Clinical Coursework I comprises a number of modules covering a range topics designed to lay the foundations for further clinical coursework and to prepare the student for the initial experience of clinical practice, such as:

• Psychopathology and Intervention I (Depressive Disorders; Anxiety Disorders; Unified Protocol)
• Clinical Psychological Assessment
• Child Psychopathology and Intervention
• Ethics and Clinical Practice
• Clinical Skills Workshop

 For further information on the course details please see the Clinical Psychology Program Handbook.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Demonstrate a range of counselling skills, conduct structured and semi-structured clinical interviews and demonstrate the ability to make systematic observations of relevant behaviour during the clinical assessment/treatment process.
2. Understand and employ psychometric theory and techniques in conducting psychological assessments and evaluating psychological tests; administer, score and interpret commonly used psychological tests measuring intellectual ability and psychopathology; prepare formal psychological reports and communicate assessment results to clients and other stakeholders; and demonstrate knowledge of the DSM-5 diagnostic classification system.
3. Diagnose common childhood psychological disorders, observe and assess children’s social behaviour and deliver a formulation regarding a child’s presenting problem(s) in a collaborative fashion.
4. Demonstrate the ability to research, understand, and resolve clinical and professional ethical issues as outlined by the Australian Psychological Society Code of Ethics and Ethical Guidelines, Psychology Board of Australia Guidelines for Practice, and other relevant professional guidelines and regulatory legislation.
5. Provide evidence-based formulations and employ CBT techniques and strategies to treat clients presenting with emotional disorders.
6. Apply advanced psychological knowledge to culturally responsive interventions in the area of clinical psychology

Research-Led Teaching

All lecturers will make use of evidence drawn from relevant disciplinary research to benefit student learning and outcomes. Some may share their own research findings with

students. This will provide students with special insights into the specific topics discussed. Having access to lecturers who are also key leaders in the field may mean that the

listed lecture sequence, that is, the lecture topics may change to another week in order to accommodate access to these experts.

Required Resources

Required readings and other resources will be listed or uploaded on LMS throughout the course. These will be provided for each session (lectures and tutorials).

Recommended Resources

Whether you are on campus or studying online, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video conferencing for interactive learning, email and other messaging tools for communication, interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities, print and/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Other Information

Students must be eligible for registration as a psychologist in the ACT. This course is assessed on a Course Requirement Satisfied (CRS) or Fail basis. Students must satisfactorily complete all assessment tasks in order to pass the course.

Referencing Requirements

Psychology uses the referencing style endorsed by the American Psychological Association: American Psychological Association. (2019). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.

Student feedback to staff

In addition to student feedback provided through ANU Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELTS) surveys, students may also be invited to provide course-specific feedback through a feedback survey developed by the lecturers within the Master of Clinical Psychology program.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Psychopathology and Intervention I: Course overview and introduction to psychopathology.
2	Ethics in Professional Practice: Principles of ethics and relevant legislation.
3	Clinical Skills Workshop: Counselling skills; assessment and interviewing; structured clinical interviews and formulation; child assessment and initial engagement.
4	Clinical Psychological Assessment: Clinical interviewing; psychometrics and measurement; and taxonomies of psychopathology.
5	Child Psychopathology and Intervention: Child and family assessment, case formulation and externalising problems.
6	Ethics in Professional Practice: Mandatory child reporting and child protection training.
7	Psychopathology and Intervention I: Anxiety disorders.
8	Ethics in Professional Practice: Roles and responsibilities; record keeping; working with vulnerable and marginalised groups; subpoenas and appearing in court.
9	Clinical Skills Workshop: Working with thoughts, emotions and behaviours
10	Clinical Skills Workshop: OSCE information session and practical skills in risk assessment, formulation and treatment planning with children.
11	Clinical Psychological Assessment: Administration, scoring and interpretation of personality and intellectual ability assessments.
12	Clinical Skills Workshop: Administering and interpreting psychometric tests and providing feedback to clients.
13	Psychopathology and Intervention I: Obsessive compulsive disorder, depression, traumatic stress disorders and relapse prevention.
14	Child Psychopathology and Intervention: Internalising problems; autism spectrum disorders; other childhood difficulties; adversity and resilience.
15	Clinical Skills Workshop: Unified Protocol for children and creative interventions for children and adolescents.
16	Clinical Skills Workshop: Working with trauma
17	Clinical Psychological Assessment: Report writing and client feedback.
18	Clinical Skills Workshop: Working therapeutically with risk and the psychologist in the counselling space.

