96043 Introduction to Clinical Practice Skills
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Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
Requisite(s): 96044c Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychology AND 96045c Adult Clinical Psychology 1 AND 96049c Assessment Across the Lifespan
The lower case 'c' after the subject code indicates that the subject is a corequisite. See definitions for details.
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Description
This subject is an orientation to the profession of clinical psychology and an introduction to the practical component of the clinical program. The aim of the subject is to develop the clinical skills needed to assess, formulate, diagnose and treat a range of patient issues and problems, and to understand relevant ethical codes and ethical decision making.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| 001. | Locate scholarly literature relevant to a given topic |
|---|---|
| 015. | Apply research in a given clinical context |
| 020. | Develop a formulation from a range of clinical perspectives |
| 026. | Apply diagnostic systems (e.g. DSM, ICD) in a given clinical context |
| 031. | Justify the selection of a particular intervention |
| 035. | Justify the links between diagnosis, formulation and the intervention chosen |
| 050. | Demonstrate empathic active listening skills |
| 051. | Apply core therapy skills, such as clarifying, reflecting, paraphrasing and summarising |
| 052. | Achieve and maintain an effective therapeutic relationship |
| 053. | Identify goals with clients and stakeholders |
| 054. | Explain one's own role, within the context of the service |
| 055. | Explain the limits of confidentiality |
| 057. | Use written and spoken communication in a manner appropriate to the target audience |
| 058. | Produce accurate, succinct and well-organised written communications |
| 059. | Negotiate the commencement, conduct and termination of a treatment session |
| 060. | Negotiate the commencement, conduct and termination of a treatment program |
| 067. | Conduct ongoing self-evaluation |
| 070. | Interpret initial client information |
| 075. | Conduct appropriate tests, interviews or other assessments |
| 078. | Respond appropriately to any risk arising from assessment |
| 079. | Engage minority or marginalised groups appropriately |
| 081. | Respond appropriately to the service needs of vulnerable groups in society |
| 082. | Describe and apply knowledge of the cultural, historic, and contemporary influences on the lives of Indigenous Australians and the implications of these for social and emotional wellbeing |
| 083. | Maintain continual professional development and registration requirements |
| 084. | Utilise best available methodologies and resources in clinical practice |
| 085. | Maintain records and carry out administrative tasks to the required standard |
| 086. | Adhere to the guidelines and policies of relevant professional bodies |
| 087. | Maintain familiarity with State and Commonwealth law and regulations relevant to the practice of clinical psychology |
| 089. | Manage interpersonal boundaries |
| 090. | Recognise ethical dilemmas |
| 091. | Apply ethical decision-making principles in professional practice |
| 092. | Gain and maintain informed consent |
| 093. | Maintain confidentiality at all times |
| 094. | Maintain professional dress, demeanour and behaviour |
| 097. | Detail practitioner's obligations with respect to own and others' competence |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
The learning outcomes for this subject are as follows:
- Engage in reflexive practice to evaluate and integrate emerging evidence into practice, and to promote the growth of personal and professional learning, and the education of others. (01.1)
- Interpret, implement and evaluate psychological assessments and interventions using psychological theories, models and evidence to optimise client or organisational health. (02.1)
- Lead and collaborate, supporting an interdisciplinary approach, to provide ethically and legally accountable client-centred care, with awareness of own capabilities and limitations. (02.2)
- Engage in systematic enquiry, evaluating the evidence and reporting on individual and population psychological health status, using appropriate methodologies. (02.3)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
This subject contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes:
Lifelong learning
Graduates of the Master of Clinical Psychology are lifelong learners, committed to and capable of reflection and inquiry in their quest for personal development and excellence in professional practice.
Professional capacity
Graduates of the Master of Clinical Psychology are client-focused, ethical practitioners with the understanding and proficiency to be leaders in their profession, capable of effectively researching and communicating solutions in a global context.
Global citizenship
Graduates of the Master of Clinical Psychology contribute to society, resolving to undertake those actions and responsibilities that will enhance their role in local, national and global communities.
Cultural competence
Graduates of the Master of Clinical Psychology are culturally competent professionals, able to reflect on and explain their own cultural perspectives, accommodate cultural differences and achieve optimal outcomes through the adoption of a consultative approach to patient care with Indigenous Australians and other cultural groups.
Teaching and learning strategies
The subject includes a proportion of flipped, inquiry-based, problem-based, project-based, studio-based, experiential or similar practice-oriented learning activities that involve students preparing before class and making use of the preparation in class
Preparation for Learning: Specifically students are expected to have completed the workshop reading prior to the workshop.
Active Lectures: Specifically the coordinators will demonstrate various clinical techniques and interventions, which students will then practice in pairs or small groups.
Case-based Learning: Specifically students will be provided with case studies to inform their simulated practice.
Research-integrated Learning: Specifically students will be required to link the academic literature with the skills and interventions that they are practicing.
Collaborative Learning: Specifically students will be required to collaborate on various workshop activities, as well as assessable tasks.
