Foundations of Psychotherapy

This unit of study will introduce students to the applied practice of psychotherapy. The unit aims to develop students in the foundation skills of evidence-based, non-specific treatment factors, which are common to all therapeutic orientations. In an ethically appropriate way, these include core skills for development and maintenance of the therapeutic relationship, managing emotional content, therapeutic structure and the use of supervision as a learning tool. Students will develop skills in suicide risk and risk assessment and ethical knowledge. Students will be introduced to key psychological skills of cultural awareness and interprofessional practice.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. Exemplify skills in performing a clinical interview with a simulated client;
2. Distil ethical knowledge and cultural awareness as it applies to professional psychology practice;
3. Critically reflect on their own interviewing skills and learning;
4. Assess and articulate risk in relation to self-harm and suicidality; and
5. Participate in an academic community through reflective and critical engagement in academic texts and understanding of principles of academic integrity.