Course coordinator
Dr Jaime Yasky
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 18/11/2024)
- Study level
- Postgraduate Coursework
- Location
- Herston
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- Herston
- Coordinating unit
- UQ Medical School
This course is designed to prepare you for clinical practice in the mental health field by critically engaging with key research, knowledge and skills relative to the common and specific factors paradigm. An emphasis is placed on how different therapeutic traditions conceptualise and manage different phases and tasks of treatment. The development of basic therapeutic skills required for effective therapeutic practice is also emphasised.
This course is designed to prepare you for clinical practice in the mental health field by critically engaging with key research, knowledge and skills relative to the common and specific factors paradigm. An emphasis is placed on developing basic therapeutic skills, on developing a procedural view of psychotherapy, and on learning how different therapeutic traditions conceptualise and manage the different therapeutic tasks.
Course requirements
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
PXMH7029
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Dr Jaya Valvoi
Dr Jaime Yasky
Mr Sam McArdle
Ms Farah Suleman
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
Please refer to learning activities for details about these activities:
Tutorial program (starting week of the 22 July)
- Art Therapy Tutorial: Wednesdays 5:30-6:45pm (Locals) and Wednesdays 7:00-8:15pm (Remotes) with Farah Suleman, all via Zoom
- Psychotherapy Tutorial: Wednesdays 5:30-6:45pm with Sam McArdle via Zoom
Workshops
- Workshop 1: Monday 5 August 1:00pm-4:30pm with Jaime Yasky in person
- Workshop 2: Wednesday 7 August 1:00pm-4:30pm with Jaya Judd in person
- Workshop 3: Thursday 8 August 1:00pm-4:30pm with Jaime Yasky in person
Students are expected to attend all tutorial and workshop activities.
Aims and outcomes
1. Facilitate a reflective and critical approach to a procedural view of treatment and to the “common factors” paradigm in mental health treatments
2. Facilitate the learning of common therapeutic skills for mental health treatment
3. Facilitated the training of basic therapeutic skills relative to common factors approach and to relevant Art Therapy and Psychotherapy traditions
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Recognise key concepts and critically review the common and specific factors paradigm in mental health treatments
LO2.
Identify and differentiate how relevant Art Therapy and Psychotherapy traditions conceive the different phases of treatment and common factors in mental health treatment
LO3.
Practice basic therapeutic skills relative to common factors approach and to relevant Art Therapy and Psychotherapy traditions
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reflection |
Weekly online discussion board
|
40% 10 posts 300 words each |
22/07/2024 - 25/10/2024 |
| Reflection |
Reflection on practicing a therapeutic skill
|
20% 1200 words |
26/08/2024 1:00 pm |
| Essay/ Critique |
Common factors across therapeutic traditions
|
40% 2500 words |
14/10/2024 1:00 pm |
A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.
Assessment details
Weekly online discussion board
- Hurdle
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Reflection
- Weight
- 40% 10 posts 300 words each
- Due date
22/07/2024 - 25/10/2024
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02
Task description
Before each tutorial, you will post a 300-word response (±10%) to that week's questions on the Learn.UQ discussion board. You will use key concepts from the assigned readings and relate them to your clinical practice. Questions and readings will be available in the 'learning activities' tab of the Course Profile. You will submit your post through the "Discussion Board" tab on the Learn.UQ course site. No bibliographical references are needed.
This assessment task evaluates your abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI). You are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Hurdle requirements
You must complete and submit all assessment items to pass the course.Submission guidelines
Submission instructions will be provided via Learn.UQ.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Late submission
Assessments submitted after the due date without an approved extension will receive a late penalty.
Reflection on practicing a therapeutic skill
- Hurdle
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Reflection
- Weight
- 20% 1200 words
- Due date
26/08/2024 1:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03
Task description
The experience of applying a therapeutic skill can often differ significantly from what is taught in class or outlined in theoretical frameworks. For this assessment, you will write a reflection on a specific challenge you encountered while training or practicing therapeutic skills during the course workshops. Describe how you addressed this challenge and what you learned from it as a practitioner.
This assessment task is designed to evaluate your abilities, skills, and knowledge without the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Please note that the use of AI technologies to develop your responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Hurdle requirements
You must complete and submit all assessment items to pass the course.Submission guidelines
Submission instructions will be provided via Learn.UQ.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Late submission
Assessments submitted after the due date without an approved extension will receive a late penalty.
Common factors across therapeutic traditions
- Hurdle
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 40% 2500 words
- Due date
14/10/2024 1:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03
Task description
Common factors are conceptualised and practiced differently across various therapeutic traditions. For this assessment, select one common factor and compare how it is conceptualised by two different therapeutic traditions. Conduct a comparative analysis, highlighting their similarities and distinctions. Identify two possible implications for clinical practice based on the differences you have identified. Use clinical examples from your own practice to illustrate these implications.
This assessment task is designed to evaluate your abilities, skills, and knowledge without the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Please note that the use of AI technologies to develop your responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Hurdle requirements
You must complete and submit all assessment items to pass the course.Submission guidelines
Submission instructions will be provided via Learn.UQ.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Late submission
Assessments submitted after the due date without an approved extension will receive a late penalty.
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 requirement. |
| 2 (Fail) | 35 - 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. |
| 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 shows clear deficiencies when submitted assessment material is evaluated against marking criteria. |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 65 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Has met but not exceeded minimum assessment criteria. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
Additional course grading information
Calculation of Final Grade
The overall course mark will be calculated by adding the point marks achieved across all the marked assessment tasks. The total of the weighted assessment tasks for the course will be rounded to a whole number such that a percentage mark for the course of x.5% or greater will be rounded up to (x+1)%. A percentage mark of less than x.5% will be rounded down to x%.