Reflective Learning: Specifically students are encouraged to engage in ongoing reflection of their skills.
Practice-based Learning: Specifically students will engage in a considerable number of role plays to ensure that they are comfortable doing assessments and various clinical interventions.
Authentic and Simulated Clinical Experiences: Students will observe experienced clinicians completing assessments and interventions and will role play skills with their peers. Students will also observe real clients in the clinic.
Self-directed Practice: Specifically students will be required to practice the skills at home.
Ongoing Feedback: In-class verbal feedback is an important teaching and learning strategy employed throughout the subject. Specifically the course coordinators will observe skills practice and provide feedback on skills as required.
Content (topics)
- Ethics and professional practice
- Foundational clinical skills
- Clinical interviewing
- Risk assessment
- Diagnostic interviewing
- Case formulation and treatment planning
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Reflection (must-pass assessment)
| Intent: | The intention of this assessment task is to ensure that students demonstrate appropriate knowledge and reflection regarding the historical and contemporary Indigenous experience and the relevance of that experience to clinical psychologists. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 067, 079, 081 and 082 This task is aligned with the following course learning outcomes: .007, .009 and .011 |
| Type: | Reflection |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 10% |
| Length: | 500 words |
| Criteria: | Marking criteria and rubric is provided on Canvas |
Assessment task 2: Ethical Decision Making Model (must pass assessment)
| Intent: | Clinical psychologists regularly encounter ethical scenarios in their work. The ability to work through these ethical scenarios in a structured way is an important skill to learn for clinical psychology trainees. This assessment task is designed to ensure that students are equipped with the necessary skills to identify and respond to an ethical dilemma that may arise during their practice. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 001, 015, 057, 058, 086, 087, 090, 091 and 097 This task is aligned with the following course learning outcomes: .005, .006, .009, 02.1 and 02.3 |
| Type: | Case study |
| Groupwork: | Group, group assessed |
| Weight: | 20% |
| Length: | 1,200 words maximum |
| Criteria: | Marking criteria for this task is provided on Canvas. |
Assessment task 3: Clinic Interview Demonstration (must pass assessment)
| Intent: | It is important that clinical psychologists are able to ascertain clinical information in a timely way and as such the completion of an appropriate initial clinical interview is an essential skill to master for a developing clinical psychologist. This task is designed to ensure that students are able to demonstrate competency in the delivery of an initial clinical interview prior to working with clients. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 050, 051, 052, 053, 054, 055, 057, 059, 060, 070, 075, 078, 084, 086, 087, 089, 092 and 094 This task is aligned with the following course learning outcomes: .006, .008, .009, .010, .011, 01.1, 02.1 and 02.2 |
| Type: | Demonstration |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 45% |
| Length: | 30 minutes |
| Criteria: | The marking criteria for this task is provided on Canvas. |
Assessment task 4: Case Formulation (must pass assessment)
| Intent: | Once an assessment is complete clinical psychologists formulate the case and plan an appropriate treatment. This assessment task is designed to ensure that students demonstrate basic competency in case formulation prior to commencing work with clients on their first placement. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 015, 020, 026, 031, 035 and 058 This task is aligned with the following course learning outcomes: .005, .006, .010, .011, 01.1, 02.1, 02.2 and 02.3 |
| Type: | Demonstration |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 25% |
| Length: | 15 minutes |
| Criteria: | Marking criteria is provided on Canvas. |
Assessment task 5: Clinic Meeting and Case Presentation Attendance (must pass)
| Intent: | During the second semester of the first year of the Master of Clinical Psychology students will commence their first internal placement. This assessment task is designed to provide students with the opportunity to: 1. Increase their understanding of the types of client presentation seen at the UTS Psychology Clinic and 2. Learn how clinical formulations are applied in routine clinical practice. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 083, 085, 086, 087, 093 and 094 This task is aligned with the following course learning outcomes: .009 and 02.1 |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
Minimum requirements
Students must attend all twelve workshops (100% attendance). Students must pass all assessment tasks in order to pass the unit.
Required texts
Coursework Assessments Procedures
Graduate School of Health Policy, Guidelines and Procedures
- Guidelines for Mandatory Notifications.
- National Practice Standards for the Mental Health Workforce.
- Australian Psychological Society (APS). (2007). Code of Ethics.
- New South Wales Health (2017). Mental Health Act Guide Book (Fifth Edition).
Other required readings will be posted on the Canvas site for this subject. Students are encouraged to check these folders regularly to ensure they have completed the required readings for this subject.
Recommended texts
- Egan, G. (2014). The Skilled Helper: A Problem Management and Opportunity-Development Approach to Helping. Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning
- Newman, C.F. (2013). Core Competencies in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy. New York: Routledge
- Tolin, D. F. (2016). Doing CBT: A Comprehensive Guide to Working with Behaviors, Thoughts, and Emotions. New York: Guilford Press.
- Wright, J.H., Basco, M.R., & Thase, M.E. (2006). Learning Cognitive-Behavior Therapy. Arlington: American Psychiatric Publishing, Inc.