Department of Psychology
Units
GENERAL
PSYS834 Counselling and Professional Practice
PSYS833 Social Health Perspectives
PSYS805 Narrative Approaches
PSYS841 Contemporary Issues
PSYS812 Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
PSYS831 Advanced Counselling & Placement
SPECIALIST STRANDS
PSYS823 Working with Children and Families
PSYS813 Child Abuse and Neglect (CAN)
Alcohol & Other Drug (AOD) Strand
PSYS824 Drugs and Social Health 1
PSYS825 Drugs and Social Health 11
NARATIVE STRAND
Master of Social Health Units
PSYS803 Working with Groups & Placement
PSYS832 Invitations to Responsibility
PSYS830 Trauma: Legacies and Interventions
PSYS829 Narrative and Community Interventions
PSYS837 Research Project 1
PSYS838 Research Project 11
PSYS834 COUNSELLING AND PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
Workshops |
1. Counselling 1 / Small group practice |
Workshop Tasks |
Workshop 1 – Counselling |
Assignments |
1. Live Skills Assessment | |
This highly interactive unit will concentrate on providing practical training in basic counselling skills such as reflective listening and empathic responding. The development of these skills to more advanced counselling techniques for "what to do next" will also be covered. In particular, theories about how empathy works and the role of empathic counselling skills in boosting effectiveness for almost all kinds of therapeutic approaches will be discussed and practiced.
Outcomes
On successful completion of the counselling unit students will have:
- A solid understanding of basic counselling theory and theories of change
- Developed skills in interviewing and counselling
- Knowledge of the codes of practice for counsellors and how these are applied in practice.
- Understanding of the legal and ethical boundaries for counselling practice.
- Skills in the assessment and management of suicidal clients including reporting of suicide risk
- Understanding of the role of supervision for professional development and skills for establishing a supervisory alliance.
- Understanding of responsibilities and ethics in a supervisory alliance
Competencies
On successful completion of the counselling unit, students will have the theory, knowledge and skills practice to:
- Demonstrate the key counselling skills
- Obtain information, develop relationships, explore the nature of services required, and investigate issues in a counselling relationship
- Establish good rapport with clients
- Conduct interviews with clients to establish goals for the therapeutic intervention.
- Identify clients at risk of suicide and implement interventions for suicide prevention.
- Seek out and develop a supervisory alliance and establish a supervision contract.
- Establish and conduct a peer-consultation arrangement
PSYS833 SOCIAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES
Workshops |
1. Critical Thinking / Mental Health |
Workshop Tasks |
Workshop 2 – Culture |
Assignments |
1. Mental Health Essay |
An exploration of various approaches to the construction of health, wellness, illness, abnormality and deviancy with a focus on socio-cultural perspectives. Issues covered include:
- Indigenous sensitivity training
- Indigenous counselling
- Narrative approaches
- Critical thinking
- Systemic/political/socio-cultural Issues
- Working with interpreters
- Culturally sensitive case conceptualisation
Outcomes
On successful completion of the Social Health Perspectives unit students will have:
- An introduction to narrative approaches to counselling.
- Developed an understanding of the impact of colonisation on Indigenous people and how this may affect their identity, health and well being.
- Developed sensitivity to different cultural and indigenous values
- Developed knowledge and skills in culturally appropriate practice with Indigenous and CALD clients.
- Knowledge and skills for working with interpreters.
- Developed critical thinking skills for reflecting on social and cultural values and the impact of these on clients and work practices.
- Developed skills and knowledge in motivational interviewing and the application of this model in their work with clients.
- Developed an understanding of working with clients with alcohol and other drug issues, with particular focus on Drug Crime Diversion options.
Competencies
On successful completion of the Social Health Perspectives unit, students will have the theory, knowledge and skills practice to:
- Work with clients in an ethically and culturally sensitive manner
- Employ critical thinking skills in assessing the impact of systemic political and socio-cultural factors on client well being.
