UWA Handbook 2026

Unit Overview

Description

This unit is the first practical placement unit in the Clinical Neuropsychology program and includes a variety of either internal or external placement experiences, or both, completed over the course of a non-standard teaching period (e.g. teaching period P6: 10 months—March through to December). The unit includes a preparation for placement component within the Robin Winkler Clinic identical to that provided in PSYC5678 Practicum I (formerly PSYC8678 Practicum I). There is also a 'risk aware' module which provides training in clinical risk awareness and management.

Students, in consultation with the placement coordinator, choose a variety of assessment and intervention experiences within the internal clinic, and/or external clinical neuropsychological experiences. These experiences allow students an opportunity to work with children, adults and older adults across a range of settings, including an internal neuropsychology community clinic.

Trainees are able to build basic clinical skills (including interviewing and interventions) as well as skills and experience in psychological and neuropsychological test selection, scoring, interpretation and communication of results during feedback sessions and case conferences, and report writing.

Credit

6 points

Offering
(see Timetable)

Availability	Location	Mode
Non-standard teaching period	UWA (Perth)	On-campus

Outcomes

Students are able to (1) apply evidence-informed, scientific, and culturally responsive methods to conduct comprehensive neuropsychological assessment and case formulation—integrating information from interviews, risk assessments, prior records, behavioural observations, collateral and functional data, and psychometrically sound testing (including symptom validity measures)—to make accurate diagnoses and guide appropriate intervention and risk-management decisions for clients from diverse backgrounds (e.g., age, culture, gender, neurodiversity, etc).; (2) apply knowledge of neuroanatomy, neuropathology and disease processes, brain-behaviour relationships, theories of cognitive neuroscience, and psychopharmacology to neuropsychological practice; (3) implement setting-specific professional practice policies and procedures including professional and socio-culturally responsive written and oral communication with clients and colleagues regarding findings and recommendations.; and (4) demonstrate effective and respectful professional interactions with colleagues, peers, and supervisors; consulting with supervisors and other professionals when appropriate..

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) supervisor placement evaluation reports (paediatric and adult rotations), quizzes, risk assessment role plays, electronic logbook of practicum activities, long and short case reports; (2) active and professional participation and attendance (clinic meetings and case conferences, supervision, seminars/workshops, client assessments/feedbacks, modules); delivery of case presentations; and (3) compliance with clinic administrative requirements as per professional codes and guidelines (i.e., completion of neuropsychological assessment reports and session/progress notes; active management of client records and appointments).. Further information is available in the unit outline.

To pass this unit, a student must: (a) achieve an overall mark of 50 per cent or higher for the unit; and (b) achieve the requisite requirements(s) or a mark of 50 per cent or greater, whichever is higher and specified in the unit outline, for the supervisor placement evaluation reports (Paediatric and Adult rotations), online quizzes and electronic logbook of practicum activities, active participation and attendance (clinic meetings and case conferences, supervision, seminars/workshops, client assessments/feedbacks, intervention modules); delivery of case presentations, and completion of Neuropsychological assessment reports; casebooks and logbooks; client files and progress notes; ability to comply with administrative requirements as per professional guidelines components.

This unit is assessed on an ungraded pass/ungraded failed basis. All assessment items must be successfully completed.

Supplementary assessment is not available in this unit.

Unit Coordinator(s)

Dr Di Harvey and Dr Serena Cribb

Unit rules

Prerequisites

Enrolment in

01890/54590 Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Clinical Neuropsychology
or 53390 Graduate Diploma in Clinical Neuropsychology

and Successful completion of

two Unit(s) PSYC5672 Foundations in Clinical Skills I Unit(s) PSYC5673 Foundations in Clinical Skills II

Contact hours

Minimum 400 hours (including observation, supervision, supervised clinical work and case presentations), of which 160 direct client contact. A record of signed hours and activities must be kept using the electronic logbook system and submitted at the end of semester.

Note

Students enrolled in an APAC accredited program must hold provisional registration as a psychologist and a valid Working with Children Check (WWCC). It is the students' responsibility to ensure registration eligibility. Enrolled students are also responsible for maintaining provisional registration and WWCC for the duration of their enrolment in the program, and renewals need to be submitted well ahead of time to prevent lapses.