Course coordinator
Ms Louise Leotta
Lead Lecturer Art Therapy
Mon, Tues & Thurs 9am - 5pm (please schedule an appointment)
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 Practicum course provides the opportunity to develop clinical skills in treatment settings. The emphasis of the fourth placement is developing specialist art therapy treatment skills with an emphasis on dealing with treatment resistance and complex presentations; managing defences, lack of engagement and low motivation for change, decompensation, suicidality, substance abuse and self-harm risks. Art Therapy Field of Study requirements will be met by this course.
Welcome to PXMH7110 Practicum 4 in Art Therapy, a course in the Masters in Mental Health (Art Therapy) program. This course aims to provide you with opportunities to develop specialised art therapy practices through 200 hours of supervised placement. Please note that a total of 750 accumulated hours over the program is required for professional registration. You are expected to initiate and implement art therapy activities during your placement and address complex presentations at your site. Activities will be developed in consultation with your on-site supervisor, but you must demonstrate your capacity to take initiative, work autonomously, and respond appropriately to varying circumstances.
You will attend a weekly supervision group to help integrate theory and practice. This group will offer a space for reflective practice related to your placement, addressing specific needs and questions about your experiences. It provides a forum for learning, reporting back, presenting cases in depth, and receiving feedback. The emphasis will be on deepening your understanding, exposure to advanced art therapy treatment practices, and complex treatment circumstances. Additionally, art making will be used as a tool for reflective functioning, forming your emerging art therapist identity, externalising questions, and expanding your clinical understanding of client/trainee art therapist interactions.
A visual and written reflective journal is required for this course and should be uploaded to the PXMH7110 Blackboard online journal (refer to the Assessment section for further information). If you experience any difficulties, please inform the Course Coordinator promptly so that together you can ensure your placement and class experiences are rewarding.
Course requirements
Assumed background
It is assumed that you are either concurrently enrolled in or have previously completed PXMH7106 and PXMH7116.
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
PXMH7101, PXMH7102, PXMH7107, PXMH7103, PXMH7104, PXMH7108 and PXMH7109
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
PXMH7038
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Ms Louise Leotta
Ms Angela Lancaster
Ms Georgia Betteridge
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
All times in Brisbane time - Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST).
Weekly Group Supervision
80% attendance required to meet course and registration requirements
Local Students:
(Please note there will be a mixture of face to face and online Zoom classes)
- Tuesday 6:00 - 7:30pm, K Floor, Mental Health Centre, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospitalﾠ
- Case Presentations will be conducted via Zoom so they can be easily recorded
Remote Students:
- Wednesday 6:00 - 7:30pm (Online via Zoom)ﾠ
Workshops
- Local & Remote Combined Zoom & Face-to-Face Workshop Exploring Professional Identity from 3:00 - 5:00pm on 22 October 2024.
- Face to Face Workshops held - Week 2 from Wednesday 31 July to Saturday 3 August 2024 (inclusive).ﾠ
- Workshops for this course form part of the full Residential Week program for all Semester 2 courses in the program.
- Please liaise with the Course Coordinators if you need further information about days required based on enrolment.
Aims and outcomes
This course is designed to enable you to implement knowledge developed during skills courses and Art Therapy Practicums 1, 2 & 3 in an appropriate mental health practice environment. You will undertake 200 hours of art therapy practice, of which a minimum of 50ﾠhours takes the form of mental health services to clients and a minimum of 10 hours of supervision. During this practicum, You are expected to demonstrate your ability to provide art therapy services under minimal supervision. You will show your skills to work both collaboratively and autonomously. The focus of the fourth placement is to develop specialist individual and group therapeutic skills and build capacity to address complex presentations. You will participate in weekly supervision provided by the University. Placement and university supervision will provide opportunities for you to deepen understanding and reflective functioning.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Under minimal supervision, develop and maintain relationship with a client or group of clients
LO2.
Under minimal supervision demonstrate appropriate knowledge of therapeutic practices to develop specialist art therapy and mental health skills, some work may be carried out online
LO3.