- Employ a variety of skills and techniques for engaging and working with Indigenous and CALD clients
- Assess the need for cultural consultation and seek out appropriate services
- Demonstrate techniques and strategies for working with clients to increase the possibility of change (applying skills in motivational interviewing).
- Work with a variety of Drug Crime Diversionary programs
- Seek possible opportunities for work within Drug Crime Diversion teams
PSYS805 NARRATIVE APPROACHES
Workshops |
1. Narrative 1 |
Compulsory Workshop Task |
Workshop 1 – Files |
Assignments |
1. Narrative live skills demonstration |
Introduction to the theory and practice of narrative approaches which involves a socio-cultural and social justice perspective. This is an interactive unit, with considerable emphasis on skills practice and development in workshops and in small group supervision sessions.
Outcomes
On successful completion of the Narrative unit, students will have:
- A solid theoretical foundation in Narrative theory
- An awareness of the impact of the social discourses that frame the individual, social and cultural worlds of clients.
- Understanding of deconstruction and how this may be applied in a counselling context.
- Understanding and knowledge of skills for narrative interventions and how these may be applied across different situations.
Competencies
On successful completion of the Narrative Approaches unit, students will have the theory, knowledge and skills practice to:
- Interview clients and construct a narrative "assessment" and formulation of the presenting issue.
- Develop an intervention plan
- Demonstrate narrative counselling skills including:
- externalising conversations
- deconstruction
- re-authoring
- re-membering
- reflecting teams
- witnessing
- narrative letter writing
PSYS841 CONTEMPORARY ISSUES
Workshops |
1. Domestic Violence |
Workshop Task |
Workshop 3 – Mediation |
Assignments |
1. Domestic Violence Report |
This unit provides theory and skills training in many different approaches for psychological interventions in areas that are frequently encountered in psychological practice such as trauma, grief and loss, and narrative mediation. Skills training in anger management is provided in this unit.
Outcomes
On successful completion of the Contemporary Issues unit students will have:
- Knowledge and understanding of adolescent development and specific adolescent issues
- Knowledge and understanding of the short and long term impact of trauma
- Knowledge of theories of trauma, PTSD and other dissociative disorders.
- Knowledge and practice in interventions with clients who have experienced trauma
- Theory and interventions for working with clients experiencing grief and loss
- Understanding of the impact of DV on women and children
- Theory and interventions for working with clients experiencing domestic violence
- Theory and understanding of adolescent development and issues relevant to youth
- Knowledge and skills in narrative mediation
- An introduction to Dialectic Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
- Skills training in anger management approaches and stress management techniques
- Skills training in relaxation strategies for the management of trauma symptoms
- Knowledge and understanding of resilience theory
Competencies
On successful completion of the Contemporary Issues unit, students will have the theory, knowledge and skills practice to:
- Demonstrate the application of general counselling and narrative counselling skills in working with adolescent clients, and families experiencing specific issues relating to trauma, grief and loss.
- Work therapeutically with women and children experiencing domestic violence
- Develop and conduct a narrative mediation plan with clients demonstrating skills in:
- Engagement
- Naming the conflict
- Historicising and exploring the effects of the conflict
- Relative influence questioning
- Deconstructing dominant discourses
- Identify opening to alternate story and develop preferred story
- Re-authoring of relationship story
- Develop interventions with clients to address anger
- Develop interventions to address the legacies of trauma
PSYS812 COGNITIVE BEHAVIOURAL THERAPY
WORKSHOPS |
1. CBT 1 |
ASSESSMENTS |
1. CBT skills (3 hours live assessment) |
This unit provides theory and skills training in CBT. A particular focus on practice ensures that participants have opportunities for supervision in these skills and to develop confidence to employ CBT across many different treatment areas. Mindfulness based interventions are introduced and skills training in a range of relaxation strategies is provided.
Outcomes
On successful completion of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) students will have:
- A solid theoretical background in CBT
- Theory and skills development in the identification, assessment and treatment of anxiety and depression
- Knowledge and understanding of the application of the CBT methods in counselling to variety of presenting problems such as anxiety, depression and phobias.
