96047 Clinical Placement 1
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Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Pass fail, no marks
Requisite(s): 96043 Introduction to Clinical Practice Skills AND 96044 Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychology AND 96045 Adult Clinical Psychology 1 AND 96049 Assessment Across the Lifespan AND 96046c Research Project 1 AND 96048c Adult Clinical Psychology 2 AND 96050c Clinical Health Psychology
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 consists of a placement in the Psychology Clinic at UTS. It provides ongoing training as part of the practical component of the clinical psychology program. The aim is to develop clinical skills in assessment, diagnosis, case formulation and treatment of clients with a range of presentations. Trainees are required to attend clinical workshops, complete a placement in the clinic, and attend weekly supervision and ethical and clinical practice meetings.
Typically trainees are expected to attend one hour per week of adult therapy supervision, one hour per week of child therapy supervision and one hour of neuropsychology supervision (group supervision every week, with individual supervision by appointment as required). Attendance at all supervision is required irrespective of caseload.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| 001. | Locate scholarly literature relevant to a given topic |
|---|---|
| 016. | Integrate diagnostic information with formulation in treatment planning |
| 017. | In collaboration with the client, adapt a standardised formulation to an individual case |
| 018. | Integrate cultural competence and client preferences into a clinical formulation |
| 019. | Test the explanatory power of a given formulation with respect to response to treatment |
| 020. | Develop a formulation from a range of clinical perspectives |
| 021. | Review and re-formulate based on new information |
| 022. | Determine the appropriateness of providing a diagnosis |
| 023. | Apply multiple methods for assessing the severity and types of mental health conditions |
| 024. | Identify comorbidity |
| 025. | Determine differential diagnoses where appropriate |
| 026. | Apply diagnostic systems (e.g. DSM, ICD) in a given clinical context |
| 027. | Identify whether a case lies within the practitioner's professional competence |
| 028. | Identify appropriate referral services for the client's needs |
| 029. | Follow a structured process to arrive at the most accurate diagnosis |
| 030. | Draw on clinical evidence to propose an intervention |
| 031. | Justify the selection of a particular intervention |
| 032. | Design an intervention |
| 033. | Evaluate stakeholder perspectives in the planning of an intervention |
| 034. | In collaboration with client, plan an intervention |
| 035. | Justify the links between diagnosis, formulation and the intervention chosen |
| 036. | Provide evidence-based treatment across the life-span |
| 037. | Use core behaviour change techniques |
| 038. | Provide evidence-based treatment across a range of disorders |
| 039. | Respond to the immediate needs of any clinical presentation |
| 040. | Utilise specific behavioural and cognitive interventions |
| 041. | Plan and review homework |
| 042. | Summarise and gain feedback from client |
| 043. | Review treatment progress and adjust treatment as required |
| 044. | Integrate varying stakeholder needs and input to achieve optimal client outcomes |
| 045. | Measure behavioural, cognitive and affective change |
| 046. | Evaluate the impact of an intervention |
| 047. | Assist client in generalising gains made in the clinical context |
| 048. | Collaboratively devise a relapse prevention plan |
| 049. | Collaboratively plan the end of treatment |
| 050. | Demonstrate empathic active listening skills |
| 051. | Apply core therapy skills, such as clarifying, reflecting, paraphrasing and summarizing |
| 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 |
| 056. | Explain the therapy process |
| 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 |
| 061. | Maintain professionalism in inter- and intra-professional communication |
| 062. | Communicate own work to supervisors and other stakeholders |
| 063. | Openly reflect on own work with supervisor |
| 064. | Maintain a professional relationship with supervisor |
| 065. | Give an account of how learning from supervision is applied |
| 066. | Accept supervisory input |
| 067. | Conduct ongoing self-evaluation |
| 068. | Monitor and manage in a timely fashion issues related to self care |
| 069. | Manage conflict in work and treatment settings |
| 070. | Interpret initial client information |
| 071. | On the basis of available information, establish initial assessment requirements |
| 072. | Select appropriate assessment measures and methods for a given case |
| 073. | Provide a rationale for the method(s) of assessment utilised |
| 074. | Ensure that assessment includes memory, intelligence, personality, behavioural functioning and mental state |
| 075. | Conduct appropriate tests, interviews or other assessments |
| 076. | Interpret assessment results |
| 077. | Communicate results of assessment in an appropriate format to relevant individuals |
| 078. | Respond appropriately to any risk arising from assessment |
| 079. | Engage minority or marginalised groups appropriately |
| 080. | Provide clinical services in a culturally competent way to clients of diverse cultural backgrounds |
| 081. | Respond appropriately to the service needs of vulnerable groups in society |
| 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 |
| 088. | Negotiate a work / supervision plan |
| 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 |
| 095. | Engage minors and those unable to provide informed consent in an ethically appropriate way |
| 096. | Ensure own competence to practise |
| 097. | Detail practitioner's obligations with respect to own and others' competence |
| 099. | Evaluate new technologies for use in clinical psychology |
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-focussed, 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
Preparation for Learning:
Students are required to prepare for placement by completing relevant learning activities. These activities include completing the required readings and skills practice prior to attending the placement and working with clients. The pre-placement activities will assist students in delivering high-quality evidence based care for the clients that they see as part of the placement.
