| Effective Term: | 2025/02 |
| Institute / School : | Institute of Health and Wellbeing |
| Unit Title: | Advanced Adult Psychopathology |
| Unit ID: | PSYCM7123 |
| Credit Points: | 15.00 |
| Prerequisite(s): | (PSYCM7015) |
| Co-requisite(s): | Nil |
| Exclusion(s): | Nil |
| ASCED: | 090701 |
| Other Change: | |
| Brief description of the Unit |
This unit will build on students existing skills and knowledge of psychological disorders occurring in adulthood. This unit covers knowledge and skills for the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of complex clinical presentations in adulthood. This unit will examine diagnostic taxonomies and theoretical models for formulation and treatment of severe, chronic and complex mental health conditions. Students will also examine the role of clinical psychologists in supporting multi-disciplinary and pharmacological management of complex mental disorders. |
| Grade Scheme: | Graded (HD, D, C, P, MF, F, XF) |
| Work Experience Indicator: |
| No work experience |
| Placement Component: | |
| Supplementary Assessment:No |
| Supplementary assessment is not available to students who gain a fail in this Unit. |
| Course Level: |
| Level of Unit in Course | AQF Level(s) of Course | | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | | Introductory | | | | | | | | Intermediate | | | | | | | | Advanced | | | | |  | |
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| Learning Outcomes: |
| Knowledge: |
| K1. | Develop detailed knowledge of the aetiology, maintenance and treatment of complex and chronic adult psychological disorders. |
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| K2. | Describe, explain and evaluate diagnostic taxonomies and treatment models in complex clinical presentations. |
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| K3. | Synthesise and critically evaluate the role of evidence-based assessment and treatment for psychological disorders. |
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| Skills: |
| S1. | Perform a detailed clinical assessment of complex adult psychological disorders in a peer-reviewed setting |
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| S2. | Create a detailed diagnosis of complex adult psychological disorders based on DSM-5 criteria in conjunction with a comprehensive biopsychosocial assessment. |
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| S3. | Critically evaluate the relevant literature to create an informed best-practice/evidenced based approach to clinical assessment and diagnosis in complex cases. |
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| S4. | Create an evidenced-based formulation and treatment plan for complex adult psychological disorders. |
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| Application of knowledge and skills: |
| A1. | Apply advanced knowledge of psychological theories of aetiology and maintenance of disorders, recovery processes, precursors and sequelae of psychological disorders, including incidence, prevalence, risk, protective and maintenance factors to inform case formulation and treatment planning. |
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| A2. | Apply advanced knowledge of psychopathology and relevant international diagnostic taxonomies to case formulation and treatment planning, including severe, complex and chronic mental illness. |
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| Unit Content: |
Assessment and diagnosis of complex psychological disorders using diagnostic classification systems such as the DSM-5-TR
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| Graduate Attributes: |
| Federation University recognises that students require key transferable employability skills to prepare them for their future workplace and society. FEDTASKS (Transferable Attributes Skills and Knowledge) provide a targeted focus on five key transferable Attributes, Skills, and Knowledge that are be embedded within curriculum, developed gradually towards successful measures and interlinked with cross-discipline and Co-operative Learning opportunities. One or more FEDTASK, transferable Attributes, Skills or Knowledge must be evident in the specified learning outcomes and assessment for each FedUni Unit, and all must be directly assessed in each Course.
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| FED TASK and descriptor | Development and acquisition of FEDTASKS in the Unit | | Level | FEDTASK 1 Interpersonal | Students at this level will demonstrate an advanced ability in a range of contexts to effectively communicate, interact and work with others both individually and in groups. Students will be required to display high level skills in-person and/or online in: • Using and demonstrating a high level of verbal and non-verbal communication • Demonstrating a mastery of listening for meaning and influencing via active listening • Demonstrating and showing empathy for others • High order skills in negotiating and conflict resolution skills\\ • Demonstrating mastery of working respectfully in cross-cultural and diverse teams. | 1 - Yes | FEDTASK 2 Leadership | Students at this level will demonstrate a mastery in professional skills and behaviours in leading others. • Creating and sustaining a collegial environment • Demonstrating a high level of self -awareness and the ability to self-reflect and justify decisions • Inspiring and initiating opportunities to lead others • Making informed professional decisions • Demonstrating initiative in new professional situations. | 1 - Yes | FEDTASK 3 Critical Thinking and Creativity | Students at this level will demonstrate high level skills in working in complexity and ambiguity using the imagination to create new ideas. Students will be required to display skills in: • Reflecting critically to generate and consider complex ideas and concepts at an abstract level • Analysing complex and abstract ideas, concepts and information • Communicate alternative perspectives to justify complex ideas • Demonstrate a mastery of challenging conventional thinking to clarify complex concepts • Forming creative solutions in problem solving to new situations for further learning. | 1 - Yes | FEDTASK 4 Digital Literacy | Students at this level will demonstrate the ability to work competently across a wide range of tools, platforms and applications to achieve a range of tasks. Students will be required to display skills in: • Mastering, exploring, evaluating, managing, curating, organising and sharing digital information professionally • Collating, managing complex data, accessing and using digital data securely • Receiving and responding professionally to messages in a range of professional digital media • Contributing competently and professionally to digital teams and working groups • Participating at a high level in digital learning opportunities. | 3 - N/A | FEDTASK 5 sustainable and Ethical Mindset | Students at this level will demonstrate a mastery of considering and assessing the consequences and impact of ideas and actions in enacting professional ethical and sustainable decisions. Students will be required to display skills in: • Demonstrate informed judgment making that considers the impact of devising complex solutions in ambiguous global economic environmental and societal contexts • Professionally committing to the promulgation of social responsibility • Demonstrate the ability to evaluate ethical, socially responsible and/or sustainable challenges and generating and articulating responses • Communicating lifelong, life-wide and life-deep learning to be open to the diverse professional others • Generating, leading and implementing required actions to foster sustainability in their professional and personal life | 1 - Yes |
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| | Learning Outcomes Assessed | Assessment Tasks | Assessment Type | Weighting | | 1. | K1, K2, K3, S1, S2, S3, S4, A1, A2 | Oral Examination: verbal presentation of assessment, aetiology and diagnosis of complex adult clinical case(s) | Oral Examination | 40-60% | | 2. | K1, K3, S2, S3, A1, A2 | Case Study Written Report | Written Report | 40-60% |
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