Clinical Placement A2

The placement units in this degree are integrated into a placement program that runs across the years of the course. Clinical training at Swinburne is based on the problem formulation and hypothesis testing approach. The emphasis of this approach is on developing an optimal individualized formulation of each client or clinical challenge. Intervention choices and monitoring strategies flow directly from this formulation, which in turn will explicitly develop as treatment progresses. Accordingly, graduates of the program will be able to:
• Reach a detailed program formulation on the basis of both standardized and unstandardised assessments, and
• Design and conduct appropriate individual, group and family treatment intervention programs, with ongoing monitoring, and revision of problem formulation and interventions where necessary.

Clinical Placement A2 is a short duration placement with a focus on assessing and managing psychiatric symptoms. It builds directly upon the clinical experienced obtained in HAY556 Clinical Placement A1 and HAYC550 Adult Psychopathology. Depending on the student's experience and interests, Clinical Placement A2 may be conducted as an external placement in an appropriate psychiatric facility, but it is typically located at the Swinburne Psychology Clinic. When conducted at the Swinburne Psychology Clinic, the focus of the placement is on the assessment and management of more complex and severe cases as well as conducting manualised group treatments for particular diagnostic/problem groups. Treatment groups conducted at the Swinburne Psychology Clinic cover the diagnoses of obsessive compulsive disorder, bipolar disorder, social anxiety and eating problems. This placement experience is closely tied to the knowledge and skills developed in the subjects HAYC550 Adult Psychopathology and HAYC551 Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and Research.