External Placement A

Overview

This unit is the second placement unit, and students first external placement experience. Students will gain experience in the delivery of psychological services in real-world settings alongside the theoretical and simulated learning that takes place in the coursework units. The unit will provide opportunity for skill development in a supervised and structured environment where reflective practice is an important component of supervisory relationships. The aim is for students to further develop their clinical assessment, intervention, and case formulation skills consistent with a scientist-practitioner model. Professional ethics and behaviours, the development of confidence, and competence in the application of psychological practice skills is an integral component of this unit. This placement will be either in an education setting (eg school) or a general educational and developmental psychology setting

Unit learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

1. Integrate evidence-based psychological theory and practice to the relevant professional environment
2. Engage in ethical and professional psychological practice, consistent with current relevant legal frameworks, mental health practice standards and the occupational setting
3. Provide culturally safe, responsive, and high-quality psychological services that are responsive to the needs of clients and that consider broader socio-ecological systems

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Assessment

Content

• No less than 300 hours of psychological practice
• Regular supervision (individual and group)
• Regular professional development workshops 
• Placement administration  
• Engaging in self-awareness building and reflexive practice  
• Developing trauma-informed and culturally competent clinical practice skills
• Graduate Attribute 1 – Communication Skills: Verbal communication
• Graduate Attribute 2 – Communication Skills: Communicating using different media