Tutorial Registration

ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
1.Psychopathology and Intervention I: Reflective task	4 %	6
2.Psychopathology and Intervention I: Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)	8 %	1, 5
3.Psychopathology and Intervention I: Case presentation to supervisor	8 %	1, 2, 5, 6
4.Clinical Psychological Assessment: PAI interpretation report	4 %	1, 2, 4, 5, 6
5.Clinical Psychological Assessment: Psychometric evaluation essay	4 %	2, 4, 6
6.Clinical Psychological Assessment: Integrated psychological report	4 %	1, 2, 4, 5, 6
7.Clinical Psychological Assessment: WAIS administration and report	5 %	1, 2, 6
8.Clinical Psychological Assessment: Clinical skills workshop assessments	3 %	1, 2, 4, 5, 6
9.Child Psychopathology and Intervention: Discussion of weekly readings	1 %	3, 4, 6
10.Child Psychopathology and Intervention: Working with Indigenous children & families reflection	3 %	4,6
11.Child Psychopathology and Intervention: Video & written reflection	6 %	1, 3, 5
12.Child Psychopathology and Intervention: Case formulation & intervention plan	10 %	2, 3, 4, 5
13.Ethics and Clinical Practice: Legislation & ethical codes quiz	5 %	4, 6
14.Ethics and Clinical Practice: Mandatory reporting & sexualised behaviours quiz	5 %	4, 6
15.Ethics and Clinical Practice: Responses to ethical dilemmas essay	10 %	4, 6
16.Clinical Skills Workshops: Reflective task	1 %	4
17.Clinical Skills Workshops: MINI Neuropsychiatric interview	1 %	1, 2
18.Clinical Skills Workshops: Clinical note writing task	2 %	5
19.Clinical Skills Workshops: Role play	8 %	1, 5
20.Clinical Skills Workshops: Class participation	2 %	5, 6
21.Clinical Skills Workshops: Demonstration of Clinical Interview and Assessment	6 %	1

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

Students will be participating in discussions and other activities during class time. You will also be undertaking readings prior to lectures which provide vital foundations for lecture content and activities. Students are not formally assessed on these tasks, but they provide the foundation for understanding key concepts and skills related to the course, and assessable components of the course, and therefore important to enrich your engagement with content and learning as a result. As such, students are expected to attend and participate in all aspects of the course to support their learning, including readings before each class. A register of attendance will be kept, ensuring registration can be obtained at the completion of the program.

Assessment Task 1

1.Psychopathology and Intervention I: Reflective task

Students will complete a written reflective activity based on the class discussions regarding client engagement and working with diverse clients. The reflection will focus on cultural considerations and formulation with culturally diverse clients. It provides an opportunity for students to develop their understanding of culturally informed practice.

Due Date: Week 3

Assessment Task 2

2.Psychopathology and Intervention I: Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)

Students will complete an individual role play (no more than 30 minutes). This task enables students to demonstrate their learnings in risk assessment, specifically in engaging with a client in a collaborative manner, establishing a therapeutic alliance, assessing for risk of harm to oneself, and responding to identified risk effectively. The role play will be recorded for the purpose of grading and provision of feedback. Detailed information about the assignment requirements, including confirmation of the OSCE schedule for each student, will be made available on the course site closer to the date and discussed in class with students throughout the semester.

Due Date: Week 6

Assessment Task 3

3.Psychopathology and Intervention I: Case presentation to supervisor

Each student will have half an hour to present the background, assessment tools, formulation and treatment plan for a fictitious client (provided as a vignette). The assessment task will aide students in preparing for their first internal clinic placement where they will be routinely needing to verbally present cases to their supervisors in a clear and concise way which conveys critical thinking about their plans for their client.

