Skip to main content
Start of main content.

PSYC71-608: Psychopathology and Therapy: Families, Children and Adolescents

Description

This subject provides 48 hours of advanced training in the assessment, diagnosis, classification and treatment of common and severe mental disorders and psychopathology in children and adolescents. The disorders covered include anxiety and depressive disorders, externalising problems, adjustment disorders, developmental disorders (including autism spectrum disorders), and suicide and self-harm. In this subject, students receive 10 hours of formal academic training in the mechanisms and aetiology of these disorders, including a critical examination of significant diagnostic systems and diagnostic criteria, 10 hours of formal academic training in the clinical, behavioural, and psychometric assessment of these problems, 24 hours of formal academic training in empirically validated psychological interventions, and 4 hours formal academic training in psychopharmacology as it applies to these disorders. Students will learn to reliably diagnose the disorders covered, and to plan and evaluate appropriate treatments.

Subject details

Type: Postgraduate Subject
Code: PSYC71-608
EFTSL: 0.125
Faculty: Faculty of Society and Design
Credit: 10
Study areas:
  • Psychology, Criminology, and Social Sciences
Subject fees:
  • Commencing in 2023: $5,640.00
  • Commencing in 2024: $5,760.00
  • Commencing in 2023: $6,070.00
  • Commencing in 2024: $6,440.00

Learning outcomes

  1. Apply evidence-based and scientific methods to professional practice across the lifespan in empirically valid and culturally responsive ways.
  2. Apply advanced psychological knowledge in formulation, and culturally responsive assessment in the area of clinical psychology.
  3. Apply advanced psychological knowledge to culturally responsive interventions in the area of clinical psychology.
  4. Implement appropriate, empirically supported interventions, and monitor clients’ progress and intervention outcomes.
  5. Conduct professional interviews and assessments and synthesise information from multiple sources, including assessment of risk, to formulate a conceptualisation of the presenting issues to determine the most appropriate interventions, including management of risk.
  6. Employ professional communication skills, in a culturally responsive manner.
  7. Perform appropriate standardised psychological testing, as part of broader assessment, to assess and interpret aspects of functioning.
  8. Identify psychological disorders using a recognised taxonomy.
  9. Utilise assessments and synthesise information from multiple sources, including assessment and management of risk.
  10. Interpret and communicate findings in oral and written formats, including formal psychological reports, using culturally appropriate language.
  11. Knowledge of supported interventions, and monitor clients’ progress and intervention outcomes.
  12. Critically evaluate contemporary scientific literature to inform practice.
  13. Demonstrate advanced psychological knowledge for clinical psychology formulation, diagnosis, and psychopharmacology.

Enrolment requirements

Requisites:

Nil

Assumed knowledge:

Assumed knowledge is the minimum level of knowledge of a subject area that students are assumed to have acquired through previous study. It is the responsibility of students to ensure they meet the assumed knowledge expectations of the subject. Students who do not possess this prior knowledge are strongly recommended against enrolling and do so at their own risk. No concessions will be made for students’ lack of prior knowledge.

Restrictions: This subject is not available to
  • Study Abroad Students

The Master of Psychology (Clinical) is an accredited 5th and 6th Year pathway towards registration as a Psychologist. Entry into this program is based on a calculated GPA derived from a completed four year sequence of study in Psychology as accredited by APAC as well as invitation into the degree. As such, this subject can only be taken by those students successfully admitted to the degree.

This subject is not available as a general elective. To be eligible for enrolment, the subject must be specified in the students’ program structure.

Related programs