- Knowledge and skills in CBT interventions including key techniques of:
- Psycho education
- Problem formulation
- Treatment plans
- Self monitoring and journaling
- Identifying automatic thoughts
- Identifying cognitive distortions
- Cognitive restructuring
- Behavioural experimentation
- Exposure hierarchies
- An introduction to mindfulness based interventions
- An introduction to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Theory and skills training in relaxation techniques including progressive muscle relaxation, controlled breathing, guided imagery and mindfulness techniques
Competencies
On successful completion of the Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) unit, students will have the theory, knowledge and skills practice to:
- Demonstrate a collaborative approach to engaging and educating clients in the CBT model.
- Conduct a cognitive behavioural assessment
- Develop a cognitive behavioural intervention plan that incorporates the key elements of CBT.
- Evaluate the impact of interventions
- Develop and implement a treatment plan to address relapse prevention
PSYS831 ADVANCED COUNSELLING & PLACEMENT
WORKSHOPS |
1. Families/Interventions |
ASSESSMENTS |
1. Skills tape (50%) |
PLACEMENT |
Minimum 35 hours |
This unit provides theory and skills training in many different approaches for working with children and families that are experiencing difficulties. Particular emphasis is given to multidisciplinary approaches to family problems and working with issues such as mental health problems and AOD misuse that can impact on family functioning and child well being. This unit provides an exploration of creative therapeutic approaches for working with children.
Outcomes
On successful completion of the Advanced Counselling & Placement unit, students will have:
- Theory and understanding of family therapy
- Developed skills for creative therapeutic approaches for working with children who have been abused
- Skills in developing collaborative goals with children and families
- Skills in assessment and identification of child and family problems
- Understanding of the impact of mental health issues and AOD issues on families
- Skills for working with working with families to address mental health and AOD issues.
- Theory and knowledge of health promotion and application for drug related issues
- Further developed narrative skills for working with clients presenting with AOD issues
- Knowledge of creative therapeutic approaches for developing narratives of preferred identity
- Developed skills for assessing parenting and child well being
Competencies
On successful completion of the Advanced Counselling & Placement unit, students will have the theory, knowledge and skills practice to:
- Counsel children and their parents/caregivers employing a range of developmentally and culturally appropriate methods
- Develop case plans with other service providers for families with complex and multiple needs.
- Provide counselling services to parents to address the impact of drug use and mental health issues on parenting capacity
- Provide counselling services to clients with AOD issues, employing a range of methods.
- Work in a variety of therapeutic settings, having foundational knowledge of the theory underpinning various approaches and the merits of these interventions
- Provide assessment and counselling services that address multiple client issues such as mental health, family functioning, child protection, legal issues, health, and identity.
- Develop community programs to address drug issues such as early intervention programs, drug awareness, health promotion and harm minimisation.
Students must have either a job in their area of study or find a voluntary placement for a minimum of 5 days as part of the unit requirements for PSYS831 Advanced Counselling & Placement. One of the assignments for this unit is a placement/work place report on work experiences.
SPECIALIST STRANDS
CHILD AND FAMILY STRAND
The Child and Family strand aims to provide frontline workers with a solid grounding in current theory and research regarding working with children and child abuse and neglect. Students will develop competence in best practice, counselling and intervention skills for working with children. Intervention skills include strengths based practice, developmentally appropriate counselling techniques, CBT, narrative, play and creative therapies and group work.
