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Adult Anxiety Clinic
PLACEMENT INFORMATION FOR CLINICAL MASTERS & DOCTORAL INTERNS 2006
About the Adult Anxiety Clinic
The Clinic currently provides group treatment programs for Social Phobia and Generalised Anxiety Disorder. Individual treatment of other anxiety disorders is also made available on an ad hoc basis. Specific information about each program is provided below:
1. Social Phobia Program
The focus of the Social Anxiety program is on the structured assessment and group treatment of adults suffering from social phobia. Both the assessment and treatment approaches are cognitive behavioural in nature. As part of an ongoing treatment study, there are currently a number of different group programs being offered which vary in content. The types of CBT interventions used include cognitive therapy, attentional training, situational exposure and relaxation. All group programs involve 12 sessions over 12 weeks.
2. Generalised Anxiety Disorder Program
This is a new program developed by Dr. Maree Abbott for people with a primary diagnosis of Generalized Anxiety Disorder. The CBT group is an enhanced program using interventions that focus on meta-worry, schema work, and emotion processing. All group programs involve 12 sessions over 12 weeks.
3. Other Anxiety Disorders
Because MUARU provides an assessment before allocating clients to the most appropriate program, from time to time there are opportunities for individual treatment of other anxiety disorders.
About Placement . . .
There are four main areas of work that interns will be expected to undertake.
1. Structured Diagnostic Assessments
Structured diagnostic assessments are carried out for all clients to ascertain their suitability for the various treatment programs. These assessments can be lengthy, and 2-3 hours is typically allocated per assessment to allow adequate time for more complex cases. These assessments are then written into a brief report (usually no more than two pages). It is expected that reports be completed within one week of the initial assessment. Before undertaking assessments, new interns are asked to familiarise themselves with the Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule (ADIS) and other tests used in the assessment process. Interns then participate in a range of training exercises to help gain confidence and experience with the assessments and to ensure diagnostic reliability. Any problems with assessment can be addressed during the regular supervision process, and your supervisor will also review the first few reports.
2. Group Treatment Programs
New interns will be asked to run their first group with a more experienced clinician to help gain confidence in running the program. Any problems or queries can be covered during the normal supervision process. As with assessments, interns will be asked to prepare during the first weeks of placement by familiarising themselves with the relevant program, and reviewing its content.
3. Individual Treatment
Interns will also be asked to establish an ongoing individual client load of 1-2 clients. This experience will be used to help assess skills such as clinical interviewing, rapport building, case formulation, treatment planning, and dealing with treatment obstacles. Interns will be expected to give a case presentation towards the end of placement.
4. Research Administration
While on placement, interns are seen as an integral part of the Clinic. Students are therefore required to carry out a range of research-related administrative duties (e.g., collecting questionnaires from clients) during the normal course of their clinical experience. All research procedures will be reviewed with interns during their first few weeks of placement.
Other MUARU Activities
It is also hoped that interns will participate in the general ongoing nature of the Clinic by attending and participating in activities such as relevant meetings, professional development seminars and the various social events we hold throughout the year. It is important that interns feel part of the team and the support that comes with this.
Supervision
A placement at MUARU provides the opportunity to work with a number of clinical psychologists. Formal supervision will be provided by Jonathan Gaston. At the outset, your supervisor will usually negotiate a supervision contract with you, which will cover information such as the goals you would like to achieve while on placement, skills you would like to improve, etc. They will also set a date for both a mid-placement and end of placement review, where your overall progress and any ongoing problems can be discussed. Supervision will be one hour/week, at the same time if possible. Both group and individual supervision will be available.
Suitability for Placement . . . . . .
Interns are expected to visit the Clinic prior to coming on placement. This way they can find out more about what we do and whether the requirements of placement suit their needs. Due to the extended nature of the clinical programs, preference will be given to interns who can come on a longer placement. While not a requirement, it is certainly desirable if interns have some experience and background in both anxiety and cognitive behavioural therapy. The placement at MUARU is also one that puts demands on student’s ability to work independently and be well organised. It will therefore suit a student who can work effectively within an autonomous framework.
Getting Started . . . . . .
When starting placement, you will be taken through a full orientation process in regards to the running of the Clinic. You will also receive some reading and video material to review in the first few weeks to help you feel prepared for placement.
Recommended Reading
Rapee, R.M. (1998). Overcoming Shyness and Social Phobia: A Step-by-Step Guide. Australia: Lifestyle Press.
Rapee, R.M. & Sanderson, W.C. (1998). Social phobia: Clinical Application of Evidence-Based Psychotherapy. New Jersey: Jason Aronson.
Wells, A. (1997). Cognitive Therapy of Anxiety Disorders: A Practice Manual and Conceptual Guide. Wiley: Chichester.
Queries
If you have any further queries, please contact : Jonathan Gaston (02) 9850 8323; jgaston@psy.mq.edu.au
