Issues in Contemporary Clinical Psychology is designed to complement other psychology courses by integrating biological, developmental, cognitive, social and ethical aspects of psychology into a broader understanding of individual functioning and psychopathology within a contemporary evidenced based treatment framework.
Course topics include Ethics in Psychology, the Practice of Psychology within a Scientist-Practitioner Framework, the Biopsychosocial Model of Psychopathology, Mental Health Stigma, the Development of Psychotherapy and Contemporary approaches to Treatment, the impact of Identity on functioning, and an Introduction to Resilience and Positive Psychology.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Gain an understanding of what is clinical psychology, and the basic tenets of evidence-based practice.
- Apply the basic ethical principles pertaining to psychological practice to ethical dilemmas, gain an awareness of the APS Code of Ethics and Ethical Guidelines
- Apply the scientist-practitioner model to the practice of psychology, gain an understanding of the requirement for evidence-based research.
- Gain a basic understanding of the interaction of biological, developmental, psychological, social and contextual influences on psychopathology and apply this to a clinical case study.
- Gain a basic understanding of the clinical presentation of the most common psychological disorders within a bio-psycho-social theoretical framework
- Gain a basic understanding of the development and evolution of psychotherapy across the 20th Century and the most prominent psychological models influencing contemporary approaches to psychopathology.
- Gain a basic understanding of the processes involved in identity formation and development within a clinical context
- Gain a basic understanding of the basic tenets of positive psychology and the development of resilience and personal growth
Indicative Assessment
- Tutorial Quiz (x 5) (10) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8]
- Research essay - Response to Ethical Dilemma (20) [LO 1,2]
- Clinical Assessment Report Case Study (30) [LO 3,4,5]
- End of Semester Exam (40) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8]
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Workload
The expected workload will consist of approximately 130 hours per semester consisting of
- 12 x lectures (2 hours a week)
- 6 x tutorial attendance (approx 15 hours per semester)
- approximately 90 hours of additional self-study which includes preparation for lectures and tutorials and other assignment tasks
Inherent Requirements
To be determined
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
There is no prescribed text due to the broad nature of the subject material.
Reading materials will be provided to support lectures and tutorials.
Preliminary Reading
APS Handout — Ethical Decision Making
APS Code of Ethics
APS Ethical Guidelines (Selected guidelines)
Black Dog Institute - Positive Psychology Fact Sheet
CBT Handout - CBT
CBT Handout — Unhelpful Thinking
Fava, G.A, & Sonino, N, (2008), The Biopsychosocial Model Thirty Years Later, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 77:1—2
Harris, R. (2006) Embracing Your Demons: an Overview of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Psychotherapy in Australia, 12 (4).
Levant, et.al. (2006). Evidence-Based Practice in Psychology, American Psychologist, 61(4), 271-285
Mental Health Association NSW - Depression Kit, Anxiety Kit, Schizophrenia Kit, Personality Disorders Fact Sheet, Building Resilience Fact Sheet
Thomas, M. L. (2006), The Contributing Factors of Change in a Therapeutic Process, Contemporary Family Therapy, 28, 201-210
A Life Without Stigma, SANE Australia (selected extracts)
British Psychological Society (2011), Good Practice Guidelines on the use of Psychological Formulation, Sections 6-9,
Client Guide to Schema Therapy — Extract from Young,J. (1994) Cognitive Therapy for Personality disorders, Revised edition, 1994
Martin, P.R. & Birnbrauer J.S. (1996) Introduction to Clinical Psychology, in Clinical Psychology: Profession and Practice in Australia, Martin, P.R. & Birnbrauer J.S (eds), MacMillan Education , South Melbourne, pp3-20.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 4B
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.