PSYS823 WORKING WITH CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
WORKSHOPS |
1. Working with children |
ASSESSMENTS |
1. Case study (50%) |
WEB BASED TRAINING |
Child development |
The focus of this unit is on the emotional, cognitive and behavioural development of children. Theory and skills training is provided on assessing and working with children and their family. This unit provides students with different therapeutic approaches to family problems, including strengths based approaches. Topics include:
- Developmental psychology
- Play therapy
- Engaging with children and families
- Developmental problems & interventions
- Socio-cultural, ethical, legal and family contexts
- Strengths based approaches for working with children and families
Outcomes
On successful completion of the Working with Children unit, students will have:
- A solid understanding of child development
- Theory and skills for using play as a therapeutic intervention
- Knowledge and theory of developmental disability
- Knowledge and skills for working with children with developmental disability
- Theoretical background and skills for working with families where a child has been abused
- Knowledge and skills for strengths based interventions with children and families
Competencies
On successful completion of the Working with Children unit, students will have the theory, knowledge and skills practice to:
- Employ a variety of approaches for engaging with families and children
- Assess the global functioning of families and identify areas that may be impacting on family functioning and parenting capacity.
- Counsel children and their parents/caregivers employing a range of developmentally and culturally appropriate methods
PSYS813 CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT (CAN)
WORKSHOPS |
1. CAN perspectives |
ASSESSMENTS |
1. Skills assessment (50%) |
This unit examines the social, economic and psychological factors associated with the child abuse and neglect. Topics include:
- Child abuse and neglect perspectives
- Legal issues
- Frontline workers experience
- Interventions with families to address CAN issues
- Early intervention strategies
Outcomes
On successful completion of the Child Abuse and Neglect Unit, students will have:
- Theoretical background of child abuse and neglect.
- Knowledge and understanding of the impact of child abuse and neglect on child development and wellbeing
- Knowledge and understanding of child protection legislation in Australia and their responsibilities in relation to the NSW Children and Young Persons Act 1998.
- Theory and skills for the assessment of the impact of CAN
- Knowledge and understanding of the importance of interagency collaboration for children at risk of harm.
- Developed strategies for working with families who are reluctant to engage with service providers
- Skills in developing collaborative goals with children and families
- Skills in assessment and identification of child and family problems
Competencies
On successful completion of the Child Abuse and Neglect unit, students will have the theory, knowledge and skills practice to:
- Identify the different forms of child abuse.
- Demonstrate a collaborative approach to engaging with clients
- Develop interventions for working with families to address risk of harm issues
- Develop case plans with other service providers for families with complex and multiple needs.
- Provide counselling services to children and families to address the impact of CAN
ALCOHOL & OTHER DRUGS (AOD) STRAND
The Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) strand aims to provide frontline workers with a solid grounding in current theory and research regarding drug and alcohol abuse and to develop competence in best practice counselling and intervention skills for adults clients, particularly drug and alcohol clients. Intervention skills include motivational interviewing, basic counselling, CBT, narrative, exemplary community programs and group work.
PSYS824 DRUGS & SOCIAL HEALTH I
WORKSHOPS |
1. History/Frontline worker |
ASSESSMENTS |
1. Community Plan (50%) |
This unit will provide training in the pharmacological, social, political, economic and historical contexts of drug use and abuse. Drugs covered in the training include ecstasy (MDMA) and related drugs, ice, cocaine, GHB and ketamine. Topics will include history and description of the various drugs, their effects and patterns of use in Australia. Current treatment trends will be explored through training by experienced AOD workers from residential, community and diversion programs.
Topics include:
- History & Context/ Front line workers
- Pharmacology
- Assessment
- Current trends
Outcomes
On successful completion of the Drugs and Social Health I Unit, students will have:
- Knowledge and understanding of legal issues related to working in the AOD field.
- Knowledge of the pharmacological interventions
- Knowledge and understanding of the physiological and psychological effects of different drugs
- Knowledge and skills for assessment of clients with AOD issues
Competencies
On successful completion of the Drugs & Social Health I unit, students will have the theory, knowledge and skills practice to:
- Provide counselling services to clients with drug use/abuse issues
- Assess the impact of drug use on client functioning
- Plan and implement collaborative intervention strategies with clients
- Develop case plans with clients and other service providers to meet the needs of clients with complex and multiple needs.
