Course coordinator
Dr Jaime Yasky
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 focuses on the knowledge and clinical skills needed to practise psychodynamic and psychoanalytic psychotherapy. In this third psychotherapy skills course you will develop skills in psychodynamic mental health assessment, formulation, treatment planning and intervention, with the view of adjusting the application of these skills to diverse settings. Psychotherapy Field of Study requirements will be met by this course.
This course provides the opportunity to develop clinical skills related to the psychoanalytic tradition. The emphasis of this course is in learning and applying a psychoanalytic approach to the assessment and treatment of mental health problems, including conducting initial interviews, developing a formulation, treatment planning and conducting treatment. You must demonstrate effective application of psychoanalytic perspective to the work with clients. Psychotherapy Field of Study requirements will be met by this course.
Course requirements
Recommended prerequisites
We recommend completing the following courses before enrolling in this one:
PXMH7111 and PXMH7112
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
PXMH7026
Course contact
School enquiries
Medical School Student and Academic Administration Team
Course staff
Lecturer
Dr Jaime Yasky
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
Please refer to 'Learning Activities' for more details:
Workshops:
- Thu 6 March 8:30-12pm: Introduction to Psychoanalysis w Jaime Yasky
- Thu 6 March 13-16:30pm: Basic skills: use of countertransference and transference interpretation w Jaime Yasky
Tutorials:
- Thursdays 6:45 to 8:00pm with Jaime Yasky via Zoom
Aims and outcomes
1. Provide students with opportunities to acquire and discuss knowledge about psychoanalytic therapy and the psychoanalytic perspective on understanding and treatment of mental health conditions across different settings
2. Provide students with opportunities to develop and practice key technical skills of psychoanalytic therapy
3. Provide students with opportunities to discuss with experienced practitioners the application of the psychoanalytic perspective and therapeutic model in their practicum
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Demonstrate advanced capacity to provide mental health services at industry appropriate levels in collaboration with others
LO2.
Demonstrate application of psychoanalytic therapy informed approaches to assessment, formulation and treatment planning and, where appropriate, initiate a treatment plan
LO3.
Demonstrate use of reflective capacity to inform psychotherapeutic interventions in a supervised working environment
LO4.
Demonstrate critical reasoning to examine psychoanalytic therapy approaches to assessment, treatment planning and psychotherapy
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay/ Critique, Reflection | Online Discussion Board | 25% 2 posts/500 words each |
13/03/2025 - 20/03/2025 |
| Presentation | Application of skills in practice | 35% 15 minutes |
15/05/2025 - 29/05/2025
Specific date of presentation to be determined with course coordinator. Presentations will be video recorded as per UQ policy on oral presentations. |
| Essay/ Critique | Analysing the Psychoanalytic Process | 40% 2500 words |
19/05/2025 1:00 pm
Use of AI for creation of content is prohibited and might incur in academic misconduct. Please discuss with staff the use of AI for legitimate purposes prior the submission of the essay. |
Assessment details
Online Discussion Board
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique, Reflection
- Weight
- 25% 2 posts/500 words each
- Due date
13/03/2025 - 20/03/2025
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
You should post 2 entries in the online discussion board (one for each week) in which you present and briefly discuss two key concepts from that week's readings, to then reflect on the potential application of such concepts for your current clinical practice. The posts should be clearly written, demonstrate understanding of the concepts and reflective thinking, and not exceed the 500 words limit.
Criteria & Marking:
1. You have posted 2 entries in the online discussion journal that have been posted during the corresponding week. Each entry should be within the 500 words margin (+/- 10% tolerance)
2. The entries are clearly written and well referenced.
3. Each post clearly and briefly present 2 concepts from the readings, demonstrating understanding of these concepts by applying them reflectively to current clinical challenges you choose to discuss.
Submission guidelines
Post on Discussion Board at the course Learn.UQ (Blackboard) site
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Please find information about applying for an assessment extension here.
Late submission
Please refer to the UQ policy on late submission.
Application of skills in practice
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance, Oral
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- 35% 15 minutes
- Due date
15/05/2025 - 29/05/2025
Specific date of presentation to be determined with course coordinator.
Presentations will be video recorded as per UQ policy on oral presentations.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
In this oral presentation you will present to the tutorial group a clinical vignette from your own practice in which you demonstrate the application of a psychoanalytic skill of the course (e.g. transference interpretation, etc.) to a case. After presenting this clinical vignette with the application of the skill and its outcome, you will lead a brief group discussion to consider the pros and cons of this intervention, proposing an alternative course of action you might have followed for the same clinical situation.
Use of PowerPoint slides to support your presentation is recommended.
You will have 15 minutes for the presentation. A suggested time distribution is 5 minutes to describe the case and the application of the skill, and 10 minutes to lead group discussion about its pros and cons and discuss alternative intervention.
Criteria & Marking:
- Student presents a clinical example in which a psychoanalytic intervention or the application of a psychoanalytic concept is clearly demonstrated.
