UWA Handbook 2025

Unit Overview

Description

This unit has three broad aims: (1) to introduce the scientist-practitioner model of clinical practice and to examine the research base for psychotherapy; (2) to examine the nature of psychotherapeutic process and the therapeutic relationship; and (3) to examine the historical, philosophical and theoretical bases of the cognitive behavioural therapies. The unit starts with a general introduction to psychotherapy, including discussion of topics such as the history and evolution of psychotherapy, the therapeutic relationship, non-specific factors in psychotherapy, the public image of psychotherapy, common elements of psychotherapy, the process of change, evaluation of psychotherapy and empirically supported therapies. This is followed by an introduction to the theory and application of cognitive behavioural therapies. Topics discussed include basic tenets and historical antecedents of cognitive behavioural therapies; information processing and emotional dysfunction; attribution theory and emotional dysfunction; interaction between cognition, affect, physiology and behaviour; assessment of cognition; theory and practice of Rational Emotive Therapy; theory and practice of Beck's Cognitive Therapy; schema theory; and cognitive therapy.

Credit

6 points

Offering
(see Timetable)

Availability	Location	Mode
Semester 1	UWA (Perth)	Face to face

Outcomes

Students are able to (1) understand and communicate (orally and in writing the complexity of psychotherapeutic research, and critically evaluate how this informs practice in the discipline across the lifespan and with diverse clients; (2) evaluate the evidence base for different models and interventions of psychotherapy, and communicate (orally and in writing) how this applies to practice with diverse clients across the lifespan.; (3) reflect on and communicate (in writing) how examining the evidence base for psychotherapy models and interventions relates to evaluation of one's own future practice, such as identifying areas for improvement and implementing indicated changes; (4) understand the complex interplay between technique and process in psychotherapy, and the key elements of effective therapeutic relationships.; (5) develop an awareness of the evolution of cognitive behavioural therapies and understand the broad theoretical base of contemporary cognitive behavioural interventions; and (6) gain exposure to, and practice in, rudimentary behavioural and cognitive interventions.

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) assignment 1; (2) assignment 2; (3) assignment 3; and (4) attendance. 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 attendance component.

Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Unit Coordinator(s)

Associate Professor Rodrigo Becerra

Unit rules

Prerequisites

Enrolment in

01890/54590 Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Clinical Neuropsychology (ID 30)
or 01870/54570 Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Clinical Psychology (ID 233)
or 53370 Graduate Diploma in Clinical Psychology (ID 392)

Co-requisites

Unit(s) PSYC5673 Foundations in Clinical Skills II (ID 3854)

Contact hours

3h/12 weeks (attendance is compulsory)

Note

Students enrolled in an APAC accredited program must hold provisional registration as a psychologist. It is the students' responsibility to ensure registration eligibility. Enrolled students are also responsible for maintaining provisional registration for the duration of their enrolment in the program.