MHSC8024 Theoretical Foundations in Behavioural-Cognitive Psychotherapy 2

2012

4.5

1 x 130-hour independent study per semester
1 x 3-hour on-line lecture fortnightly
1 x 2-hour on-line tutorial fortnightly

1 Admission into GDPMHS-Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Sciences
1a Admission into MMHS-Master of Mental Health Sciences
2 1 of : MHSC8020, MHSC8001
Must Satisfy: ((1 or 1a) and 2)

MHSC8005 has been successfully completed

Must be a registered health professional

Assignments; Examinations; Oral; Tutorial Participation

This topic introduces students to various cognitive processes such as the role of attention and memory as components of information processing. In doing so students will gain an understanding into how such cognitive processes influence the development, acquisition and maintenance of a range of complex or resistant psychological disorders including depression and psychosis. As with the previous ¿Theoretical Foundations¿ topic, the epistemology and empirical findings related to the various cognitive processes will be explored. This will be in the context of extrapolating theoretical underpinnings to clinical practice and how individual presentations differ in their presentations. Use will be made of the Stress-Vulnerability concept in considering individual differences and the development of psychopathology. Specific Cognitive and Behavioural models that have been developed to explain how changes in a person¿s cognitive processing will be explored and the limitations & strengths of such models considered.

The topic will further address theoretical and methodological aspects of basic mental processes in terms of attention, perception, memory, language and problem solving with an emphasis on development and maintenance of psychological disorders such as depression and psychosis. The history and development of Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy will be examined with reference to the emergence of cognitive models. A critical examination of the fundamental theories of the acquisition and maintenance of clinical problems will enable the development of a firm understanding of the origins of Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy. Students will understand the scientific epistemology that is Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy. They will critically determine the research methodologies associated with the therapy and analyse alternate methodologies. The purpose of introducing research methods and methodology here is to ensure that students have a basic understanding in preparation for developing their own research projects, and to reinforce the value of a scientist-practitioner approach.

On completion of this topic students will be able to:

1. Contextualise the above Cognitive and Behavioural theories within the wider field of science and human understanding.

2. Demonstrate knowledge of the key principles relevant to information processing theories, the stress-vulnerability model, and the cognitive model of depression

3. Demonstrate how these theories account for the development, acquisition and maintenance of complex and resistant psychological disorders.

4. Discuss the various models of Cognitive Behavioural theory relevant to clinical practice in complex and resistant cases.

5. Apply concepts from Cognitive Behavioural and Biopsychosocial models to generate hypotheses about the development and maintenance of complex psychological disorders such as depression and psychosis.

6. Critically discuss theoretical models of information processing and stress-vulnerability, being aware of the strengths and limitations of each.