- Students lead a discussion in which a critique of intervention is presented, including the pros and cons of such intervention, and an alternative intervention to the one presented.
- During this discussion, the student applies pertinent psychoanalytic concepts and demonstrates its understanding.
- The student stays within the 15 minutes limit, presentation is well organised and clear, and shows good use of visual aids such as Powerpoint slides.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Please find information about applying for an assessment extension here.
Late submission
Please refer to the UQ policy on late submission.
Analysing the Psychoanalytic Process
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 40% 2500 words
- Due date
19/05/2025 1:00 pm
Use of AI for creation of content is prohibited and might incur in academic misconduct. Please discuss with staff the use of AI for legitimate purposes prior the submission of the essay.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
Through the Safran video series you had the opportunity to observe an experienced psychoanalytic therapist at work. Identify a segment of a session or of the therapeutic process that illustrates a key intervention or core feature of the therapist's approach (such as the interpretation of transference, for example). Propose an internal debate within the therapist about why he intervened the way he did. Explain in what ways this intervention might have been both useful and detrimental for the patient. Propose an alternative psychoanalytic intervention that could have been utilised by the therapist to address the same situation. Identify how this technical debate might influence your clinical practice.
You should be able to demonstrate sound application of psychoanalytic concepts in the development of this essay and include proper referencing.
Criteria & Marking:
- Identify a key segment of a session or the therapeutic process that contains one key intervention, or a series of interventions that reflect a core feature of the therapist's approach.
- Propose an internal debate within the therapist about why he intervened in this manner and at this point in time.
- Analyse in what ways this/these interventions seemed useful or not for the patient.
- Articulate one alternative psychoanalytic intervention that could have been utilised by the therapist in that situation.
- Identify any ways in which the chosen segment has influenced your own clinical practice.
- Apply pertinent psychoanalytic concepts to develop this analysis and discussion, including appropriate referencing.
- Sentences are clear and grammatically sound, using well-chosen and correctly spelt vocabulary; referencing and citation format is standard and the number of words (excluding references) is within +/- 10% of the specified limit. Text well organised and good visual layout.
Submission guidelines
Submission is via Turnitin in the link provided in the Learn.UQ (Blackboard) site
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Please find information about applying for an assessment extension here.
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) | 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; 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% |
| 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% |
| 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
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.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 (24 Feb - 02 Mar) |
Tutorial |
T1: Introduction Introduction to the course, contents, activities and assessment instances. Respond start competence survey. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 2 (03 Mar - 09 Mar) |
Workshop |
Workshops 1 & 2 8:30 - 12: Introduction to Psychoanalysis (w Jaime Yasky) Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 3 (10 Mar - 16 Mar) |
Tutorial |
T2: The initial phase, engagement and assessment This tutorial discusses the goal and the how to proceed with the initial assessment and engagement phase of therapy that ends with a formulation and treatment indication. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 4 (17 Mar - 23 Mar) |
Tutorial |
T3: The psychoanalytic process This tutorial addresses how to conduct the therapeutic process, with emphasis on management of transference - countertransference dynamics. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 5 (24 Mar - 30 Mar) |
Tutorial |
T4: Analysing the psychoanalytic process 1 Analyse and discuss video of Safran's series - session 1 brief psychoanalytic treatment. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 6 (31 Mar - 06 Apr) |
Tutorial |
T5: Analysing the psychoanalytic process 2 Analyse and discuss video of Safran's series - session 2 brief psychoanalytic treatment. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 7 (07 Apr - 13 Apr) |
Tutorial |
T6: Analysing the psychoanalytic process 3 Analyse and discuss video of Safran's series - session 3 brief psychoanalytic treatment. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 8 (14 Apr - 20 Apr) |
Tutorial |
T7: Analysing the psychoanalytic process 4 Analyse and discuss video of Safran's series - session 4 brief psychoanalytic treatment. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Mid-sem break (21 Apr - 27 Apr) |
Tutorial |
Mid-semester break |
Week 9 (28 Apr - 04 May) |
Tutorial |
T8: Analysing the psychoanalytic process 5 Analyse and discuss video of Safran's series - session 5 brief psychoanalytic treatment. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 10 (05 May - 11 May) |
Tutorial |
T9: Analysing the psychoanalytic process 6 Analyse and discuss video of Safran's series - session 6 brief psychoanalytic treatment. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 11 (12 May - 18 May) |
Tutorial |
T10: Afterthoughts & outlining essay This tutorial with discuss the Safran time limited therapy series and you will propose and discuss an outline of your essay. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 12 (19 May - 25 May) |
Tutorial |
T11: Skill application in practice You will present a short clinical vignette from your own clinical practice and lead a discussion about the application of one psychoanalytic skill in such intervention. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 13 (26 May - 01 Jun) |
Tutorial |
T12: Skill application in practice You will present a short clinical vignette from your own clinical practice and lead a discussion about the application of one psychoanalytic skill in such intervention. Respond end competence survey. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, 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.