Due Date: Week 12

Assessment Task 4

4.Clinical Psychological Assessment: PAI interpretation report

Students will be required to interpret a PAI protocol (i.e., practice case) and write a brief report (500-1000 words) to communicate the results to another mental health professional. The PAI protocol will be distributed to students at least one week prior to the due date.

Due Date: Week 8

Assessment Task 5

5.Clinical Psychological Assessment: Psychometric evaluation essay

Students will be required to select a relevant tool (please discuss your choice with the convenor to ensure proper scope and research available), provide a detailed review (1500-2000 words) of its psychometric properties, and make a recommendation for or against its clinical utility.

Due Date: Week 5

Assessment Task 6

6.Clinical Psychological Assessment: Integrated psychological report

Students will be required to complete a full psychological assessment report in accordance with the recommendations provided in class. The report will be based on the interview (Reason for Referral and Background sections) and WAIS-IV assessment results that students obtained from classmates (as a simulated client). It will also include the Behavioural Observations and Results sections that students will have previously written and a Summary and Recommendations section. You will also video record a 30-minute feedback session to your classmate (while they again act as their simulated client).

Due Date: week 12

Assessment Task 7

7.Clinical Psychological Assessment: WAIS administration and report

Students will be required to conduct a brief clinical interview (approximately 30 minutes) and administer the WAIS-IV to a classmate who will engage with the interview and testing as a simulated client. Marking will emphasise test administration, clinical skills, scoring, and interpretation. A brief report (Behavioural Observations and Test Results sections only) are to be written to communicate the results to another mental health professional.

Due Date: week 11

Assessment Task 8

8.Clinical Psychological Assessment: Clinical skills workshop assessments

Students are expected to attend Clinical Skills Workshops throughout the semester. During these workshops students will engage in both formative and summative exercises, including (but not limited to) personal reflections, structured and unstructured clinical interviews, counselling skills, writing professional letters, CBT techniques, and an end-of-semester viva. More information on the assessable components of the CSW will be reviewed during the first workshop. Collectively, the assessable skills will be evaluated by Clinical Skills Workshop convener and students will be given a single grade reflecting an aggregation of these assessments.

Due Date: Each workshop throughout semester

Assessment Task 9

9.Child Psychopathology and Intervention: Discussion of weekly readings

During lectures the lecturer will facilitate discussion regarding the weeks' required readings and encourage students to critically reflect on these.

Due Date: Each class throughout semester

Assessment Task 10

10.Child Psychopathology and Intervention: Working with Indigenous children & families reflection

This assessment task requires students to critically reflect on important factors and principles to consider when working with Indigenous children and families as well as cite relevant peer-reviewed journal articles that may help in developing a culturally safe and sensitive framework for working with Indigenous children and families.

Due Date: Week 6

Assessment Task 11

11.Child Psychopathology and Intervention: Video & written reflection

Students will record themselves delivering a formulation to a ‘parent’ about their child’s presenting problems. The formulation content will be provided to students, however they will have to review relevant literature to help guide their conceptualisation and understanding of this material and how it will inform the treatment approach. After viewing their own video, students will complete a 700 word self-appraisal report of their observations and reflections regarding how they applied key strategies outlined in the Guided Participation Model of Parental Feedback (Sanders & Burke, 2014; Sanders & Lawton, 1993)

Due Date: Week 7

Assessment Task 12

12.Child Psychopathology and Intervention: Case formulation & intervention plan

Students are given a brief case description and are required to develop a case formulation and assessment and intervention plan. The case formulation should outline hypotheses that are developed using information provided in the case vignette and relevant theoretical (e.g., developmental models of child psychopathology) and empirical knowledge. The assessment plan should describe how these hypotheses will be tested, as well as how the therapist might navigate the process of the initial assessment. Moreover, the intervention plan should delineate possible approaches to treatment that are contingent on data collected during initial assessments. Relevant literature should be cited where appropriate. Students are also required to develop a 1-page “resource sheet” containing links and references to online and other (e.g., books, videos) resources that could be given to parents and/or teachers as part of the intervention.

