Unit of Study MHNS6001 Developing Skills in Contemporary Psychotherapies (2025)

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Unit Snapshot

Unit type

PG Coursework Unit
Credit points

12
Faculty & College

Faculty of Health
Placement

No

Unit description

Develops an understanding of common factors in psychotherapy and how these may be usefully employed in mental health practice settings. Develops knowledge and capabilities in evidenced based psychotherapeutic practices including the application of focused psychological strategies for people experiencing high prevalence mental health problems. Develops case formulations based on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) theory and plans and can delivery basic CBT informed interventions. Understands, utilises and recommends mindfulness practices appropriately to enhance health and wellbeing.

Unit content

Core therapeutic skills
Common factors in psychotherapy outcome research
The therapeutic alliance and key components
Mindfulness, its purpose and application in a range of settings
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) theory and formulation
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy theory (DBT) practices and principles
Schema therapy its basic principles
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) theory and practices
The application of focused psychological strategies for high prevalence mental health problems

Availabilities

Location	Domestic	International
SCU Online	Term2	Term2

Learning outcomes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

demonstrate a critical understanding of how common or nonspecific factors such as therapeutic rapport and alliance contribute to positive outcomes in mental health practice

critically describe the underpinning assumptions, theory and practice of mindfulness and cognitive behaviour therapy

compare and contrast compare common therapeutic models, approaches and schools of psychotherapy

apply focused psychological strategies and psychotherapy informed principles in the treatment of people with high prevalence mental health problems

Teaching and assessment

Teaching method

Structured online learning (6 wks)

Assessment
Essay	45%
Report	45%
Quiz	10%

Prescribed learning resources

Prescribed Texts

Prescribed text information is not currently available.

Prescribed Resources/Equipment

Prescribed resources/equipment information is not currently available.

Prescribed Learning Resources may change in future Teaching Periods.

Fee information

Domestic

Commonwealth Supported courses
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