Under minimal supervision demonstrate appropriate skills to engage in art therapy with clients and address complex presentations, some work may be carried out online
LO4.
Under minimal supervision develop and maintain relationships that consider specific needs, values, perspectives and culture of client group/s
LO5.
Engage in clinical supervision to deepen understanding and reflective capacity, some supervision may be carried out online
LO6.
Demonstrate appropriate relationships with staff and effectively communicate with other professionals and/or family members
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Placement |
Practicum
|
Compliance Hurdle |
22/07/2024 - 8/11/2024
17:00 (AEST) |
| Reflection |
Reflective Journal
|
50% 10 posts 300/400 words each |
25/07/2024 - 8/11/2024
17:00 (AEST) |
| Presentation |
Case Study Presentation
|
50% |
27/08/2024 - 9/10/2024 |
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
Practicum
- Hurdle
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Placement
- Weight
- Compliance Hurdle
- Due date
22/07/2024 - 8/11/2024
17:00 (AEST)
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06
Task description
You will undertake 200 hours in a work environment that provides the opportunity to work with people face to face or online seeking help for concerns that may include mental health problems. You will have an on-site placement supervisor and are required to engage in a minimum 10 hours of supervision with the on-site supervisor or one hour of supervision for every 20 hours of practice. In addition, you will participate in weekly university supervision classes. Refer to the Learning Activities section for more detail.
To complete the practicum successfully, all of the following requirements must be met. You must:
- Undertake the required practicum in an appropriate setting that provides the opportunity to work with people seeking help for concerns that may include mental health problems.
- If you have any concerns about the appropriateness of your workplace or placement setting, contact the course coordinator to discuss. Any alternative plan to meet the learning objectives of the course will need the permission of the course coordinator.
- Provide a signed placement contract.
- Provide accurate logs, appropriately verified, that demonstrate minimum 200 hours of work including 50 hours of direct practice with clients.
- Provide appropriate evidence of a minimum of 10 hours of direct supervision and appropriate participation in weekly university group supervision.
- Provide a signed mid-placement and end of placement report.
- The final report rates achievement in relation to each learning objective. You will attain and pass this placement when these have been assessed as Fully Achieved on the Final End of Semester Evaluation Report. Mostly-Fully Achieved is relevant where placements have limited access/opportunity to offer in depth learning in a maximum of one of the criteria.
Hurdle requirements
You must satisfactorily complete this assessment task (as described above) 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
You are required to submit assessable items on time. Late penalties apply where assessment is submitted after the deadline. Where an assessment is submitted after the specified due date, a penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark allocated for the assessment item will be deducted per day for up to 7 calendar days. A submission that is not made within 7 calendar days will receive a mark of 0% for that assessment. For example, an assessment submitted 1 hour late will be penalised 10%; an assessment submitted 30 hours late is penalised 20% (due to being late by one 24-hour period plus part of another 24-hour period). This means that if you achieve full marks for an assessment item, if it is 7 calendar days late, your mark will be zero after late penalties are applied.
Reflective Journal
- Hurdle
- Mode
- Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia, Written
- Category
- Reflection
- Weight
- 50% 10 posts 300/400 words each
- Due date
25/07/2024 - 8/11/2024
17:00 (AEST)
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06
Task description
You are required to complete a weekly journal of self-reflection, related to field placement experiences. You are to upload your written and visual reflections on the day prior to the weekly supervision class for the preceding week on placement. This is a self-evaluation process - a personal journey of learning and deepening awareness. You will use references to deepen your understanding or to support your experiences. The marking is according to how well you have taken the opportunity to reflect on your learning and experiences throughout the semester.
Criteria & Marking:
- You have engaged in self-reflection through a minimum of 10 written journals uploaded to the Learn.UQ submission point. Each entry is required to be 300-400 words in length and incorporate visual/art-based reflection. The journal entries are accessible, comprehensible and use a consistent referencing style.
- Journal entries are focused on learning, relationships, experiences, insights, case examples and reflections relating to working in mental health care setting and the use of Art Therapy. Journal entries use references and literature to deepen understanding and/or support experiences.
