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

  Couples and Family Therapy Practice 1

• Unit Code

  COU6428

• Year

  2015

• Enrolment Period

  1

• Version

  1

• Credit Points

  15

• Full Year Unit

  N

• Mode of Delivery

  On Campus
  

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Description

Across two weekend intensive workshops within an agency context, this unit aims to develop student skills and roles relating to the assessment of presenting situations involving couples, dyads or families. Choice of appropriate interventions, and evaluation of the outcome of the session is considered. There will be an emphasis on the application of recent theoretical developments in therapeutic work.

Non Standard Timetable Requirements

Oncampus Intensive Weekend Workshops

Prerequisite Rule

Students must pass 5 units from COU5210, COU5303, COU6113, COU6324, COU6403

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded COU6423

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Develop an assessment process for clients employing perspectives from systemic theoretical frameworks.
2. Elucidate the limitations of the therapeutic context and those situations best managed through referral to another professional.
3. Evaluate clinical session outcomes both independently and in consultation with the clients.
4. Evaluate social contextual, cross cultural, international and gender variables as impacts on client engagement and outcomes.
5. Generate possible interventions, drawn from recent clinical and theoretical developments, and link these to observations about the client and the process of the therapy session.
6. Illustrate therapeutic skills specific to systemic practice with couples, dyads or families and a critical understanding of the structure of the therapeutic process.
7. Maintain a focus on the goals and perspectives of the client while operating from systemic and psychodynamically informed theoretical frameworks.
8. Utilise, in simulated interviews, the skills necessary to conduct an assessment interview(s) with a couple or family, and provide a theoretical rationale for the way in which the interview was structured.

Unit Content

1. Application of current approaches and interventions for clinical practice specific to the systemic and psychodynamic theoretical approaches taught in the course to the clinical context.
2. Engagement, assessment and the development of a therapuetic alliance with couples and families.
3. Inclusion of client perspectives in collaborative goal setting and evaluation.
4. Key clinical skills, techniques and processes critical to systemic practice with couples and families.
5. Observation, analysis and critical reflection skills applied to clinical supervision.
6. Recent theoretical developments and their clinical applications within the field of couple and family therapy.
7. Skills in reflective practice applied in groups and clinical teams, peer evaluation and feedback.
8. Social contextual, cross cultural, international, and gender factors impacting engagement and outcome.

Additional Learning Experience Information

The emphasis of the unit will be on clinical supervision and reflective practice rather than didactic content. Students will work with recording their own sessions and the use of the one-way screen as tools enabling focussed supervision. Students will conduct simulated interviews, including role play and experiential exercises, to develop both their clinical skills and their capacity to critically evaluate processes of engagement and intervention.

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.

Due to the professional competency skill development associated with this Unit, student attendance/participation within listed in-class activities is compulsory. Students failing to meet participation standards as outlined in the unit plan 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.

^ Mandatory to Pass

Text References

• ^ Taibbi, R. (2010). Doing couple therapy: Craft and creativity with intimate partners. Guildford Press: New York. Note: Paperback version
• Catherall, D.R. (2007). Emotional safety: Viewing couples through the lens of affect. New York, NY: Routledge.
• Williams, L., Edwards, T.M., Pattison, J. & Chamow, L. (2011). Essential assessment skills for couple and family therapists. New York: Guildford Press.
• Weeks, G.R., & Treat, S.R. (2009). Couples in treatment: Techniques and approaches for effective practice (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Routledge.
• Weeks, G. R., Odell, M., & Methven, S. (2005). If only I had known...Avoiding common mistakes in couples therapy. New York, NY: W.W. Norton & Co.
• Sprenkle, D. H. , Davis, S. D., Lebow J. L. (2009). Common factors in couple and family therapy: The overlooked foundation for effective practice. New York: Guildford Press.
• Gurman, A. S. (Ed.). (2010). Clinical casebook of couple therapy. New York: Guildford Press.
• Johnson, S.M. (2004). The practice of emotionally focused couple therapy: Creating connection (2nd ed.). Hove, UK: Brunner-Routledge.
• Patterson, J., Williams, L. (2009). Essential skills in family therapy: From the first interview to termination. New York: Guildford Press.
• Rhodes, P. & Wallis, A. (Eds.). ( 2011). A practical guide to family therapy: Structured guidelines and key skills. East Hawthorn, Victoria: IP Communications.
• Shaw, E., & Crawley, J. (Eds.). (2007). Couple therapy in Australia. Melbourne: PsychOz Publications.

Journal References

• Journal of Marital and Family Therapy
• Family Process
• Australian and New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy
• Journal of Systemic Therapies
• Psychotherapy in Australia

^ Mandatory reference

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