PSYCHOL 7231 - Interviewing & Intervention

North Terrace Campus - Summer - 2022

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 Summer
    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)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    1, 2, 3, 4, 5

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    1, 4, 5

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    1, 2

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    1, 2, 5

    Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency

    Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.

    1

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    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 seminars and small group 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


    Day and 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)


    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

    Suicide risk assessment scenario              Summative                                      30%                           3,4

    Initial interview video role play
    assessment and review                            Summative                                      70%                           1,2,5
    Assessment Related Requirements
    Attendance at all seminars is mandatory to ensure students attain and can demonstrate the relevant required competencies. Should students fail to meet mandatory attendance requirements by being absent this may lead to a fail grade for the course. Exemptions to mandatory attendance requirements may be granted for up to 2 seminars by the Course Coordinator if there are exceptional medical, compassionate, or extenuating circumstances as defined by the Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy. Students will be required to complete redemption exercises to the satisfaction of the Course Coordinator for any seminars missed.
    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 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 online, along with the self-reflection, to the Course Coordinator.

    These assessment tasks may be resubmitted if unsatisfactory.
    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
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