Overview

The aim of this second and final external placement is to develop advanced levels of competencies across the range of clinical psychology practice areas, including: assessment; intervention; ethical, legal and professional practice; research and evaluation; and communication and interprofessional learning.

Requisites

Equivalent units

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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
02-March-2026
31-May-2026
Last self-enrolment date
15-March-2026
Census date
31-March-2026
Last withdraw without fail date
21-April-2026
Results released date
07-July-2026
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
03-August-2026
01-November-2026
Last self-enrolment date
16-August-2026
Census date
01-September-2026
Last withdraw without fail date
22-September-2026
Results released date
08-December-2026

Unit learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
 

  1. Assess a client’s history and mental state to develop evidence-based case formulations
  2. Independently administer and interpret a range of psychological assessments and communicate the findings of these assessments in comprehensive psychological reports.
  3. Use advanced knowledge of mental disorders to prepare and deliver evidence-based treatment plans.
  4. Apply and evaluate a range of therapeutic modalities and interventions, including case management, individual therapy, family therapy and/or group interventions with increasing independence.
  5. Apply the principles and practice of interprofessional learning by participating in case conferences, team meetings, making appropriate referrals to other allied health professionals, and relevant professional development within the context of a multidisciplinary team.

Teaching methods

All Applicable Locations

Activity Type Activity Total Hours Number of Weeks Hours Per Week Venue Type and Activity Detail
Placement Placement 360 24 weeks 15 Placement in an external agency
Total Hours: 360 Total Hours (per week): 15  

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
Reflective Journal Individual  Pass/Fail 1,2,3,4,5
Pre-placement contract Individual  Pass/Fail 1,2,3,4,5
Placement activities logbook Individual  Pass/Fail  1,2,3,4,5
Case Study Report Individual  Pass/Fail 1,2,3,4,5
Professional Experience Report Individual Pass/Fail 1,2,3,4,5
Progress Report Individual Individual Pass/Fail 1,2,3,4,5

Content

  • The final professional placement course is designed to further develop clinical skills introduced in the initial external placement. Students will be given opportunities to practice their skills while being supervised, however are expected to function more independently in the role of provisional clinical psychologist. Students are expected to engage further in interdisciplinary practice, further developing their identify as clinical psychologists and this is reflected in sophisticated written and oral communication skills. This placement is again undertaken in external field setting and can only commence after placement B1 is successfully completed and passed. Trainees will typically be under the direct daily supervision of an on-site psychologist who meets supervisor registration standards as set out by AHPRA. 
  • Clinical Placement B2 can occur at a variety of settings, depending upon the trainee's experience, skill and interests, and the availability of appropriate on-site supervision and a useful training role in the organisation. Placement choices must be planned well in advance and trainees must demonstrate flexibility in relation to placement opportunities and travel. This includes availability to undertake placement during working hours for at least 2 days per week. It is essential to start the placement planning process early to ensure you secure a position on time. 
  • In discussion with the placement coordinator, trainees must consider the requirement for breadth of experience as well as their own skill development needs, comparative to the setting undertaken in B1. It is a requirement of the course that trainees have experience with a wide range of client problems (e.g., acute as well as chronic presentations), across the age range (i.e., child, adolescent, adult, older adult), settings (e.g., inpatient, outpatient, day patient, community), and employ a variety of clinical skills (e.g., assessment, treatment, professional).

Study resources

Reading materials

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