Year
2020
Units
9
Contact
1 x 90-minute tutorial fortnightly
1 x 90-minute independent study weekly
2 x 7.5-hour industry placements weekly
1 x 60-minute supervised study weekly
Prerequisites
1 Admission into MCBT-Master of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
1a Admission into MCBH-Master of Counselling (Behavioural Health)
2 MHSC8033 - Clinical Practicum 1: Applications of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
Must Satisfy: ((1 or 1a) and 2)
Assumed knowledge
Practicum arrangements and access to an appropriate clinical service.
Assessment
Assignments
Topic description
The topic aims to provide each student undertaking a second clinical placement, opportunities to acquire and demonstrate extended competencies in the delivery of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) for people with high prevalence psychological disorders. The focus of the topic is the practicum that requires students to obtain a range of clinical, administrative and supervisory competencies with a particular emphasis on high intensity cognitive behaviour therapy (HICBT). Students will be required to administer and interpret specific clinical measures and tools, undertake clinical assessments, deliver structured interventions, complete case formulations and conceptualisations, maintain accurate and professional clinical documentation, engage and reflect in clinical supervision and meet all contractual obligations as outlined by the placement contracts.
Educational aims
The topic aims to offer each student a structured, clinical framework to extend and obtain competencies in the delivery of high intensity cognitive behaviour therapy (HICBT) with people experiencing high prevalence psychological disorders. Students will receive regular individual and group clinical supervision throughout the practicum. The topic covers several areas: case studies, assessment, cognitive and behavioural treatment models, case formulations, clinical supervision and reflective practice, clinical portfolio and audio recordings of clinical sessions. Students are required to undertake placement within their current workplace or submit an expression of interest to the Topic Coordinator for alternative options prior to the commencement of the topic. Students are required to meet all pre-placement and fit for placement requirements prior to undertaking the practicum.
Expected learning outcomes
On successful completion of this topic students will be able to:

  • Undertake comprehensive clinical assessments, which include specific rationales and individualised treatment plans for high prevalence psychological disorders.

  • Demonstrate specific clinical competencies in the delivery of cognitive behaviour therapy, in particular high intensity CBT (HICBT) for a range of psychological disorders.

  • Develop collaborative treatment plans with clients that are informed by best practice guidelines in the field of focussed psychological therapies. Display skills in the use of clinical supervision models within a cognitive behavioural framework.

  • Prepare Develop collaborative case formulations and conceptualisations informed by evidence-based models in CBT.

  • Combine clinical interventions in CBT with contemporary research to guide and inform practice.

  • Recognise the value of and participate inApply the principles of evidence-based professional practice and actively participate in competency-based clinical supervision. and reflective practice processes.

  • Apply a range of outcome measures that are validated and effective in determining clinically relevant changes for people with high prevalence psychological disorders.

  • Maintain accurate, professional and defensible clinical documentation.

  • Establish sound therapeutic relationships with clients, careers, other support persons and networks to enhance and maintain recovery.