Active Workshops:
During workshops, students will practice various clinical techniques and interventions in pairs or small groups. During these simulations, students are encouraged to provide feedback to their peers and to obtain feedback from their peers on their own performance. The coordinator will also provide limited verbal feedback where possible during these simulated sessions.
Authentic and Simulated Clinical Experiences:
Students will engage with clients to apply the skills they have learnt in their coursework to the presenting problems of real clients in practice. Students will also have the opportunity to role play skills with their peers.
Case-based Learning:
Case-based learning is a form of problem-based learning and is a key learning strategy in this subject. During the clinical practice meeting authentic and de-identified case examples will be presented to students by their peers to inform their ongoing treatment of clients throughout the semester.
Collaborative Learning:
Much of our work as clinical psychologists involves working with multi-disciplinary teams as well as teams made up of multiple psychologists. Therefore it is essential that clinical psychology students develop skills in teamwork.
Collaborating with peers during class and outside of class activities assists students in building collaboration and leadership skills. In this subject students are required to collaborate regularly on their work with clients, as well as various workshop activities, and assessable tasks.
Reflective Learning:
Reflective practice is an essential skill of a clinical psychologist. This subject aims to foster reflective practice by regularly asking students to reflect on their work with clients and identify areas of clinical strength and weakness.
Ongoing Feedback:
In-workshop verbal feedback is an important teaching and learning strategy employed throughout the subject. Specifically the course coordinator/instructor will observe skills practice and provide feedback on skills as required. Students will also regularly receive feedback from their peers in the workshops. Students also receive weekly feedback from each of their clinical supervisors during their weekly supervisions sessions.
Content (topics)
In this subject students will complete 7 full day skills and theory based workshops. Workshops consist of lectures, discussion and development of skills associated with clinical interview, clinical assessment, risk assessment and responding to client distress.
Workshops will also consist of topics such as client case note recording, report writing, ethical practice, and working with clients across the lifespan and from a range of Indigenous and cultural backgrounds. Workshops will include CBT skills that focus on adherence to the CBT model.
