GEN PRAC 7004 - Interpersonal Therapy

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2014

This course introduces students to interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT), an evidence-based treatment suitable for use with a variety of mental health disorders and issues. Students will learn about the background and theoretical basis of IPT, will better understand experiences of consumer and carer experiences of mental health, and gain skills in determining client suitability for IPT treatment. They will also develop knowledge, skills, and confidence in the use of the techniques and processes of IPT in the counselling setting, and will experience the role of supervision in enhancing IPT practice in real-life settings.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code GEN PRAC 7004
    Course Interpersonal Therapy
    Coordinating Unit General Practice
    Term Semester 1
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact 3 x 8 hour workshops over 3 days
    Restrictions Available to M. Counselling & Psychotherapy students only
    Course Description This course introduces students to interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT), an evidence-based treatment suitable for use with a variety of mental health disorders and issues. Students will learn about the background and theoretical basis of IPT, will better understand experiences of consumer and carer experiences of mental health, and gain skills in determining client suitability for IPT treatment. They will also develop knowledge, skills, and confidence in the use of the techniques and processes of IPT in the counselling setting, and will experience the role of supervision in enhancing IPT practice in real-life settings.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Jaklin Eliott

    Learning and Teaching Team
    Phone: +61 8313 2128
    Email: postgrad_enq@adelaide.edu.au
    Location: Level 7, 178 North Terrace
    Course Timetable

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

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1 Summarise relevant theory in relation to interpersonal therapy (IPT)
    2 Identify mental health disorders and issues that may be appropriately treated with IPT
    3 Critically appraise research regarding the clinical application of IPT
    4 Evaluate the evidence regarding the indications and contra-indications of IPT in practice
    5 Plan and present psych education for clients regarding the nature of IPT
    6 Integrate and justify the use of IPT in counselling for commonly preseting mental health disorders and issues
    7 Present a range of IPT resources
    8 Modify the use of IPT appropriately for different age groups (eg adolescent, the elderly)
    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)
    Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. 1-8
    The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 1-4, 7
    An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 5-8
    Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 4-6, 8
    A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. 4, 5, 7, 8
    A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 1-8
    An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities. 1-8
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources

    Weissman, M.M., Markowitz, J.C., & Klerman, G.L. (2007). Clinician’s quick guide to interpersonal psychotherapy. Oxford University Press.
    Students will also be provided with a printed manual containing information, psycho education and treatment resources and templates, and a list of further useful treatment resources.

    Online Learning

    MyUni
    All students enrolled in a postgraduate coursework program have access to a Postgraduate Coursework Student Centre on MyUni. This course is available on MyUni at www.adelaide.edu.au/myuni/ .
    Please check the website regularly as it may contain announcements that are relevant to your study in the course. If you would like the opportunity to network with other students, you can use the Communication features in the site:
    Discussion Board – Users can post discussion items and reply to other posts. Note: If you would like to have a specific Discussion Board Forum created, please send your request to the Course Coordinator.
    Send Email – This feature enables users to send email to fellow students.
    Group Pages – Groups enable Users to collaborate with each other. Groups usually consist of a smaller group of Users in a course or organisation, such as study groups or project groups. From a Group Page, users may send email, exchange files, enter discussion forums or enter collaboration sessions.
    Note: Only members of a particular Group can access the Group communication features (discussion forums, email, etc.). If you would like to have a specific Group Page created, please send your request to the Course Coordinator. For example, Group Pages can be created to include students living in the same geographical area or students working for the same organisation.
    Please note that you also have access to individual MyUni sites for EACH course you are enrolled in. Please check the sites regularly as they may contain important announcements that are relevant to your study in the course.

    Access Adelaide
    Access Adelaide is the name of the online service that allows you to access and, in some cases, amend your records. It can be found at: https://access.adelaide.edu.au/sa/login.asp .
    You can log into Access Adelaide to view:
    your enrolment details for any term
    your academic results
    your unofficial academic transcript
    your personal details
    the fees, charges and payments on your University account
    your exam schedule
    your graduation eligibility details.
    As a student you can:
    change your address and telephone details (please inform the Discipline as well) change your password
    set a password clue to help you remember your password.

    Student email
    It is important that you set up your student email and check it regularly. Information from your course coordinator and student administration will be sent to you at your University of Adelaide email address. It is your responsibility to check your email. You will need your student number located on your student card to log in. http://webmail.adelaide.edu.au/

    Computers
    Where can I use a computer in the University?
    Computing facilities are provided to students by the University, and there are several suites of computers available, including at the Barr Smith Library and in Hub Central. The University web site has a list of computer labs at:
    http://www.adelaide.edu.au/its/student_support/labs/

    Internet access
    The University provides a free dial-up service to students without the need for a commercial ISP account. This service is available at the cost of a local call to students residing within Adelaide (please refer to your telecommunications provider for confirmation of call costs). Students residing outside these numbers can dial into the University at STD call rates (www.adelaide.edu.au/its/desktop/dialup/ ).
    Postgraduate Coursework students will receive a University Funded Quota of 500Mb.

  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes

    This course will comprise 12 weekly (2 hourly) sessions, within which students will learn theoretical knowledge related to and practical skills in the use of IPT. This course will utilise didactic learning (via a PowerPoint presentation), small-group and large-group discussion, questions and answers components, and role playing of new skills.

    This background and skills-based learning will be supported and reinforced by the later sessions of this course, which will be used to reinforce skills through discussion and practice of IPT treatment using role playing of real-life (de identified) cases provided by both the lecturers and students.

