Handbook : Unit informationEdith Cowan University

Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science

School: Psychology and Social Science

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

• Unit Title

  Individual Psychotherapy Practice 1

• Unit Code

  COU6305

• Year

  2015

• Enrolment Period

  1

• Version

  1

• Credit Points

  15

• Full Year Unit

  N

• Mode of Delivery

  On Campus
  

---

Description

This is a clinical skills unit concerning the practice of invidual counselling/psychotherapy. It aims to develop within the student roles relating to the assessment of the presenting situation, choice of appropriate interventions, and evaluation of the outcome of the session.

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded COU5321

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate a first working competency in psychodiagnostics.
2. Demonstrate the capacity for active and psychoanalytic forms of listening.
3. Devise possible interventions and link these to observations about the client and the process of the counselling session.
4. Evaluate session outcomes both independently and in consultation with the client.
5. Generate a psychodynamic case formulation including an assessment of the client's suitability for counselling/psychotherapy.
6. Show an awareness of the limitations of the counselling context and those situations best managed through referral to another professional.

Unit Content

1. Active listening vs. psychoanalytic forms of listening in practice.
2. Conceptualising: using existing theoretical models to make meaning of clinical observations, sharing these conceptionalisations with the client in a manner befitting the client and context.
3. Empathy and evenly suspended attention.
4. Facilitating the client's understanding of his/her difficulties. Generating productive, well-timed interpretations appropriate to the client.
5. The assessment/formulation process: observation, description and conceptualisation leading to a sound picture of client functioning and resources.
6. Treatment appraisal: outcome evaluation, follow-up strategies.

Additional Learning Experience Information

This unit will centre around a reflecting team model of counselling supervision. Students will work in teams to assess, conceptualise, intervene and evaluate outcomes, working with videoed client material, role-play using a one-way screen. The teaching emphasis will be on supervision rather than didactic content.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

Text References

• ^ Akhtar, S. (2012). Psychoanalytic listening: Methods, limits, and innovations. London: Karnac Books.
• ^ Casement, P. (1990). On learning from the patient. London: Routledge.
• ^ Perez-Sanchez, A. (2012). Interview and indicators in psychoanalysis and psychotherapy. London: Karnac Books.
• Akhtar, S. (2009). Turning points in dynamic psychotherapy: Initial assessment, boundaries, money, disruptions and suicidal crises. Karnac Books.
• Frederickson, J. (2012). Psychodynamic psychotherapy: Learning to listen from multiple perspectives. Brunner Mazel.

^ Mandatory reference

---