Availabilities:

2024 unit offering information will be available in November 2023

Unit description

Develops an understanding of common factors in psychotherapy and how these may be usefully employed in mental health practice settings. Develops knowledge and capabilities in evidenced based psychotherapeutic practices including the application of focused psychological strategies for people experiencing high prevalence mental health problems. Develops case formulations based on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) theory and plans and can delivery basic CBT informed interventions. Understands, utilises and recommends mindfulness practices appropriately to enhance health and wellbeing. 

Unit content

  • Core therapeutic skills
  • Common factors in psychotherapy outcome research
  • The therapeutic alliance and key components
  • Mindfulness, its purpose and application in a range of settings
  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) theory and formulation
  • Dialectical Behaviour Therapy theory (DBT) practices and principles
  • Schema therapy its basic principles
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) theory and practices
  • The application of focused psychological strategies for high prevalence mental health problems

Learning outcomes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:
1demonstrate a critical understanding of how common or nonspecific factors such as therapeutic rapport and alliance contribute to positive outcomes in mental health practice
2critically describe the underpinning assumptions, theory and practice of mindfulness and cognitive behaviour therapy
3compare and contrast compare common therapeutic models, approaches and schools of psychotherapy
4apply focused psychological strategies and psychotherapy informed principles in the treatment of people with high prevalence mental health problems

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. demonstrate a critical understanding of how common or nonspecific factors such as therapeutic rapport and alliance contribute to positive outcomes in mental health practice
  2. critically describe the underpinning assumptions, theory and practice of mindfulness and cognitive behaviour therapy
  3. compare and contrast compare common therapeutic models, approaches and schools of psychotherapy
  4. apply focused psychological strategies and psychotherapy informed principles in the treatment of people with high prevalence mental health problems

Teaching and assessment

Notice

Intensive offerings may or may not be scheduled in every teaching period. Please refer to the timetable for further details.

Southern Cross University employs different teaching methods within units to provide students with the flexibility to choose the mode of learning that best suits them. SCU academics strive to use the latest approaches and, as a result, the learning modes and materials may change. The most current information regarding a unit will be provided to enrolled students at the beginning of the teaching period.

Fee information

Domestic

Commonwealth Supported courses
For information regarding Student Contribution Amounts please visit the Student Contribution Amounts.

Fee paying courses
For postgraduate or undergraduate full fee paying courses please check Domestic Postgraduate Fees OR Domestic Undergraduate Fees

International

Please check the international course and fee list to determine the relevant fees.

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