PSYS825 DRUGS & SOCIAL HEALTH II
WORKSHOPS |
1. Harm reduction/ HIV |
ASSESSMENTS |
1. Skills tape (50%) |
This unit further develops theory and practice skills for working AOD issues by providing skills training in a variety of intervention strategies with an emphasis on appropriate harm reduction strategies and information. An introduction to dual diagnosis and integrated treatment approaches that address both mental illness and substance abuse is provided in this unit.
Topics include:
- Harm minimization
- Relapse prevention
- Dual Diagnoses
- HIV
- Residential Programs
Outcomes
On successful completion of the Drugs and Social Health II Unit, students will have:
- Theoretical background to harm minimisation strategies
- Knowledge of HIV issues and risks associated with drug use/abuse
- Knowledge of a variety of AOD intervention strategies including diversionary programs, residential programs, support groups and individual interventions.
- Knowledge and theory of dual diagnosis
- Case planning and case management skills
- Developed counselling skills to address specific drug related issues
Competencies
On successful completion of the Drugs & Social Health II unit, students will have the theory, knowledge and skills practice to:
- Counsel clients presenting with drug related issues, employing methods from a variety of theoretical approaches including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), narrative therapy, motivational interviewing.
- Assess relapse risk and develop collaborative prevention plans to address these risks.
- Assess suitability for a variety of intervention programs and refer as required.
- Develop and manage case plans to address client needs and work collaboratively with other agencies to ensure these needs are being met.
- Develop intervention plans with clients to address the health and lifestyle issues that may be associated with drug use.
NARRATIVE STRAND
This strand is available for experienced practitioners who wish to develop their narrative skills or for new counsellors who work in a specialised narrative context. Please ask the course administrator for a copy of the Social Health Handbook for information.
MASTER OF SOCIAL HEALTH UNITS
PSYS803 WORKING WITH GROUPS & PLACEMENT
This unit provides theory of group processes
Workshops |
1. Groups 1 : Group Process : GRAN |
Placement |
Concurrent placement experience required |
Compulsory Workshop Task |
Workshop 2 – GOSSIP |
Assignments |
1. Group Leadership |
This unit provides theory of group processes and skills training in group leadership. This is an experiential training group in which students analyse the group processes of both an external group they lead or attend and of the class group in which are participating.
Outcomes
On successful completion of the Groups unit, students will have:
- Theory and skills training in planning and leading group programs
- Understanding of group process and its effect on therapeutic goals
- Skills for the evaluation of group programs
- Theory and knowledge of group process
- Theory and practice of group leadership and experiential group training
Competencies
On successful completion of the Groups unit, students will have the theory, knowledge and skills practice to:
- Plan a group to meet specific therapeutic goals
- Conduct group programs, and manage group process in ways that address goals and optimises group productivity
- Evaluate group programs
- Manage critical incidents in groups
Students must have either a job in their area of study or find a voluntary placement for a minimum of 5 days as part of the unit requirements for PSYS803 Working with Groups & Placement. One of the assignments for this unit is a placement/work place report on work experiences.
PSYS832 INVITATIONS TO RESPONSIBILITY
Workshops |
1. Intro to Invitations to Responsibility / Drugs* |
Compulsory Workshop Tasks |
Workshop 1 - Invitations |
Assignments |
1. Essay |
Skills training in inviting individuals to take responsibility for their actions based on the approach introduced by Alan Jenkins.
Topics include:
- Invitations to responsibility
- Working with youth
- Child abuse/Sexual abuse
- Front line workers experience
Outcomes
On successful completion of the Invitations to Responsibility unit, students will have:
- Theory and knowledge of the "invitations" approach and its application across a broad range of areas including working with abusive behaviour, working with youth, and drug related issues.
- Developed skills and knowledge for working with clients who have abused others
- Developed strategies for inviting young people to adopt a responsible life style.
- Further development of skills for working with clients with AOD issues.
- Developed strategies for engaging with involuntary clients.
Competencies
On successful completion of the Invitations to Responsibility unit, students will have the theory, knowledge and skills practice to:
- Employ the Invitations approach in therapeutic interventions.
