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The information below is relevant from 04/07/2022 to 09/07/2023
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PSYC20059 - Therapy: Skills, Approaches, and Techniques

General Information

Unit Synopsis

In this unit you will focus on consolidating known and expanding psychological knowledge, through the exploration of contemporary intervention skills, approaches, and techniques. You will draw upon foundational competencies such as micro-counselling skills, assessment interviews, and record keeping, and be introduced to additional therapy models to broaden your knowledge of the discipline. The role of motivational interviewing in evidence-based therapeutic intervention and psychopharmacology will also be explored.

Details

Level Postgraduate
Unit Level 9
Credit Points 6
Student Contribution Band SCA Band 4
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load 0.125
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

Students must be enrolled in CL68 Master of Professional Psychology

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).

Class Timetable View Unit Timetable
Residential School No Residential School

Unit Availabilities from Term 1 - 2023

Term 2 - 2023 Profile
Online
Term 2 - 2024 Profile
Online

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).

Assessment Overview

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.

Assessment Tasks

Assessment Task Weighting
1. Practical Assessment 0%
2. Reflective Practice Assignment 0%
3. Report 0%

This is a pass/fail (non-graded) unit. To pass the unit, you must pass all of the individual assessment tasks shown in the table above.

Past Exams

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Previous Feedback

Term 2 - 2023 : The overall satisfaction for students in the last offering of this course was 64.71% (`Agree` and `Strongly Agree` responses), based on a 94.44% response rate.

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.

Source: "Have your say" student feedback item
Feedback
Students reported that feedback on written tasks was sometimes unclear.
Recommendation
Rationale for competency based constructive feedback will be reiterated and provided in verbal and written feedback pre and post the written task feedback.
Action Taken
Detailed content and strategies for the rationale and approach to feedback were presented in the first two weeks of term and pre and post task.
Source: In-class and cohort feedback/discussion
Feedback
Students suggested more time for demonstrated role plays.
Recommendation
Inclusion of additional lecturer-led role plays/exercises in class within the extended teaching time of 3hrs.
Action Taken
Lecturer-led role plays and demonstrations were provided in class and case studies were discussed.
Source: Student feedback items and evaluation score
Feedback
Students reported that reiterative feedback on tasks was helpful for their understanding.
Recommendation
Rationale for competency-based constructive feedback will continue to be reiterated to support students reflection on skills and own practice. The content and context of the task, as well as the nature of task development and engagement in learning relative to their skills in practice will be supported through verbal and written feedback pre and post timing of task completion dates in the unit.
Action Taken
Nil.
Source: Student feedback items
Feedback
Students reported lecture length was too long.
Recommendation
The length of time for content will be adapted for practice of techniques through demonstration followed by clinical application and practice in class.
Action Taken
Nil.
Unit learning Outcomes

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

  1. Synthesise knowledge of contemporary therapeutic approaches, skills, and techniques
  2. Communicate high level, independent judgements regarding client presentations and therapeutic options in culturally responsive ways
  3. Engage in critical self-reflective practice in regard to skills, techniques, and judgements.

Learning outcomes are drawn from specifications for study at level 9 as indicated by the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF), program of study criteria as stated by the Psychology Board of Australia (PsychBA), and the following core competencies stated by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC):

  • 3.3 Employ professional communication skills, in a culturally responsive manner, with a range of socially and culturally diverse clients,
  • 3.6 Conduct professional interviews and assessments and synthesise information from multiple sources, including assessment of risk, to formulate a conceptualisation of the presenting issues to determine the most appropriate interventions, including management of risk,
  • 3.7 Monitor outcomes and modifications based on evolving case formulation, including health and health concerns, family and support networks, and organisational, cultural or community contexts, with care given to the appropriateness of interventions for the client within their wider context,
  • 3.8 Interpret and communicate findings in oral and written formats, including formal psychological reports, using culturally appropriate language,
  • 3.9 Implement appropriate, empirically supported interventions, and monitor clients’ progress and intervention outcome, and
  • 3.14 Engage in self-reflective professional practice, taking account of the impact of their own values and beliefs, and taking appropriate actions as a result (APC, 2019, p.13-14).

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3
1 - Practical Assessment
2 - Reflective Practice Assignment
3 - Report
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
Advanced Level
Professional Level
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
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
Advanced Level
Professional Level
Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8