School: Arts and Humanities

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

    Psychodynamic Theories of Couples and Family Therapy
  • Unit Code

    COU6403
  • Year

    2024
  • Enrolment Period

    1
  • Version

    5
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
  • Unit Coordinator

    Ms Karen DARE

Description

This unit provides a critical analysis of psychodynamically oriented theoretical approaches to couples and family therapy. In addition to the principles of these approaches, focus is on the rationale for using particular interventive strategies with a number of problems commonly presenting in couple or family therapy. Students are provided with an opportunity to study aspects of their own family of origin and the ways in which this may impact on their counselling practice with couples and families. This unit has a compulsory attendance requirement. In keeping with the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) stipulations, students need to have practices necessary skills/ competencies in the classroom to a satisfactory level before going out into the field. A minimum 80% of class attendance is therefore required.

Non Standard Timetable Requirements

This unit runs via 5 full day Saturday workshops.

Prerequisite Rule

Students must pass 2 units from COU5303, COU6121.

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded COU6402

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Synthesise key principles and processes identified with psychoanalytically informed, cross-generational, and emotionally focussed approaches to couple and family therapy practice.
  2. Critically analyse and apply theory to the assessment, formulation and conceptualisation of psychotherapy structure and process with couples and families within an ethical and culturally humble framework.
  3. Plan intervention responses which demonstrate a critical understanding of the dynamics of couple/family relationships in cases presenting frequently encountered difficulties including domestic violence, childhood sexual abuse, and blended family adjustment difficulties indicating how understanding of relationship dynamics influences intervention plans.
  4. Formulate understanding of their own family of origin and the ways in which this may impact their practice as a couple and family counsellor.

Unit Content

  1. The application of psychoanalytic theory (object relations and self psychology), cross-generational, attachment informed and emotionally focused theory to understanding couple and family relationships.
  2. Consideration of structure and process in the initial assessment interview(s) with a couple or family.
  3. The process of couple and family therapy and phases of work: application of psychodynamic, cross-generational, and emotionally focused theory.
  4. Structuring the family therapy session - the "client career", referral and the first interview, assessment and contract negotiation, "resistance" and "stuckness" in relationship work, and termination of therapy.
  5. The dynamics of issues of couples and family therapy including: domestic violence, childhood sexual abuse, working with polarised couples, extra-marital affairs, sexual difficulties in the context of couples therapy, and the re-married couple and step-family systems.
  6. Working through the process of the student's own Family of Origin project.

Learning Experience

Students will attend on campus classes as well as engage in learning activities through ECU's LMS

JoondalupMount LawleySouth West (Bunbury)
Semester 213 x 3 hour seminarNot OfferedNot Offered

For more information see the Semester Timetable

Additional Learning Experience Information

Theoretical presentations, review of scheduled readings and workshop of case material including experiential learning via role-play and simulations.

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 School Progression Panel.

Due to the professional competency skill development associated with this Unit, student attendance/participation within listed in-class activities and/or online activities including discussion boards is compulsory. Students failing to meet participation standards as outlined in the unit information may be awarded an I Grade (Fail - incomplete). Students who are unable to meet this requirement for medical or other reasons must seek the approval of the unit coordinator.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
Participation ^Participation on campus and delivery of project10%
Literature Review ^Theoretical view of a clinical issue40%
Project ^Understanding family of origin60%

^ Mandatory to Pass


Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Assessment

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. Informal vivas may be conducted as part of an assessment task, where staff require further information to confirm the learning outcomes have been met. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant School Progression Panel.

Academic Integrity

Integrity is a core value at Edith Cowan University, and it is expected that ECU students complete their assessment tasks honestly and with acknowledgement of other people's work as well as any generative artificial intelligence tools that may have been used. This means that assessment tasks must be completed individually (unless it is an authorised group assessment task) and any sources used must be referenced.

Breaches of academic integrity can include:

Plagiarism

Copying the words, ideas or creative works of other people or generative artificial intelligence tools, without referencing in accordance with stated University requirements. Students need to seek approval from the Unit Coordinator within the first week of study if they intend to use some of their previous work in an assessment task (self-plagiarism).

Unauthorised collaboration (collusion)

Working with other students and submitting the same or substantially similar work or portions of work when an individual submission was required. This includes students knowingly providing others with copies of their own work to use in the same or similar assessment task(s).

Contract cheating

Organising a friend, a family member, another student or an external person or organisation (e.g. through an online website) to complete or substantially edit or refine part or all of an assessment task(s) on their behalf.

Cheating in an exam

Using or having access to unauthorised materials in an exam or test.

Serious outcomes may be imposed if a student is found to have committed one of these breaches, up to and including expulsion from the University for repeated or serious acts.

ECU's policies and more information about academic integrity can be found on the student academic integrity website.

All commencing ECU students are required to complete the Academic Integrity Module.

Assessment Extension

In some circumstances, Students may apply to their Unit Coordinator to extend the due date of their Assessment Task(s) in accordance with ECU's Assessment, Examination and Moderation Procedures - for more information visit https://askus2.ecu.edu.au/s/article/000001386.

Special Consideration

Students may apply for Special Consideration in respect of a final unit grade, where their achievement was affected by Exceptional Circumstances as set out in the Assessment, Examination and Moderation Procedures - for more information visit https://askus2.ecu.edu.au/s/article/000003318.

