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Medical School Student and Academic Administration Team
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
- Study level
- Postgraduate Coursework
- Location
- Herston
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- Herston
- Coordinating unit
- UQ Medical School
This course provides you with a multi-disciplinary perspective on ethical mental health practice. You will develop broad knowledge of the legal requirements, professional codes of practice and regulation that governs relevant professional disciplines, as well as their founding principles. You will explore systemic and personal issues that can impact the provision of ethical mental health practice, such as cultural, societal, organisational and personal value positions. Additional ethical models for mental health practice will be presented including consumer driven care, recovery models, and Indigenous Australian perspectives. The second part of this course will focus on the practical application of an ethical decision-making framework. Different aspects of ethical practice will be examined including therapist boundaries and behaviour, scope of practice and competency issues, informed consent and decisional capacity, risk management, confidentiality and the use of technology. You will explore complex ethical dilemmas with fellow students and others from different professional disciplines to promote a shared understanding of values and ethical perspectives. There will be the opportunity to engage in active communication and debate, as well as develop ethical safeguards specific to your personal mental health practice.
This foundation course will provide a firm base for further study and professional practice in mental health, psychotherapy and art therapy. Ethical and moral challenges are central in any mental health encounter. We will engage with the personal, interpersonal, organisational and regulatory components of working in mental health. In workshops you will actively engage withﾠcomplex ethical issues with the intention of developing ethical intelligence in mental health practice. There will be the opportunity to critically examine ethical practice, encourage debate and sharing of experiences and ideas.
Course requirements
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
PXMH7024
Course contact
Course staff
Course coordinator
Dr Jaya Valvoi
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
TUTORIALS
These will be weekly 1.15 hourﾠtutorialsﾠwith experienced clinical professional tutors leading a group of students through some important topics and questions, supported by readings drawn from clinical and research literature. ﾠSee the UQ reading list on Talis for required and recommended resources.
The Art Therapy field of study will have 2 tutorials via zoom, one for remote students and a second for local students. Class times will be provided prior to the commencement of semester and students will be oriented to whether they will be attending the remote and local classes.
Mondays 6:00-7:15pm AEST with Tanya Burkhardt (Local students) via Zoom
Tuesdays 5:45pm-7:00pm AEST with Jane O'Sullivan (Remote students) via Zoom
Students from theﾠPsychotherapy Groupﾠ(includes Psychotherapy field of study, Graduate Certificate and other students enrolled in these courses) will attend the following tutorial via Zoom:
Wednesdays 5:30pm-6:45pm AEST with Andrew Munnings via Zoom
Zoom details for each tutorial will be provided on blackboard prior to the commencement of the semester.
WORKSHOPS
There will be compulsory in-person workshops at Herston, Brisbane for PXMH7102. These will be activity focussed and assist you in engaging in a personal and interactive way with the key concepts in the course.
- Monday 10thﾠMarch will focus on orienting you to studyingﾠin the Post graduate Mental Health Program in the Medical School.
- Wednesday 12thﾠMarch we will focus on learning activities: an Ethical Tribunal and Ethical Mental Health Practice with Priority Populations: An Indigenous Lens, with guest lecturer, Stacey Vervoort.
These workshops are required for you to attend. If you are unable to attend these workshops you need to contact the course coordinator.
Aims and outcomes
This course aims to provide students with knowledge and experiences that will encourage ethical, sustainable and effective mental health practice.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Understand the challenges and opportunities of working alongside consumers and carers.
LO2.
Understand the role of ethics in maintaining a safe and effective therapeutic relationship:
LO3.
Understand the structure of mental health professions in Australia and have a critical understanding of the role and process of professional registration and discipline procedures.
LO4.
Recognise the complexity of and understand the skills needed for working in the broad range of mental health and other clinical services.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation | The Consumer Experience - Report | 25% |
24/03/2025 5:00 pm |
| Essay/ Critique | Investigation of an Ethical Dilemma - Case Study | 50% |
28/04/2025 5:00 pm |
| Presentation | Ethical Safeguards - Presentation | 25% |
12/05/2025 - 30/05/2025
Tutors will schedule your presentation during class time. |
Assessment details
The Consumer Experience - Report
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 25%
- Due date
24/03/2025 5:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L04
Task description
You should interview a consumer or carer of mental health services or art therapy, psychotherapy or counselling, in which the person’s experience of both good (respectful, valuable, effective) and poor (disrespectful, not valuable, ineffective) practice are considered. The report should include a reflection by you on your experience of conducting the interview and the implications for your own practice. 1500 words.
Criteria & Marking:
Students will be marked according to a Rubrics available on the PXMH7102 course on Learn.UQ (Blackboard).
