Child Dev.Issues & Treatment Approaches

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2011:

Completion of APAC approved psychology studies to fourth-year (Honours) level.

For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.

The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements, Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

This subject builds on Child Assessment and Treatment (512-924), providing the opportunity for students to develop an advanced understanding of a range of clinical and professional issues encountered by clinicians working with children, adolescents and families. Systemic approaches to working with children and adolescents will be discussed - for example, working with family systems (including an introduction to the major schools of family therapy), working with school systems, and working with healthcare and welfare systems. Key issues faced by clinicians working with adolescents will be examined, including engagement, confidentiality, risk-taking, depression, personality disorders, self harm, suicide, and substance use. Other topics covered include the use of psychotropic medication with children and adolescents, group intervention approaches, and infant mental health.

(1) For students to develop an understanding of the child/adolescent clinical psychologist’s role in working with family systems, school systems, and other systems

(2) For students to develop an understanding of important issues faced when working clinically with adolescents

(3) For students to develop an advanced understanding of a range of other clinical and professional issues encountered by clinical psychologists when working with children, adolescents and families

1. In-class tests (30% of assessment). Students will be required to complete two brief in-class tests – one around mid-semester and one towards the end of semester. These will assess their knowledge and understanding of the lecture content.

2. Assessment and Treatment Plan - 2000 words (70% of assessment). Students will be required to develop a case formulation and an assessment and treatment plan based on case material that will be provided in class. Students will be expected to use their lecture material and to draw upon relevant literature to highlight the theoretical underpinnings of their formulation and of their approach to assessment and intervention.

Note:

(1) Reading pack, available at the start of the lecture series

(2) Mash, E.J., & Barkley, R.A. (2006) (Eds). Treatment of Childhood Disorders (3 rd Ed.). New York: Guildford Press.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

To introduce students to systemic approaches to working with a young person and the family system in an age and stage sensitive way addressing the major marital and family issues that impact upon children and adolescents. The program will also assist in developing an understanding of the major problems faced by clinicians working with children, adolescents and their families. As such, the range of clinical and professional issues addressed will include the use of psychotropic medication, risk-taking behaviours.