You must complete and submit all assessment items to pass the course.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
Please note that all submission dates for assessments are in Brisbane time - Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST).
Please submit all written assessment via Learn.UQ using Turnitin. You must include an Assignment Cover Sheet. A copy of the Assignment Cover Sheet and Guidelines for submitting using Turnitin can be foundﾠon your Learn.UQ course site under Assessment.
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence (AI) provides emerging tools that may support you in completing some assessments. You may appropriately use AI in completing your assessment tasks for this course unless otherwise indicated by the Course Coordinator. You must clearly reference any use of AI in each instance. A failure to reference AI use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct. Refer to the following guide regarding referencing of AI: Overview - ChatGPT and other generative AI tools - Library Guides at University of Queensland Library (uq.edu.au).
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.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 (22 Jul - 28 Jul) |
Tutorial |
T1: Introduction to Semester Review of Course Profile with students, including learning objectives, activities, learning method, and assessment pieces for the course. Please refer to ‘Learning Resources \ Course Reading List’ for this session’s compulsory readings. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Week 2 (29 Jul - 04 Aug) |
Tutorial |
T2: The Dodo verdict and common factors paradigm Discussion of readings that explore the common factors paradigm and alternative views.
Art therapy only:
Please refer to ‘Learning Resources \ Course Reading List’ for this session’s compulsory readings. Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Week 3 (05 Aug - 11 Aug) |
Workshop |
Workshop Day 1 Workshop 1:
Please refer to ‘Learning Resources \ Course Reading List’ for this session’s compulsory readings. Learning outcomes: L01, L03 |
Workshop |
Workshop Day 2 Workshop 2:
Please refer to ‘Learning Resources \ Course Reading List’ for this session’s compulsory readings. Learning outcomes: L01, L03 |
|
Workshop |
Workshop Day 3 Workshop 3:
Please refer to ‘Learning Resources \ Course Reading List’ for this session’s compulsory readings. Learning outcomes: L01, L03 |
|
Week 4 (12 Aug - 18 Aug) |
Tutorial |
T3: Procedural view and dose of treatment Discussion of readings that explore the process view of therapy and related issues.
Please refer to ‘Learning Resources \ Course Reading List’ for this session’s compulsory readings. Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Week 5 (19 Aug - 25 Aug) |
Tutorial |
T4: The therapeutic alliance Discussion of readings that explore the origin and alternative views of the therapeutic alliance.
Art therapy only:
Please refer to ‘Learning Resources \ Course Reading List’ for this session’s compulsory readings. Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Week 6 (26 Aug - 01 Sep) |
Tutorial |
T5: Client factors, feedback and responsiveness Importance of client factors. Discussion of readings that explore factors from the client and the therapist affecting therapeutic process and outcome.
Art therapy only:
Please refer to ‘Learning Resources \ Course Reading List’ for this session’s compulsory readings. Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Week 7 (02 Sep - 08 Sep) |
Tutorial |
T6: Different platforms for the 'talking' cure Discussion of readings that explore modalities of therapy that rely on alternative communication / interaction platforms (play, art, movement, drama, music, writing, etc.)
Art therapy only:
Please refer to ‘Learning Resources \ Course Reading List’ for this session’s compulsory readings. Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Week 8 (09 Sep - 15 Sep) |
Tutorial |
T7: Supportive and expressive emphases in therapy Discussion of readings that explore the use and aims of supportive and of expressive interventions.
Art therapy only:
Please refer to ‘Learning Resources \ Course Reading List’ for this session’s compulsory readings. Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Week 9 (16 Sep - 22 Sep) |
Tutorial |
T8: Discussion of common factors essay This tutorial provides students an opportunity to discuss with their tutor how to approach the essay on a topic related to common factors from specific therapeutic traditions. Please refer to ‘Learning Resources \ Course Reading List’ for this session’s compulsory readings. Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Week 10 (30 Sep - 06 Oct) |
Tutorial |
T9: Therapy as a skills building instance Preparing for what life throws at you. Discussion of readings that explore the idea of therapy as a skills development instance.
Art therapy only:
Please refer to ‘Learning Resources \ Course Reading List’ for this session’s compulsory readings. Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Week 11 (07 Oct - 13 Oct) |
Tutorial |
T10: Mentalizing, changing thinking and meaning Flexing your thinking and seeing things differently. Discussion of readings that explore change in mentalising, thinking or in meaning as key task in therapy.
Art therapy only:
Please refer to ‘Learning Resources \ Course Reading List’ for this session’s compulsory readings. Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Week 12 (14 Oct - 20 Oct) |
Tutorial |
T11: Changing maladaptive patterns Acknowledging our contribution to vicious cycles. Discussion of readings that explore the importance of awareness and self-control to change pathological patterns (behavioural, intrapsychic and interpersonal).
Art therapy only:
Please refer to ‘Learning Resources \ Course Reading List’ for this session’s compulsory readings. Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Week 13 (21 Oct - 27 Oct) |
Tutorial |
T12: Exposure, distress tolerance and change Sitting with distress and breaking avoidance. Discussion of readings that explore the importance of connecting to and negotiating distressing/conflictive circumstances as key task in therapy.
Art therapy only:
Please refer to ‘Learning Resources \ Course Reading List’ for this session’s compulsory readings. Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
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.