Psychology Practice with Children and Adolescents
Overview
The aim of this unit is to provide students with: A detailed understanding of the disorders seen in infancy, childhood and adolescence according to the most recent Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) An understanding of the key principles relevant to conducting psychological assessments with children /adolescents and their families in order for formulation, diagnosis and treatment planning. An appreciation of the importance of understanding “normal†child development and taking a developmental perspective when working with children, adolescents and their families An understanding of a psychodynamic and other theoretical frameworks for understanding child development and behaviour An understanding of a range of treatment options for disorders in infancy, childhood and adolescence.
Requisites
Rules
Pre-requisite
Admission to the Masters of Psychology ( Clinical Psychology)
26-May-2024
Learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
- Understand the importance of normal child development
- Understand the role of early experiences in shaping children’s development and behaviour
- Consider possible diagnoses and differential diagnoses
- Develop a comprehensive case formulation and treatment plan
- Write assessment reports
- Discuss case relevant issues and consider a range of factors that might influence clinical presentations
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
---|---|---|---|
Face to Face Contact (Phasing out) Seminar | 3.00 | 12 weeks | 36 |
Unspecified Learning Activities (Phasing out) Independent Learning | 9.50 | 12 weeks | 114 |
TOTAL | 150 |
Assessment
Type | Task | Weighting | ULO's |
---|---|---|---|
Case Report | Individual | 60% | 1,2,3,4,5,6 |
Case Studies | Individual | 0% | 1,2,3,4,5,6 |
Report | Group | 40% | 1,2,6 |
Hurdle
As the minimum requirements of assessment to pass a unit and meet all ULOs to a minimum standard, an undergraduate student must have achieved:
Content
This unit introduces students to the area of child and adolescent psychopathology, with a specific focus on assessment, diagnosis, and treatment. The importance of understanding “normal†child development and taking a developmental perspective when working with children, adolescents and their families is emphasized. Students will be introduced to a psychodynamic and other theoretical frameworks for understanding child development and behaviour. Students will be expected to attain a detailed understanding of some of the common problems seen in infancy, childhood and adolescence.
Topics cover the broad areas of:
- The area of child and adolescent psychopathology, with a specific focus on assessment, formulation, diagnosis, and treatment.
- The importance of understanding “normal†child development and taking a developmental perspective when working with children, adolescents and their families is emphasized.
- Theoretical frameworks, including a psychodynamic  framework for understanding child development and behaviour.
- A detailed understanding of some of the common problems seen in infancy, childhood and adolescence.
- Treatment options and the role of medication in child psychopathology
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.