Unit of Study PSYC6001 Psychological Assessment and Psychopathology: Adults (2025)

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Unit Snapshot

Unit type

PG Coursework Unit
Credit points

12
Faculty & College

Faculty of Health
Placement

No

Unit description

Explores the classification and assessment of psychopathology and cognitive functioning in adults. Major diagnostic systems (e.g., DSM-5-TR) will be used together with psychometric knowledge to develop case formulations that can be used to inform appropriate treatment using a client-centred approach. A biopsychosocial model will be applied when conducting assessments and developing case formulations. The unit includes socio-culturally diverse conceptualizations and considerations in understanding and assessing mental health, including in Indigenous Australians.

Unit content

Assessment of commonly occurring psychopathology in adults
Theories regarding the aetiology and conceptualisation of adult psychopathology
Using diagnostic systems such as the DSM-5-TR and the biopsychosocial model
Assessing cognitive functioning in adults
Communicating assessment findings orally and in writing, including to the client and other health professionals

Availabilities

Location	Domestic	International
Online	Term2	N/A

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:

identify risk factors for the formation and maintenance of commonly diagnosed mental health diagnoses in adults, including risk of self-harm and differences in presentation in older adults

demonstrate standardised psychological test administration and interpretation based on psychometric principles and the needs of the client

demonstrate critical reasoning, reflective practice, ethical judgment and cultural sensitivity in forming diagnoses and case formulation for those with mental health diagnoses

demonstrate the ability to communicate the results of assessments and case formulations in writing and verbally to clients, families, health professionals and other stakeholders

Teaching and assessment

Teaching method

Tutorial 2 hours (Weekly)

Workshop 1 hour (Weekly)

Assessment
Case study	50%
Clinical skills	50%

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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