Clinical Coursework I is comprised of a number of sub-units covering a range topics designed to lay the foundations for further clinical coursework and to prepare the student for the initial experience of clinical practice. The sub-units that comprise this course are:

• Clinical  Psychological Assessment
• Models and Methods in Clinical Psychology I
• Psychological Interventions I.

Clinical Psychological Assessment (Convenor: Dr Ross Wilkinson) 3 hrs/week

The major aims of this course are to provide students with the basic knowledge and framework to conduct initial clinical interviews and to provide them with an understanding of the characteristics and objectives of psychological testing. The first part of the course will focus on building skills in clinical interviewing and hypothesis generation. The second part will focus on issues relevant to the interpretation of test performance (e.g., use of standardised procedures and normative data, reliability and validity) and psychological report writing.  Application of these concepts will be considered in three areas of assessment - clinical symptoms, intellect and personality.  A practical component is also included in which students will be involved in planning, conducting and reporting results of both intellectual and personality assessments. Assessable components include exams, videos of test administrations, and psychological reports of assessments.

Models and Methods in Clinical Psychology I (Convenor: Assoc. Prof. Richard O'Kearney)

(Staff: Professor Don Byrne, Assoc. Prof. Richard O'Kearney) 3 hrs/week

This course provides an introduction to clinical practice that covers the major theoretical models for understanding psychological disorders and clinical interventions. It begins with an examination of how the presentation of psychopathology in various settings and the organization of diagnosis. The course then focuses on the major affective and anxiety disorders detailing the contemporary cognitive, behavioural and emotional models of these disorders and the methods for their assessment and treatment. Psychological assessment and interventions for the major affective and anxiety disorders with a focus on cognitive-behavioural approaches and psychopharmacology are described. The course is assessed with a case conceptualisation and frequent case-based take home tests.

Psychological Interventions I (Convenor: Dr Bernd Heubeck)

(Staff: Dr Bernd Heubeck, Assoc. Prof. Richard O'Kearney, Mr Salih Ozgul) Six full day workshops

This course aims to begin to develop the trainee's ability in providing effective psychological interventions. The first four workshops focus on the prerequisite psychotherapy skills needed to engage, interact with and deliver psychological interventions within a sound psychotherapeutic relationship. They review and develop micro and macro counselling skills and how to utilise these in the clinical context. They teach these skills within an overarching therapy framework which allows for the integration of other more specific approaches. Participation in discussions and review of taped role-plays is a requirement as is the actual demonstration of competence in the use of the micro and macro skills taught.

The second half of this course offers 2 workshops which teach specific cognitive-behavioural skills and practices and complement Models and Methods in Clinical Psychology 1 for the effective use of interventions in depression and anxiety disorders.  The assessment task is to prepare a cognitive-behavioural orientated treatment manual for the individual assessment and treatment of a depressive or anxiety disorder.

Enrolment in postgraduate clinical psychology courses is usually restricted to students enrolled in the Master of Clinical Psychology, Doctor of Psychology (Clinical) or Doctor of Philosophy (Clinical Psychology) at the School of Psychology.

This course may be available with the written permission of the Director of the Clinical Training Program.

Applicants must be eligible for registration as a psychologist in the ACT.

Clinical Psychological Assessment

Groth-Marnat, G. (2003). Handbook of psychological assessment (4^thed). New York: Wiley.

Readings

APS (1997). Guidelines for the use of psychological tests. Melbourne: APS.

APS (1997). Supplement to the guidelines for the use of psychological tests. Melbourne: APS.

Faust, D. (1998). Forensic assessment. In C. R. Reynolds (Ed.) Comprehensive Clinical Psychology, p. 563-599, Oxford, England: Pergamon/Elsevier Science.

Meyer, et al. (2001). Psychological testing and psychological assessment. American Psychologist, 56, 128-165.

Turner, S. M., DeMers, S. T., Fox, H. R., & Reed, G. M. (2001). APA's guidelines for test user qualifications: An executive summary. American Psychologist, 56, 1099-1113.

Models and Methods in Clinical Psychology I

Barlow, D (Ed.) (2001). Clinical Handbook of Psychological Disorders (3^rd ed.) New York: The Guilford Press

Beck, J.S. (1995) Cognitive therapy: Basics and Beyond. New York: The Guildford Press.

Bellack, A.D., & Hersen., M. (1998) Behavioral Assessment: A Practical Handbook (4^th ed.). Boston: Allyn and Bacon.

DSM-IV TR

Psychological Interventions I

Egan, G. (2002). The skilled helper (7th. ed). Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole.

Gilliland, B.E., James, R.K., & Bowman, J.T. (1998). Theories and strategies in counseling and psychotherapy (4rd ed.). Boston: Allyn and Bacon.

See texts for Models and Methods I