Notes corresponding with each lecture, including any associated electronic material or links, will be uploaded to Canvas.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Mid Placement Review
| Intent: | Clinical psychologists work with a variety of client presentations. The intent of this assessment is to ensure that students are competent in the assessment, diagnosis, formulation, and treatment of a variety of client presentations. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 001, 016, 017, 018, 019, 020, 021, 022, 023, 024, 025, 026, 027, 028, 029, 030, 031, 032, 033, 034, 035, 036, 037, 038, 039, 040, 041, 042, 043, 044, 045, 046, 047, 048, 049, 050, 051, 052, 053, 054, 055, 056, 057, 058, 059, 060, 061, 062, 063, 064, 065, 066, 067, 068, 069, 070, 071, 072, 073, 074, 075, 076, 077, 078, 079, 080, 081, 083, 084, 085, 086, 087, 088, 089, 090, 091, 092, 093, 094, 095, 096, 097 and 099 This task is aligned with the following course learning outcomes: .005, .006, .008, .009, .011, 01.1, 02.1, 02.2 and 02.3 |
| Type: | Laboratory/practical |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Length: | 20 days (10 weeks) |
| Criteria: | Assessment criteria can be found in the Assignments link on the subject Canvas site. Assessment whilst undertaking the first Clinic Placement will be carried out via supervision on a weekly basis and reviewed at the mid placement review meeting. |
Assessment task 2: Clinic Placement (must-pass assessment)
| Intent: | Clinical psychologists work with a variety of client presentations. The intent of this assessment is to ensure that students are competent in the assessment, diagnosis, formulation, and treatment of a variety of client presentations. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 001, 016, 017, 018, 019, 020, 021, 022, 023, 024, 025, 026, 027, 028, 029, 030, 031, 032, 033, 034, 035, 036, 037, 038, 039, 040, 041, 042, 043, 044, 045, 046, 047, 048, 049, 050, 051, 052, 053, 054, 055, 056, 057, 058, 059, 060, 061, 062, 063, 064, 065, 066, 067, 068, 069, 070, 071, 072, 073, 074, 075, 076, 077, 078, 079, 080, 081, 083, 084, 085, 086, 087, 088, 089, 090, 091, 092, 093, 094, 095, 096, 097 and 099 This task is aligned with the following course learning outcomes: .005, .006, .008, .009, .011, 01.1, 02.1, 02.2 and 02.3 |
| Type: | Laboratory/practical |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Length: | 42 day (21 weeks) |
| Criteria: | Assessment criteria can be found in the Assignments link on the Subject Canvas site and important information about the clinical placement and this assessment can be found in the clinic handbook, which is on the subject canvas site. Assessment whilst undertaking the first Clinic Placement will be carried out via supervision on a weekly basis and reviewed at mid placement and end of the clinic placement review meetings. Formative feedback will be provided at the mid-placement review. Any concerns with student performance will be highlighted at the mid-placement review and a remediation plan put in place between the student and supervisor to ensure students are able to enhance their competencies. |
Assessment task 3: Case presentation (must-pass assessment)
| Intent: | The ability to communicate an understanding of client work including the conceptualization and rationale for treatment approaches is a crucial clinical psychology competency and so attendance at clinic meetings and completion of a case presentation is required during this internal psychology-training placement. One oral case presentation will be completed by each students and assessed by staff in weekly clinic meetings held online from week 9-14 (9 am to 11 am). |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 001, 016, 018, 019, 020, 021, 022, 023, 024, 025, 026, 029, 031, 032, 035, 036, 040, 045, 046, 053, 054, 057, 058, 062, 067, 072, 073, 077, 084 and 086 This task is aligned with the following course learning outcomes: .005, .006, .009, .010, 01.1, 02.2 and 02.3 |
| Type: | Case study |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Length: | 20 minutes |
| Criteria: | Assessment criteria can be found in the Assignments link on the Subject Canvas site and in the Psychology Training Clinic handbook. |
Assessment task 4: Case report (must-pass assessment)
| Intent: | The ability to communicate an understanding of client work including the conceptualization and rationale for treatment approaches is a crucial clinical psychology competency. Additionally the capacity to communicate case work in written form is essential and so completion of a case report is required during this internal psychology training placement. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 001, 016, 018, 019, 020, 021, 022, 026, 031, 032, 035, 036, 040, 045, 046, 053, 054, 057, 058, 062, 067, 072, 073, 077, 084 and 093 This task is aligned with the following course learning outcomes: .005, .006, .009, .010, 01.1, 02.2 and 02.3 |
| Type: | Case study |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Length: | 2,000 words |
| Criteria: | Assessment criteria can be found in the Assignment link on the Subject Canvas site and in the Psychology Training Clinic handbook. This is a must pass component. Pass/fail grade. |
Minimum requirements
Attendance requirements for each component of the subject are indicated above.
There are must-pass assessment in this subject. Please check assessment descriptions for details.
Required texts
Coursework Assessments Procedures
Graduate School of Health Policy, Guidelines and Procedures (login required)
Recommended texts
Tolin, D. F. (2016). Doing CBT: A Comprehensive Guide to Working with Behaviors, Thoughts, and Emotions. New York: Guilford Press.
Newman, C.F. (2013). Core Competencies in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy. New York: Routledge