PSYCHOL 7231 - Interviewing & Intervention

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2021

This course aims to develop students' skills in interviewing and counselling clients and conducting cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), through observing, discussing and practising techniques in class, using a model of evidence-based practice. On completion of this unit students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills in interviewing, counselling and CBT.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code PSYCHOL 7231
    Course Interviewing & Intervention
    Coordinating Unit Psychology
    Term Semester 1
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 15 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Restrictions Available to M Psych (Health) and PhD/MPsych(Health) students only, or by permission of Head of School
    Course Description This course aims to develop students' skills in interviewing and counselling clients and conducting cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), through observing, discussing and practising techniques in class, using a model of evidence-based practice. On completion of this unit students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills in interviewing, counselling and CBT.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Diana Dorstyn

    Additional Academic Staff
    Name Email
    Dr. Diana Dorstyn diana.dorstyn@adelaide.edu.au

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    At the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
    1 Demonstrate competence in interviewing and counselling skills.
    2 Demonstrate competence in conducting an initial interview with children and adults.
    3 Demonstrate knowledge of the essential components of a mental status examination.
    4 Demonstrate knowledge of and key skills in conducting risk assessments and motivational interviewing.
    5 Demonstrate knowledge of conducting a Cognitive Behaviour Therapy intervention.
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    1, 2, 3, 4, 5
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    1, 4, 5
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    1, 2
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    1, 2, 5
    Intercultural and ethical competency
    • adept at operating in other cultures
    • comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
    • able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
    • demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
    1
    Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
    • a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
    • open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
    • able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
    1, 5
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Sommers-Flanagan, J. & Sommers-Flanagan, R. (2017). Clinical Interviewing, 6th Ed. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.: Hoboken, NJ, USA.

    Wright, J.H., Basco, M.R., & Thase, M.E. (2017). Learning Cognitive-Behavior Therapy: An illustrated guide, 2nd ed. American Psychiatric Publishing, Inc.: Arlington, VA, USA.
    Recommended Resources
    The Library is a major resource centre for students. Their website contains a list of databases, links to tutorials and help with searching methods.


    Online Learning
    This course may use MyUni for one or more of the following:
    - Communication with students via Announcements and Discussion Board
    - Submission of assessment
    - Access to lecture material and resources such as additional readings
    - Self-directed learning activities

    Link to MyUni;https://myuni.adelaide.edu.au/Further information regarding this course is available in the relevant Master of Psychology program handbook at the following link:
    http://health.adelaide.edu.au/psychology/students/resource/handbooksforms.html
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    Face-to-face interactive seimnars and skills practice
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    Seminars: 36 hours
    Self-directed learning: 36 hours
    Independent reading: 70 hours
    Assignment (includes preparation time): 12 hours

    Learning Activities Summary
    This is a summer intensive course run over 10- 12 days

    Day Topic
    Day 1 Introduction to Counselling
    Day 2 Introduction to Counselling
    Day 3 Introduction to Counselling
    Day 4 Mental status examination
    Day 5  Suicide assessment
    Day 6 Motivational interviewing
    Day 7 The initial interview and history taking
    Day 8 Interviewing children
    Day 9 Introduction to cognitive behavioural therapy (2 x seminar)
    Day 10 Introduction to cognitive behavioural therapy (2 x seminar)
    Disclaimer: This program is provisional and subject to change
    Specific Course Requirements

    On the initial enrolment into one of the Master’s program, all students (unless already a Registered Psychologist) MUST apply for and obtain provisional registration with the Psychology Board of Australia. All students are required to provide a copy of their registration details to the Program Administrator on their first day in the Program: this will be required for the Summer School courses Interviewing & Intervention and Evidence-Based Practice. The application form and details of fees payable are available from the PBA website: http://www.psychologyboard.gov.au/Forms.aspx. Students will not be able to pass Interviewing and Intervention until they have submitted evidence of provisional registration and completion of online university OH&S training.

    Candidates are required to consent to a police check as part of their application to the Psychology Board of Australia for Provisional Registration, a requirement of enrolment in the program. A satisfactory current police check is a mandatory requirement for acceptance to and continuation within the program.

  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task Assessment Type Weighting Learning outcome(s) being addressed
    Self-directed learning: suicide risk assessment Summative 30% 3,4
    Initial interview video role play assessment and review Summative 70% 1,2,5
    Assessment Detail
    The course is examined by a 20-minute role played initial interview. A video recording of the interview is reviewed and assessed by the student and by the course coordinator

    A self-directed suicide risk assessment of a clinical scenario will be undertaken in class, as a group exercise.
    Submission
    The video interview is submitted as a hard copy, along with the self-assessment, to the course coordinator.

    These assessment tasks may be resubmitted if unsatisfactory.

    The School of Psychology undertakes to adhere to the University’s Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy, Procedure 6a, which requires that assessments are returned within 4 weeks of the deadlines for submission.

    Extension of time for an assignment may be granted at the discretion of the Course Coordinator, to whom students should apply in writing (or email) before the due date and time.

    No requests for extensions will be considered if made after the due date and time.

    For further information re the Assessment Policy please refer to the relevant Master of Psychology Program Handbook at the following link:
    http://health.adelaide.edu.au/psychology/students/resource/handbooksforms.html
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    GS8 (Coursework Grade Scheme)
    Grade Description
    CN Continuing
    FNS Fail No Submission
    NFE No Formal Examination
    F Fail
    NGP Non Graded Pass
    P Pass
    C Credit
    D Distinction
    HD High Distinction
    RP Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Assignments are graded by NGP.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.