- Engage involuntary clients in interventions
PSYS830 TRAUMA: LEGACIES AND INTERVENTIONS
WORKSHOPS |
1. Concepts |
ASSESSMENTS |
1. Live Skills assessment |
This unit provides theory and skills training in many different approaches for therapeutic interventions in the areas of trauma, grief and loss, refugee experience and critical incidents wit theory and interventions on the legacies of childhood trauma (physical, sexual and emotional abuse and neglect) and adult trauma (dispossession, disaster, violence, torture, refugees.
Topics include:
- Impact of Trauma (PTSD)
- Legacies of trauma (complex PTSD)
- Recovered memories, dissociation, DV
- Interventions (CBT, Self-trauma, Narrative, EMDR)
- Responding to critical incidents
- Refugees
Outcomes
On successful completion of Trauma Legacies and Interventions, students will have:
- Knowledge and understanding of the short and long term impact of trauma
- Understanding of the etiology and symptoms of PTSD and other dissociative disorders.
- Knowledge and practice in interventions for clients who have experienced trauma
- Skills training in relaxation strategies for the management of trauma symptoms
- Understanding of the application of the CISD model to trauma incidents
- Critical theoretical knowledge concerning current thinking and research concerning the efficacy and appropriateness of CISD to various trauma situations
- Understanding of the principles of CISM interventions
- Knowledge of psychological first aid
- Skills and knowledge for the development and implementation of CISD intervention taking into account differences in target groups, the nature of the traumatic event, occupational settings
- Understanding of trauma issues related to refugee populations
Competencies
On successful completion of the Trauma Legacies and Interventions unit, students will have the theory, knowledge and skills practice to:
- Demonstrate the application of general counselling skills in working with clients experiencing specific issues relating to trauma.
- Develop and implement a CISD intervention taking into account differences in target groups, the nature of the traumatic event, occupational settings
PSYS829 NARRATIVE AND COMMUNITY INTERVENTIONS
WORKSHOPS |
1. Blanket group/ Men |
ASSESSMENTS |
1. Blanket group- Reflective journal and group process |
Exploration of theory and practice of creative and narrative approaches for working with individuals, groups and in community settings. The focus of this unit is on creative approaches to therapeutic interventions and a significant component is the students’ engagement and experience of the different approaches presented in these workshops.
Outcomes
On successful completion of the Narrative and Community Interventions unit, students will have:
- Understanding and skills practice in a variety of creative and narrative approaches for therapeutic work including.
- Blanket group- exploration of identity, meaning and belonging through the use of symbols, metaphors, sensory connection and images.
- Creative ways of working with adolescents and men.
- Strengths cards
- Narrative art
- Music as a therapeutic intervention
Competencies
On successful completion of the Narrative and Community Interventions unit, students will have the theory, knowledge and skills practice to:
- Facilitate group interventions employing a range of creative therapeutic strategies.
- Extend therapeutic interventions beyond traditional counselling practices.
- Adopt a range of creative strategies to address therapeutic goals.
PSYS837 RESEARCH PROJECT I (8 credit points)
PSYS838 RESEARCH PROJECT II (8 credit points)
PSYS837 and PSYS838 are each one semester units in 1st and 2nd semester respectively. Students are required to demonstrate the ability to design, conduct and report on a piece of research that is relevant to the area of social health. The project can employ qualitative, program evaluation, survey, case study or experimental methodology. Appropriate archival data can be used.
PSYS837 involves research methodology, planning the research project, gaining ethics approval and collecting the data. Students are organised into small groups of 2 to 4 and meet regularly with a supervisor who addresses the topics listed below and guides individual students in their research planning.
- Theories & concepts.
- Questionnaires
- Qualitative research
- Ethics
- Interviewing
- Web search
- Research proposal and ethics
- Program evaluation
PSYS838 involves analysis of the data and write-up of the project report ready for examination. Students meet regularly for individual supervision with the supervisor who conducted small group supervision in 1st semester.