Clinical Coursework IV is comprised of a number of sub-courses covering advanced topics in clinical psychology and facilitating the consolidation of knowledge and skills.  The sub-courses that comprise this course are:

• Health Psychology

• Clinical Issues in Specific Populations

• Advanced Workshops

Health Psychology (Convenor: Professor Don Byrne)

(Staff: Professor Don Byrne and guest lecturers) 3 hrs/week

This sub-course will provide an overview of contemporary models and theories of health psychology, covering its history and origins, current definitions, principal models of explanation, stress as a core concept, life events and other stressors, social networks and supports, psychosocial aetiologies and epidemiology. By the end of the course students will be familiar with the major theories of stress and the evidence identifying both general and situation-specific stressors, competently identify the psycho-social factors associated with the onset or worsening of a range of human illnesses and competently apply the broad range of clinical psychological interventions shown to be of use in the management of human illnesses. Assessment involves consideration of a detailed case description and the formulation of assessment and treatment plans based on that case material.

Clinical Issues in Specific Populations (Convenor: Dr Jay Brinker)

(Staff: Dr Jay Brinker and guest lecturers) 3 hrs/week

This sub-course will focus on assessment and interventions with specific populations that often present unique issues and require special techniques including individuals with a personality disorder, indigenous people, and older adults.

Advanced Workshops (Convenor: Dr Elizabeth Rieger)

Approximately six three-hour workshops

Students are required to attend and participate in the workshops presented by the 3rd year DPsych students as part of their Advanced Clinical Workshop sub-course.

On completion of this course students will:

• Understand the links between psychological factors and physical pathology, and appreciate the psycho-biological mechanisms explaining these links.

• Have a broad understanding of a range of physical conditions where the evidence points to a psychological contribution to cause or exacerbation.

• Have the practical expertise to undertake a range of clinical psychological interventions in contributing to the treatment of physical conditions.

• Have a basic understanding of the unique needs and considerations for working with couples, older adults, clients with personality disorders and aboriginal clients.

• Have gained further knowledge and skills in various areas of advanced clinical work.

The assessment for each sub-course equals 1/3 of the overall assessment for this course:

Health Psychology: Produce a diagnostic formulation and develop a treatment or management plan for a given physical disorder based on a comprehensive set of case material.

Clinical Issues in Specific Populations: 4 written assignments, one for each topic, summarizing the main points learned and your own personal reactions to the material covered for each population.

Advanced Workshops: Attendance and participation at the workshops presented by 3rd year DPsych students in the Advanced Clinical Workshops sub-course.

Six hrs/week and six workshops of three hours each.

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 PSYC8103. Incompatible with PSYC9014 and PSYC9414.

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.