Key marking criteria includes:
1. Report has an introduction that demonstrates that the student has identified an appropriate person to interview and demonstrates that they have appropriately negotiated the person's informed agreement to be interviewed for this report. (approximately 200 words)
2. Report demonstrates that, in a sensitive and respectful manner, the student is able to elicit from the interviewee information and opinion about his or her experience of mental health service and that this material clearly forms the basis of report. (approximately 800 words)
3. Report includes a considered reflection by the student that demonstrates that the student can articulate their own experience of interviewing the person and turning that material into a report as well as demonstrating capacity to reflect on their own, or prospective, mental health practice. (approximately 500 words)
4. Report is written in a structured, well written manner appropriate to the task, uses appropriate referencing where the intellectual work of others is used and has a maximum of 3 references.
Submission guidelines
Submitted through Turnitin on the Learn.UQ (Blackboard) site.
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Late submission
Please refer to the UQ policy on late submission.
Investigation of an Ethical Dilemma - Case Study
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 50%
- Due date
28/04/2025 5:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
Case study that explores an ethical dilemma that has arisen in the students’ mental health practice. The report will begin with a description of the case and their relevant network (e.g., stake holders, MH team, NGO, school community, friends, family); the mental health presentation and the clinical work that has occurred thus far. Next, students will identify and detail an ethical dilemma that arose during the clinical work. Any organisational, legal, and ethical aspects of the dilemma will be described, in conjunction with relevant literature. Students will create and apply an ethical decision-making model, informed by research and self-reflection. The case report will close with the outcomes of this ethical decision-making model and practice recommendations for managing the ethical dilemma.
Criteria & Marking:
All students will be marked according to a Rubrics which is available on PXMH7102 course on Learn.UQ (Blackboard). Key criteria include:
1. A description of the case which identifies the client (a person, family or group) and their network of stakeholders. A summary of the mental health presentation which includes key symptoms, historical factors, and current presentation. An outline of mental health engagement and work that was undertaken with the client, including consideration of ethical mental health care. 15%
2. Identify and detail an ethical dilemma that arose during the clinical work. Consider the implications of this dilemma in conjunction with relevant literature. 10%
3. The student will research and choose an ethical decision making model that best suits their mental health practice. The key steps in the model will be explained and applied to the identified ethical dilemma. The model will foster critical reflection whilst maintaining a consumer focus. 10%
4. The outcomes of the decision making model will be detailed including recommendations for ethical mental health practice. 10%
5. The report is well structures (i.e., headings can be used to define this) and uses clear and grammatically sound language, including correct spelling and a consistent referencing style (a maximum of 6 references). The essay is written within a 3000 word limit and demonstrates the students own original work.
Submission guidelines
Submitted through Turnitin on the Learn.UQ (Blackboard) site.
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Late submission
Please refer to the UQ policy on late submission.
Ethical Safeguards - Presentation
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance, Oral
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- 25%
- Due date
12/05/2025 - 30/05/2025
Tutors will schedule your presentation during class time.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L04
Task description
Ethical mental health care includes developing preventative measures for potential ethical dilemmas. Students will develop clinical guidelines and a brief policy relevant to their area of mental health practice that intends on preventing the emergence of ethical dilemmas. The policy will be the students original ideas, but also be guided relevant research. Students will present their policy to their colleagues in a brief 10-minute presentation and also highlight guidelines and potential caveats to the application of the policy. A 5-minute discussion time will explore the practice implications.