    Workload

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

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

    Students should spend a total of 12 hours per week (156 hours total) on course-work. This includes attending the course workshops (12 x 2 hour lecture/tutorial), working on the course assignments, and preparing for lectures and tutorials (e.g. weekly reading and other study).
    Learning Activities Summary

    No information currently available.

  • 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
    To pass this course, students must aim to attend all sessions within the course, as well as submit and achieve a minimum of a Pass (50%) for each component of assessment.


    Assessment Task Assessment Type Weighting Learning Outcome(s) being addressed
    Participation  Summative 10% 1-8
    Essay Summative 50% 1-8
    Essay Summative 40% 2, 5-8
    Assessment Related Requirements
    See 5.1. If special circumstances arise which prevent the student attending any sessions during the course, the student should discuss these with the Course Coordinator. If the student nominates illness as the reason for missing these sessions, a medical certificate will be required. If students are unable to attend a minimum of six sessions, they may be able to Withdraw Not Fail and to re-enrol the following year, but will be required to pay full fees.

    Lecturers will aim to mark and return assignments to students within 4 weeks of the due date, or before the due date for the next assignment (whichever comes earlier).
    Assessment Detail

    Participation (10%): will be assessed by each student’s contribution to the group during each session.
    Essay (50%): will comprise a 3000 word essay exploring the application of IPT to a different mental health issue or population group, including the research base, strengths and limitations of this approach in this field. It will be due Friday 5th August.
    Reflective writing exercise or case write-up (40%): students will choose whether they wish to write either a reflection on their own reactions to the IPT workshop and concepts of IPT, or a case study reflecting on their own experience of using IPT with a client (as a student counsellor on placement). Both options will be 2500 words in total. It will be due Friday 14th November

    Submission

    Submission of Assignments
    Assignments should be submitted through the “Assignments” section of MyUni. Instructions on how to submit an assignment in this way can be found at: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/myuni/tutorials/
    Assignments must be submitted by 11.59 pm on the day that they are due. (note that MyUni will accept your assignment after this time but it will be marked Late.
    Feedback on assignments will be provided to students within 4 weeks of completion of the task so that students can take advantage of this feedback.

    Extension of Time for Assessment Items
    Up to one week
    It is expected that all assessments will be submitted by the specified time on the specified due date.
    However, students may apply for an extension of time to submit an assessment, if they are experiencing difficulty. Applications for extension must be made to the Course Coordinator and copied into the Program Administrator jacqui.howard@adelaide.edu.au, in writing (e.g. email) prior to the due date lodgement of the assignment. Anticipate that it may take a few days to receive a reply. The grounds for granting an extension include health problems, compassionate reasons and other extenuating circumstances. Extensions will usually only be granted for a maximum of one week, but can be longer at the discretion of the Chairperson of the Academic Progress Committee if substantiated with evidence such as a medical certificate. Only original documents or certified copies of originals will be accepted.
    You will be notified by email to your University of Adelaide student email account of the outcome of your application. If your extension is granted then it is your responsibility to keep in contact with the course coordinator and to hand in the assessment with a copy of the email (or other document) approving the extension. Failure to submit an assessment item on time without an approved extension will incur a penalty as detailed under ‘Late Submission of Work’.

    Longer than one week
    If you require an extension for longer than one week, please contact the Course Co-ordinator to discuss your request. Please submit any applications to the Course Coordinator copied into the Program Administrator jacqui.howard@adelaide.edu.au. If you require an extension for longer than a week due to illness, a medical certificate will be required.
    Failure to submit an assessment item on time without an approved extension will incur a penalty as detailed under ‘Late Submission of Work’.

    Late Submission of Work
    All assignments should be submitted by 11.59pm on the due date.
    Late submission without an approved extension will be penalised at the rate of 10% of available marks for each day after the due date. Work submitted more than ten days after the due date may be returned unmarked. This action will be taken to prevent students who do get their work in on time being disadvantaged.

    Word Limit
    You are advised to comply with word limits. You are, of course, not expected to achieve exactly the required length and a 10% leeway on either side is acceptable. However, a penalty of 5% of available marks will apply for word limit in excess of the 10% leeway.

    Presentation
    It is essential that you reference all written work accurately and consistently. We ask that use the American Psychological Society Referencing Format (APA 6) and information regarding this system can be found at http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/ .

    A Guide to APA 6th Edition, developed by Monash University will also be provided in MyUni.

    EndNote bibliographic software is a very useful tool for managing your references and it is provided free of charge through the university. Information about EndNote can be found at:
    http://www.adelaide.edu.au/library/guide/gen/bibsoft/

    Be aware that marks will be deducted for incorrect referencing in all assignments.

    Requesting a Re-Mark
    Any student who, after discussion of the result with the lecturer in charge, is still dissatisfied with the final grade awarded for a course, or with the mark awarded for a particular piece of assessment work, and who has specific grounds for objecting to the grade/mark, may lodge a written request for a review of the result or an independent second assessment with the Head of Discipline within 10 University business days from the date of notification of the result. Such a written request must contain details of the grounds on which the objection is based.

    Requests must include a summary of the reasons the student believes his or her assessment work deserves a higher mark. These reasons must be directly related to the academic quality of the work. Re-marks, for example, will not be granted where the grounds are that the student has paid tuition fees or incurred liability under HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP, or needs one or two additional marks to get a higher overall grade for the course. The Head of Discipline may seek the advice of the Academic Progress Committee, and will make a determination on review or second assessment and inform the student of his or her decision in writing.

    The mark awarded to a piece of work following review or second assessment as provided for in this policy or as a consequence of appeal to the Student Appeals Committee will usually stand as the final mark for the work, regardless of whether this mark is higher or lower than the mark originally awarded.

    Course Grading

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

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    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.

    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.