- You are able to discuss your feelings, thoughts, behaviours, actions, knowledge and skills in the role of an emerging Art Therapist and use written and art-based practices to critically reflect on your personal and professional use of self.
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 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
You are required to submit assessable items on time. Late penalties apply where assessment is submitted after the deadline. Where an assessment is submitted after the specified due date, a penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark allocated for the assessment item will be deducted per day for up to 7 calendar days. A submission that is not made within 7 calendar days will receive a mark of 0% for that assessment. For example, an assessment submitted 1 hour late will be penalised 10%; an assessment submitted 30 hours late is penalised 20% (due to being late by one 24-hour period plus part of another 24-hour period). This means that if you achieve full marks for an assessment item, if it is 7 calendar days late, your mark will be zero after late penalties are applied.
Case Study Presentation
- Hurdle
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- 50%
- Due date
27/08/2024 - 9/10/2024
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06
Task description
You will complete a de-identified case presentation that offers a vivid portrait of your work with a client, family or group in a Mental Health/School or Non-Government Organisation placement setting. The presentation should provide client/s history, description of practice setting and the process of the work you have done. The presentation will demonstrate your understanding of the client/s complex needs, the outcome or current state of the intervention. The oral presentation is accompanied by PowerPoint/Prezi/Visual Presentation which includes relevant diagrams, artworks and treatment information that demonstrate treatment relationship, complex presentations, clinical decisions, interventions conducted, including art therapy intervention, presenting situation and environmental factors. The presentation and each criteria below draws on and references appropriate art therapy interventions and evidence-based treatments that are relevant and clinically appropriate for the client/s and the presenting situation/environment. You will be allocated the date of your case presentation at the beginning of the semester. You are required to submit a copy of the slides to the marker via email before group supervision class, on or before the presentation date. The class will participate in a 20min reflective discussion after each 20min case presentation.
Criteria & Marking:
- A formal case presentation that describes the context of the work, a summary of the client/s story and presenting concerns, assessment, formulation, provision or confirmed diagnosis, the treatment plan/goals and the interventions used by you and others with the de-identified client/s. Where relevant, you can provide measurement of treatment effect and outcomes using approved assessment, outcome data and client/s feedback.
- You demonstrate the development of specialist art therapy treatment skills required for complex treatment presentations. You discuss art therapy interventions that are relevant to client/s presentation. You show your problem-solving skills for challenges that arose in the client work. You demonstrate reflective capacity and are able to discuss your case study with fellow students and assessor in the follow-up discussion.
- You demonstrate that you have incorporated the client/s story, development, culture and identity into your formulation, treatment planning and interventions. The presentation draws on and references appropriate art therapy interventions and evidence-based treatments that are relevant and clinically appropriate for the client/s and the presenting situation/environment.
- 20-minute case presentation is clearly articulated in a sequential order that tells a story to the listener. The accompanying visual presentation complements the oral communication, is well compiled, formatted and uses consistent academic style & referencing throughout. It includes diagrams, tables, visual images. The presentation demonstrates ethical practices using appropriate language and terminology suitable to practice environment.
Verbal Presentation:
- This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Visual Presentation:
- 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 all assessment items to pass the course.Submission guidelines
You are required to submit a copy of the slides to the marker via email before group supervision class, on or before the presentation date.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Late submission
You are required to submit assessable items on time. Late penalties apply where assessment is submitted after the deadline. Where an assessment is submitted after the specified due date, a penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark allocated for the assessment item will be deducted per day for up to 7 calendar days. A submission that is not made within 7 calendar days will receive a mark of 0% for that assessment. For example, an assessment submitted 1 hour late will be penalised 10%; an assessment submitted 30 hours late is penalised 20% (due to being late by one 24-hour period plus part of another 24-hour period). This means that if you achieve full marks for an assessment item, if it is 7 calendar days late, your mark will be zero after late penalties are applied.