Some examples of Ideas include (but are not limited to):
- Email use with adolescent clients
- Social Media policy for clinicians in private practice (i.e., website, LinkedIn, Facebook)
- Consent to treatment for clients presenting with drug and alcohol issues, but are ambivalent to change
- Communication policy with clients when they are struggling with suicidal presentations
- Managing confidentiality with primary school children in a school setting
Criteria & Marking:
Students will be marked according to a Rubrics which is available on the PXMH7102 course on Learn.UQ (Blackboard). Key criteria include:
1. A brief policy is developed and presented with the purpose of preventing an ethical dilemma found in the students mental health practice. The student demonstrate critical reflection of the policy by providing guidelines for the use of the policy and potential caveats (i.e., problems that may occur when implementing the policy) to its application. 10%
2. The presentation includes a review of the ethical, legal, and organisational implications of the policy by examining literature from scientific research and professional resources. 10%
3. Quality of communication: The presentation is engaging and designed to persuade colleagues to consider this aspect of ethical mental health care. There are presentation materials for classmates, that can be uploaded (i.e., tip-sheet; power-point). The presentation is within the 10-minute time limit (and 5-minute discussion time). The presenters can engage with their colleagues on the materials. 5%
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Late submission
Please refer to the UQ policy on late submission.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 34 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Failure to submit any assessment requirements; attains an overall mark of less than 35%. |
| 2 (Fail) | 34 - 44 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Some assessment items submitted but material submitted shows major deficiencies when evaluated against assessment criteria or major part of assessment is incomplete; attains an overall mark of at least 35% but less than 45%. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: Fails to submit all assessment requirements and/or clear deficiencies when submitted assessment material is evaluated against marking criteria; attains an overall mark of at least 45% but less than the overall pass mark of 50%. Please note: You will be unable to achieve a grade above 3 if you do not complete all assessment items, regardless of overall course performance. |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 65 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Has met but not exceeded minimum assessment criteria; attains the overall pass mark of at least 50% but less than 66%. Please note: To achieve a grade of 4 or above, you must complete and submit all assessment items. |
| 5 (Credit) | 66 - 75 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Has consistently exceeded the minimum assessment criteria on some assessment items but met only minimum criteria on others; attains an overall mark of at least 66% but less than 76%. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 76 - 85 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Has consistently exceeded minimum assessment criteria and has substantially exceeded minimum requirements on at least some items; attains an overall mark of at least 76% but less than 86%. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 86 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Has consistently demonstrated outstanding achievement on assessment items when judges against marking criteria; attains an overall mark of at least 86%. |
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
Submission
Please note that all submission dates for assessments are in Brisbane time - Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST).
Artificial Intelligence
These assessment tasks evaluate students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI). You are advised that the use of AI technologies to create responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct. If you wish to use AI technology for legitimate academic purposes please consult the course staff and get approval before submitting your essay. Please refer to UQs AI guidelines here.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
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| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 (24 Feb - 02 Mar) |
Tutorial |
Introduction to PXMH7102 You will be oriented to the learning activities of PXMH7102, including relevant resources, assessment and expectations. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 2 (03 Mar - 09 Mar) |
Tutorial |
Ethical Care: Developing a Consumer Focus You will explore what constitutes ethical care through the lens of the consumer. You will critically reflect on the mental health system in Australia and whether it delivers consumer focused care. Guidance on the first assessment piece will be provided. Learning outcomes: L01, L03 |
Week 3 (10 Mar - 16 Mar) |
Workshop |
Student Orientation First year students are encouraged to attend this orientation which will provide guidance on successful study at UQ. |
Workshop |
Ethical Violations: Ethics Tribunal You will engage in an ethical tribunal which will highlight key ethical issues that need to be considered and the impact of ethical violations. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
|
Workshop |
Ethical Practice with Priority Populations You will explore Ethical Mental Health Practice using an Indigenous Australian Lens. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04 |
|
Week 4 (17 Mar - 23 Mar) |
Tutorial |
Ethical Principles and Professionalism You will develop understanding of:
Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Week 5 (24 Mar - 30 Mar) |
Tutorial |
Ethical Decision Making: Developing a Framework You will have the opportunity to: Learning outcomes: L02, L03 |
Week 6 (31 Mar - 06 Apr) |
Tutorial |
Ethical Practice: The Psychotherapy Relationship You will explore the psychotherapy relationship, how to define it and pertinent ethical issues such as, dual relationships, boundary crossings and violations. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04 |
Week 7 (07 Apr - 13 Apr) |
Tutorial |
Ethical Practice: Client Rights You will explore how to maintain client rights (such as client dignity and autonomy) during the therapeutic process. The specific ethical issues of confidentiality and privacy, and informed consent and decisional capacity will be examined. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04 |
Week 8 (14 Apr - 20 Apr) |
Tutorial |
Ethical Practice: High Risk Situations You will be able to identify high risk situations that can emerge in mental health practice. The ethical challenges that arise in this context will be explored including: duty to care, duty to warn, using power ethically. Learning outcomes: L02, L04 |
Week 9 (28 Apr - 04 May) |
Tutorial |
Ethical Practice: Professional Integrity Understand how to practice within the bounds of competence, and the importance of therapist self care and determining fitness to practice. Learning outcomes: L02, L03 |
Week 10 (05 May - 11 May) |
Tutorial |
Ethical Practice: Emerging Issues The evolving practice of psychotherapy and art therapy will be explored and the unique emerging ethical issues that technology presents. Learning outcomes: L04 |
Multiple weeks From Week 11 To Week 13 |
Tutorial |
Presentations: Ethical Safeguards You will have the opportunity to learn from their colleagues. Specific learning will be focused on: Learning outcomes: L02, L04 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.