Clinical Coursework III is comprised of two sub-courses covering more advanced and specialised topics in clinical theory and practice.  The sub-courses that comprise this course are: 

• Child and Family Assessment and Treatment

• Introduction to Clinical Neuropsychology

Child and Family Assessment and Treatment (Convenor: Dr Bernd Heubeck)

Five full day workshops plus two days of school observational assessments.

This sub-course will focus on three issues: developmental disabilities, anxiety and conduct problems in childhood and adolescence. Skills will include communication with children (including children with developmental delay), assessment and treatment planning for anxiety and conduct problems, therapeutic skills required in the implementation of selected empirically-based treatment programs and outcome assessment.

Introduction to Clinical Neuropsychology (Convenor: Dr Jim Huntley) 2 hrs/week

This sub-course will include an overview of functional neuroanatomy, the neuropsychology of various cerebral conditions (e.g., dementia, Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis), forensic neuropsychology, psychiatric comorbidity, psychosocial and environmental influences on neuropsychological presentations, and neuropsychological assessment.

On completion of this course students will:

• be able to assess the strengths and weaknesses of a child with a disability and understand what it is like to grow up with a disability from a client-centered perspective. Further, students will examine the research background on other selected syndromes of child psychopathology.
• be able to use empirically based models to guide their assessment and treatment planning of child problems.
• be able to assess the treatment outcome literature and develop their own empirically based treatments for child problems.
• have an understanding of basic functional neuroanatomy; the neuropsychological sequelae of traumatic brain injury, CVA, and dementia processes; and psychosocial and family impact.
• gain experience in conducting a neuropsychological screen through role play.
• understand a selected clinical presentation of neuropsychological deficits through in-depth analysis and research of aetiology, meaning of assessment results, and consequent recommendations.

The assessment for each sub-course equals 1/2 of the overall assessment for this course:

Child and Family Assessment and Treatment:  Attendance and active participation in all workshops, attendance at special school placement (2 days), observation report based on school visits, in depth essay on a selected special topic in child psychopathology (2500 words).

Introduction to Clinical Neuropsychology: Assessment report, case presentation to class, case research report.

Two hrs/week plus five full day workshops and two days of school observational assessments.

Enrolment in postgraduate clinical psychology units 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 Clinical Training Program. 

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

Enrolment in 7601 Master of Clinical Psychology program and PSYC8102. Incompatible with PSYC9013 and PSYC9413.

A basic understanding of clinical diagnosis, assessment and treatment comparable to undergraduate level abnormal psychology.

To be confirmed at the beginning of the course. Texts will be selected in line with current research.