CPS5004 - Psychodynamic assessment of children and adolescents - 2018

This unit is designed to present an introduction to the conceptual framework and guidelines for the methodology of the psycho-dynamic assessment of psychological disturbance in children and adolescents. It will introduce students to disturbances in normal psychological development and the clinical concepts of assessment that are based on psychodynamic and developmental principles.

It will consider interviewing and observational methods with children and adolescents that enable psychological data to be collected and understood. It will also demonstrate the complex task of integrating information from several different sources to provide a diagnostic assessment of the individual nature and degree of disturbance presented, and the extent to which that interferes with the child's normal development and functioning.

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

1. Understand theoretical and clinical concepts relevant to psychodynamic and developmental assessment of children and adolescents;
2. Have an understanding of the possible meaning of the child's/adolescent's behaviour;
3. Recognise the process occurring between child and worker and the data this provides;
4. Recognise that assessment is a process that will provide a psychodynamic and developmental diagnostic formulation; and
5. Explore optimal case management where treatment options and timing are presented in light of the diagnostic formulation, the available professional and clinical resources, and the child/adolescent's context. This will include the indications or contra-indications for child psychotherapy and other treatment options.

• Report A (10%)
• Report B (10%)
• Report C (20%)
• Essay (40%)
• On-campus Workshop / Alternative Assessment (20%)

All assessments must be passed to pass the unit.

Two day on-campus workshop.

Psychology