)
- Apply evidence-based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy interventions in working with adults.
- Knowledge
- Communication
- Cognitive, technical and creative skills
- Self-management
- Ethical and Professional Responsibility
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