Due Date: Week 12

Assessment Task 13

13.Ethics and Clinical Practice: Legislation & ethical codes quiz

Using the resources provided, students are required to complete an on-line test of their understanding of Legislation applicable to psychologists, the APS Code of Ethics and Ethical Guidelines, and the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) Standards and Guidelines in response to ethical and professional scenarios.

Due Date: Week 1

Assessment Task 14

14.Ethics and Clinical Practice: Mandatory reporting & sexualised behaviours quiz

Using the resources provided, students are required to complete an on-line test of their understanding of legal and professional issues pertaining to mandatory reporting requirements, abuse and neglect, and recognising child sexualised behaviours in response to ethical and professional scenarios.

Due Date: Week 2

Assessment Task 15

15.Ethics and Clinical Practice: Responses to ethical dilemmas essay

Students will be provided with several ethical dilemmas and, with reference to relevant APS Code of Conduct and Ethical guidelines as well as any pertinent legislation, are required to outline the professional response to resolving one of these dilemmas. Additionally, students are required to provide a written personal reflection on the issue.

Due Date: Week 3

Assessment Task 16

16.Clinical Skills Workshops: Reflective task

Being able to reflect in the moment is an important skill to develop. Therefore, at the end of each workshop and often at times during it students will be expected to provide their reflections on their learning from that workshop. Students' ability to reflect will be assessed at each time point and in the moment feedback provided to help you shape their reflective skills.

Due Date: Each workshop throughout semester

Assessment Task 17

17.Clinical Skills Workshops: MINI Neuropsychiatric interview

Students will be asked to complete a MINI Neuropsychiatric Interview on a simulated client during a Clinical Skills Workshop session. Students will be required to interview one of the workshop instructors who will present as a simulated client. Students will be graded on your interviewing skills and the completed interview form, which you will submit at the end of class.

Due Date: Week 2

Assessment Task 18

18.Clinical Skills Workshops: Clinical note writing task

Students will be asked to provide typed initial assessment notes on the provided template. Instructions will be given during the workshop. Students will be provided with an example of an appropriate initial assessment note. The marking criteria will be provided in class and will be available on Wattle.

Due Date: Week 9

Assessment Task 19

19.Clinical Skills Workshops: Role play

Students will be provided with a case study featuring a client’s presenting issues and will conduct an initial interview with another student role-playing the client based on the presenting issues. In the second part of the assessment, students will be asked to conduct a treatment session demonstrating a range of clinical intervention skills as well as write clinical notes for both sections and provide a 1-2 page reflection.

Due Date: Week 9

Assessment Task 20

20.Clinical Skills Workshops: Class participation

Developing in the moment reflection skills is essential for psychologists. Students' participation in class activities will be assessed by means of regular individual student verbal reflections conducted during class.

Due Date: Each workshop throughout semester

Assessment Task 21

21.Clinical Skills Workshops: Demonstration of Clinical Interview and Assessment

Students will be provided with a case study of a client and will be asked to conduct an initial interview with another student role-playing the client based on the presenting problems, consistent with how they would proceed in an initial assessment session.

Due Date: Week 9

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part

thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material. Any use of artificial intelligence must be properly referenced. Failure to properly cite use of Generative AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity.

Returning Assignments

Assignments are required to be submitted electronically via the Turnitin link attached to the Wattle site and will be marked approximately two to three weeks after the submission date.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

Grading in the Master of Clinical Psychology Program reflects achievement of competencies as appropriate to developmental level. As such, students will be provided with grades indicating that competency has been met (Course Requirement Satisfied: CRS) or not met (Fail).

Failure to submit an assignment of a high standard which meets requirements for a passing grade (CRS) will result in a student receiving feedback on the area/s requiring remediation and one opportunity for resubmission of the assignment to address these issues. This opportunity is provided only in circumstances where a genuine attempt to address the assignment requirements was determined to be made in the first submission. If the resubmission satisfactorily addresses the issues identified, a grade of CRS will be awarded for the task. Should a student fail the re-submission, this will result in overall failure of the assessment piece, and thus the course, which will need to be repeated in a future offering.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Accessibility for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students.