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: Fails to submit assessment and demonstrate most or all of the basic requirements of the course; attains an overall mark of less than 35% |
| 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 and major part of assessment is incomplete or not submitted; 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: Demonstrates deficiencies in understanding 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: Students will be unable to achieve a grade above 3 if they 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: Adequately demonstrates understanding, addresses required criteria and has met the minimum requirement for all assessment; 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: Adequately demonstrates competent understanding, addresses required criteria and has met minimum or above requirements for all assessment; 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: Effectively demonstrates substantial understanding, addresses required criteria and meets or exceeds minimum requirements for all assessment 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: Effectively demonstrates extensive understanding with outstanding achievement on assessment items when evaluated against marking criteria and meets or exceeds minimum requirements for all assessment; attains an overall mark of at least 86% |
Additional course grading information
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. The percentage mark for this course is reached by calculating the weighted average percentage mark achieved across the marked assessment tasks. The total of the weighted assessment tasks for the course will be rounded to two decimal points if required, with the final mathematical rounding to an integer at the end yielding a percentage mark. A mark 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%.
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).
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.
Other course materials
If we've listed something under further requirement, you'll need to provide your own.
Required
| Item | Description | Further Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Morgan, K. (2023). Early-career art therapists reflecting client art in clinical notes: a thematic study. International Journal of Art Therapy, 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1080/17454832.2023.2264372 | Course Reading | |
| Ortner, D. (2024). Creative arts as self-care: vicarious trauma, resilience and the trainee art therapist. International Journal of Art Therapy, 29(1), 45 56. https://doi.org/10.1080/17454832.2024.2317941 | Course Reading |
Additional learning resources information
Articlesﾠand resources relevant to the course will be uploaded to the Learning Resources section of Learn.UQ.
You will be provided with Placement Guidelines Booklet which contains:
- Placement Contract
- Clinical Placement Report - Mid Placement Evaluation
- Clinical Placement Report - End of Placement Evaluation
- Client Contact and Non-Client Contact Log Sheet Templates
- Client Art Therapy Consent Form
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 |
|---|---|---|
Multiple weeks From Week 1 To Week 13 |
Tutorial |
Art Therapy Supervision Group You will attend university supervision group with an experienced art therapist. You will explore and reflect on your practicum experience by engaging in discussion and art making. There are circumstances where your placements may begin earlier and/or finish later than dates listed; in these circumstances the course coordinator will make arrangements to offer you supervision. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06 |
Multiple weeks From Week 1 To Exam week 1 |
Placement |
Individual On-site Supervision You will meet with onsite supervisor for a minimum of 10 hours during the practicum. For each 20 hours you spend at placement the onsite supervisor will provide a minimum of one hour of supervision. The purpose of supervision is for practice reflection, the use of self and therapeutic skill/knowledge, to utilise the expertise of the supervisor, to address the placement learning objectives and to review progress in relation to achievement of these objectives. In circumstances where your placement begins earlier and/or finishes later than dates listed; the onsite supervisor will provide supervision for the duration of the placement. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06 |
Practical |
Visual & Written Journal You are required to complete and submit online visual and written reflective journal entries related to placement experiences. See Assessment section of Course Profile for details. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06 |
|
Placement |
Practicum You will undertake 200 hours of mental health art therapy practice consisting of a minimum of 50 hours of direct client work and 10 hours supervision with onsite supervisor.
Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06 |
|
Week 2 (29 Jul - 04 Aug) |
Workshop |
Residential Week Workshops Face to Face Compulsory Workshops held in Week 2 including the weekend from Wednesday 31 July to Saturday 3 August 2024. Workshops for this course form part of the full Residential Week program. The workshops related to this course focus on Art Therapy Assessment from Phenomenological & Trauma-informed Approaches, Complex Cases, Experiential and Reflective Art Making and Group Processes. Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Multiple weeks From Week 6 To Week 11 |
Case-based learning |
Case Study Presentation You will complete de-identified case presentation. See Assessment Section of Course Profile for further details. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06 |
Week 13 (21 Oct - 27 Oct) |
Workshop |
Exploring Professional Identity Workshop Local & Remote Combined Zoom & Face-to-Face Workshop Exploring Professional Identity 3 - 5pm on 22/10/24 Learning outcomes: L05 |
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.
Course guidelines
80% attendance required to meet course and registration requirements