Professional Ethics and Psychopharmacology
Duration
- One Semester or equivalent
Contact hours
- 36 Hours plus two 3 hour workshops
On-campus unit delivery combines face-to-face and digital learning.
Prerequisites
Admission into DR-CLIPSY - Doctor of Psychology (Clinical Psychology)
OR
Admission into DR-CFPSY - Doctor of Psychology (Clinical and Forensic Psychology)
OR
Admission into DR-CNSPSY - Doctor of Psychology (Counselling Psychology)
Equivalent
Aims and objectives
This unit of study has two six week components - advanced professional ethics and psychopharmacology.
Unit Learning Outcomes (ULO)
On successful completion of this unit students will be able to:
1. Utilise an in-depth understanding of psychopharmacology in the treatment of a range of mental health disorders
2. Apply a body of knowledge that includes the extended understanding of the Australian Psychological Society Code of Ethics and Ethical Guidelines as they apply to confidentiality and informed consent, professional boundaries, report writing and record keeping, and cultural issues
3. Demonstrate knowledge of the major neurobiological pathways implicated in mental health disorders and the pharmacological treatments that act on these pathways
Unit information in detail
- Teaching methods, assessment and content.
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
Type | Hours per week | Number of Weeks | Total |
On-Campus Seminar | 3 | 12 | 36 |
On-Campus Workshop | 3 | 2 | 6 |
Unspecified Activities Independent learning | 9 | 12 | 108 |
TOTAL | 150 hours |
Assessment
Types | Individual/Group Role | Weighting | Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs) |
Case Studies | Individual | 50% | 2 |
| Presentation | Group | 30% | 1, 3 |
| Report | Individual | 20% | 1, 2, 3 |
Content
Ethics component:
- Confidentiality and informed consent
- Professional boundaries
- Report writing and record keeping
- Cultural issues
Psychopharmacology component:
- Principles of chemical transmission, the action of disease and drugs on chemical transmission
- Neurochemical bases of bipolar depression, anxiety disorders, psychosis, dementia and Alzheimer's disease
- Specific neurochemical actions of mood stabilizers, anxiolytics and sedative hypnotics, antipsychotics and cognitive enhancers
- Doctoral students will further develop their therapeutic skills by participating in an advanced-level workshop on principles of e-therapy and e-supported therapy
Study resources
- Reading materials.
Reading materials
Students are advised to check the unit outline in the relevant teaching period for appropriate textbooks and further reading.