Key facts

UNE unit code: PSYC529

*You are viewing the 2026 version of this unit which may be subject to change in future.

Start
  • Trimester 2 - Online
24/7 online support
  • Yes
Intensive schools
  • Yes
Supervised exam
  • No
Credit points
  • 6

Unit information

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Gain advanced training in psychological assessment and intervention with children and young people experiencing mental health difficulties.

Studying this unit, you will build on your skills and knowledge developed in PSYC504, PSYCH505 and PSC507. Your focus will be assessment, formulation, diagnosis and management of neurodevelopmental disorders, as well as a range of interventions for complex psychological problems typically presenting in childhood and adolescence.

Drawing on the developmental systems approach, you will learn to formulate complex presentations whilst taking account of systemic and contextual factors. The unit will also help to strengthen your ability to appropriately consult and collaborate with other professionals to manage complex client presentations.

Introducing you to leading evidence-based assessment and treatment approaches for young people, you will also learn strategies to work with families and systems to optimise therapeutic outcomes.

Offerings

For further information about UNE's teaching periods, please go to Principal Dates.

Teaching period
Mode/location
Trimester 2Online

*Offering is subject to availability

Intensive schools

StartFinishDurationAttendanceOfferingsNotes
TBATBA3 DaysMandatory Intensive SchoolAll offerings Mandatory 3 day online intensive school.

Enrolment rules

Pre-requisites
Candidature in MPSYCH or PhD(ClinPsych) and PSYC503 and PSYC504 and PSYC505 and PSYC506 and PSYC516; or candidature in MPSYAE
Co-requisites
Candidature in MPSYCH or PhD(ClinPsych) only: (PSYC507) and (PSYC513 or PSYC514 or PSYC533)

Notes

Please refer to the student handbook for current details on this unit.

Unit coordinator(s)

profile photo of Warren Bartik
Warren BartikAssociate Professor in Clinical Psychology - Faculty of Medicine and Health; School of Psychology

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. demonstrate understanding of psychological theories of the aetiology and course of specific disorders commonly presenting in young people;
  2. demonstrate ability to formulate psychological disorders within a developmental systems model in order to inform diagnosis and intervention;
  3. demonstrate competence in culturally responsive methods for assessing complex and enduring psychological disorders commonly presenting in childhood and adolescence, with reference to the relevant international taxonomies of classification;
  4. select, tailor and implement culturally responsive evidence-based interventions based on an initial case formulation, with individuals, dyads or families as appropriate;
  5. monitor treatment progress and outcomes and modify approach based on evolving case formulation; and
  6. demonstrate understanding of the roles of other professionals involved with children and young people (GP, school, health services) and collaborate with other professionals as appropriate in the management of complex cases.

Assessment information

Assessments are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.

TitleMust CompleteWeightOfferingsAssessment Notes
Essay in 4 partsYes50%All offerings

Mandatory to pass each Essay Part - each of 4 parts has word count of 750 words.

It is mandatory to pass this assessment task in order to pass this unit.

No. Words: 3000

OSCE and Reflection Assignment - Assurance TaskYes50%All offerings

OSCE of 30 mins and Reflection Exercise

It is mandatory to pass this assessment task in order to pass this unit.

No. Words: 3000

Learning resources

Textbooks are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.

Note: Students are expected to purchase prescribed material. Please note that textbook requirements may vary from one teaching period to the next.

Clinical Handbook of Psychological Disorders in Children and Adolescents : A Step-By-Step Treatment Manual

ISBN: 9781462540297

Flessner, C.A., and Piacentini, J.C., The Guilford Press 2019

Text refers to: All offerings

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