Overview

The primary aim of this placement is to help students to make the transition from formal professional training to the clinical practice setting. Students will see clients from a range of diverse backgrounds and life stages. They will be expected to conduct psychological assessments, develop case formulations, and implement treatment plans in a culturally safe manner. A further aim is for students is to understand the role that supervision plays in professional practice.

Requisites

Prerequisites

NIL

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
03-March-2025
01-June-2025
Last self-enrolment date
16-March-2025
Census date
31-March-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
24-April-2025
Results released date
08-July-2025
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
04-August-2025
02-November-2025
Last self-enrolment date
17-August-2025
Census date
31-August-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
19-September-2025
Results released date
09-December-2025

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Take a comprehensive clinical and developmental history, conduct a mental status examination, develop a case formulation and treatment plan.
  • Administer, score and interpret a range of psychological tests, and write comprehensive psychological reports.
  • Assess, diagnose and treat psychological disorders across the lifespan.
  • Implement a wide range of psychological therapies with individuals, families, and groups.

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Activity Type Activity Total Hours Number of Weeks Hours Per Week
Placement Placement 180 12 weeks 15
Total Hours: 180 Total Hours (per week): 15

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
Progress Evaluation Individual  Pass/Fail 1,2,3,4 
Reflective Journal Individual  Pass/Fail 1,2,3,4 
Placement activities logbook Individual  Pass/Fail 1,2,3,4 
Pre-placement contract Individual  Pass/Fail 1,2,3,4 
Report Individual  Pass/Fail 1,2,3,4 
Report Individual  Pass/Fail 1,2,3,4 
Progress Report Individual  Pass/Fail 1,2,3,4 
Case Report Individual  Pass/Fail 1,3

Content

Practice issues:

  • Therapeutic practice
  • Psychological assessment
  • Risk assessment
  • Case formulation 
  • Administration experience
  • Supervision
  • Reflective practice 
  • Attendance at professional development seminars

Ethical and professional issues:

  • Ethical decision making
  • Professional registration 
  • Compliance with APS Code of Ethics
  • Cultural sensitivity        
  • Supervision

Graduate attributes:

  • Graduate Attribute 1 (Communication 1 - Verbal Communication)
  • Graduate Attribute 2 (Communication 2 - Communicating using different media)
  • Graduate Attribute 3 (Teamwork 1 - Collaboration and negotiation)
  • Graduate Attribute 4 (Teamwork – Teamwork roles and processes)
  • Graduate Attribute 5 (Digital literacies– Information literacy)
  • Graduate Attribute 6 (Digital Literacies 2 - Technical literacy)

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.