COU6403|5|1

School: Arts and Humanities

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

    Psychodynamic Theories of Couples and Family Therapy
  • Unit Code

    COU6403
  • Year

    2024
  • Enrolment Period

    2
  • Version

    5
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
  • Unit Coordinator

    Ms Karen DARE

Description

This unit provides a critical analysis of psychodynamically oriented theoretical approaches to couples and family therapy. In addition to the principles of these approaches, focus is on the rationale for using particular interventive strategies with a number of problems commonly presenting in couple or family therapy. Students are provided with an opportunity to study aspects of their own family of origin and the ways in which this may impact on their counselling practice with couples and families. This unit has a compulsory attendance requirement. In keeping with the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) stipulations, students need to have practices necessary skills/ competencies in the classroom to a satisfactory level before going out into the field. A minimum 80% of class attendance is therefore required.

Non Standard Timetable Requirements

This unit runs via 5 full day Saturday workshops.

Prerequisite Rule

Students must pass 2 units from COU5303, COU6121.

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded COU6402

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Synthesise key principles and processes identified with psychoanalytically informed, cross-generational, and emotionally focussed approaches to couple and family therapy practice.
  2. Critically analyse and apply theory to the assessment, formulation and conceptualisation of psychotherapy structure and process with couples and families within an ethical and culturally humble framework.
  3. Plan intervention responses which demonstrate a critical understanding of the dynamics of couple/family relationships in cases presenting frequently encountered difficulties including domestic violence, childhood sexual abuse, and blended family adjustment difficulties indicating how understanding of relationship dynamics influences intervention plans.
  4. Formulate understanding of their own family of origin and the ways in which this may impact their practice as a couple and family counsellor.

Unit Content

  1. The application of psychoanalytic theory (object relations and self psychology), cross-generational, attachment informed and emotionally focused theory to understanding couple and family relationships.
  2. Consideration of structure and process in the initial assessment interview(s) with a couple or family.
  3. The process of couple and family therapy and phases of work: application of psychodynamic, cross-generational, and emotionally focused theory.
  4. Structuring the family therapy session - the "client career", referral and the first interview, assessment and contract negotiation, "resistance" and "stuckness" in relationship work, and termination of therapy.
  5. The dynamics of issues of couples and family therapy including: domestic violence, childhood sexual abuse, working with polarised couples, extra-marital affairs, sexual difficulties in the context of couples therapy, and the re-married couple and step-family systems.
  6. Working through the process of the student's own Family of Origin project.

Learning Experience

Students will attend on campus classes as well as engage in learning activities through ECU's LMS

JoondalupMount LawleySouth West (Bunbury)
Semester 213 x 3 hour seminarNot OfferedNot Offered

For more information see the Semester Timetable

Additional Learning Experience Information

Theoretical presentations, review of scheduled readings and workshop of case material including experiential learning via role-play and simulations.

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 School Progression Panel.

Due to the professional competency skill development associated with this Unit, student attendance/participation within listed in-class activities and/or online activities including discussion boards is compulsory. Students failing to meet participation standards as outlined in the unit information may be awarded an I Grade (Fail - incomplete). Students who are unable to meet this requirement for medical or other reasons must seek the approval of the unit coordinator.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
Participation ^Participation on campus and delivery of project10%
Literature Review ^Theoretical view of a clinical issue40%
Project ^Understanding family of origin60%

^ Mandatory to Pass


Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Assessment

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. Informal vivas may be conducted as part of an assessment task, where staff require further information to confirm the learning outcomes have been met. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant School Progression Panel.

Academic Integrity

Integrity is a core value at Edith Cowan University, and it is expected that ECU students complete their assessment tasks honestly and with acknowledgement of other people's work as well as any generative artificial intelligence tools that may have been used. This means that assessment tasks must be completed individually (unless it is an authorised group assessment task) and any sources used must be referenced.

Breaches of academic integrity can include:

Plagiarism

Copying the words, ideas or creative works of other people or generative artificial intelligence tools, without referencing in accordance with stated University requirements. Students need to seek approval from the Unit Coordinator within the first week of study if they intend to use some of their previous work in an assessment task (self-plagiarism).

Unauthorised collaboration (collusion)

Working with other students and submitting the same or substantially similar work or portions of work when an individual submission was required. This includes students knowingly providing others with copies of their own work to use in the same or similar assessment task(s).

Contract cheating

Organising a friend, a family member, another student or an external person or organisation (e.g. through an online website) to complete or substantially edit or refine part or all of an assessment task(s) on their behalf.

Cheating in an exam

Using or having access to unauthorised materials in an exam or test.

Serious outcomes may be imposed if a student is found to have committed one of these breaches, up to and including expulsion from the University for repeated or serious acts.

ECU's policies and more information about academic integrity can be found on the student academic integrity website.

All commencing ECU students are required to complete the Academic Integrity Module.

Assessment Extension

In some circumstances, Students may apply to their Unit Coordinator to extend the due date of their Assessment Task(s) in accordance with ECU's Assessment, Examination and Moderation Procedures - for more information visit https://askus2.ecu.edu.au/s/article/000001386.

Special Consideration

Students may apply for Special Consideration in respect of a final unit grade, where their achievement was affected by Exceptional Circumstances as set out in the Assessment, Examination and Moderation Procedures - for more information visit https://askus2.ecu.edu.au/s/article/000003318.

COU6403|5|2