Available in 2024
Course code

PSYC2200

Units

10 units

Level

2000 level

Course handbook

Description

'Intervention' to change human behaviour underpins much of the professional application of psychology. However, the specific approaches and techniques that psychologists use to support their clients have been evolving for over a century. This course will provide a brief history of modern psychotherapy, from Freudian psychoanalysis, to Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, and more recent advances including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Motivational Interviewing. The course also covers the important role of case reports for informing clinical practice, and how therapy can be tailored for different delivery modes (e.g., individual vs family) and subgroups (e.g., young people vs older adults). Each week, students will learn the key background and theory behind a particular therapy style through short, pre-recorded ‘mini-lectures’. Then, practicing psychologists will bring these concepts to life in live lectures focusing on case studies and applied examples from their work. In the labs, the students will apply their new knowledge in hands-on activities, including opportunities to practice different counselling skills with their peers.


Availability2024 Course Timetables

Callaghan

  • Semester 2 - 2024

Ourimbah

  • Semester 2 - 2024

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the course students will be able to:

1. Articulate the role of a therapist.

2. Explain the effect of personal characteristics on a person's ability to be an effective therapist.

3. Identify some common counselling approaches.

4. Distinguish between a variety of methods for designing and delivering intervention strategies.

5. Identify the relevant information from an intake interview needed to produce a case report.

6. Formulate a preliminary diagnosis and intervention strategy from a case study.


Content

  • Modern psychotherapy origins
  • Different approaches for managing unhelpful thoughts
  • Treating the client as the expert
  • Tailoring psychotherapy for specific population subgroups

Requisite

This course is only available to students enrolled in the

Bachelor of Psychological Science [40099],

Bachelor of Psychological Science (Advanced) [40211],

Bachelor of Criminology/Bachelor of Psychological Science [40271],

Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) [12362],

Bachelor of Psychological Science/Bachelor of Social Science [40291],

Bachelor of Psychological Science [11698]

Bachelor of Psychological Science/ Bachelor of Business [40288],

Bachelor of Psychological Science/Bachelor of Communication [40289],

Bachelor of Psychological Science/Bachelor of Laws (Honours) [40290], or

Bachelor of Psychological Science/Bachelor of Media and Communication [50007].


Assumed knowledge

PSYC1010, PSYC1020,PSYC1200


Assessment items

Written Assignment: Written Assessment 1

Written Assignment: Written Assessment 2

Quiz: Online Quizzes


Contact hours

Semester 2 - 2024 - Callaghan

Laboratory-1
  • Face to Face On Campus 2 hour(s) per week(s) for 9 week(s)
Lecture-1
  • Face to Face On Campus 2 hour(s) per week(s) for 12 week(s)

Semester 2 - 2024 - Ourimbah

Laboratory-1
  • Face to Face On Campus 2 hour(s) per week(s) for 9 week(s)
Lecture-1
  • Face to Face On Campus 2 hour(s) per week(s) for 12 week(s)

Course outline