Unit Overview
- Description
This unit examines advanced approaches to managing complex psychological presentations in clinical practice. Students explore the integration of assessment findings, cultural and contextual factors, and psychosocial stressors, and evaluate how these inform comprehensive case formulation and treatment planning. Key themes include the selection and tailoring of evidence-based interventions for severe and comorbid disorders, the monitoring of outcomes, and the adaptation of treatment plans to evolving clinical dynamics. Students are given the opportunity to develop foundational literacy in psychopharmacology and to consider its role in treatment planning and collaboration with prescribers. Through case-based learning, students also develop skills in interprofessional consultation and referral processes to support coordinated care. The unit prepares graduates to apply advanced psychological knowledge effectively in diverse contexts with clients experiencing complex and chronic presentations.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
Availability Location Mode First year of offer Not available in 2026 UWA (Perth) On-campus - Outcomes
Students are able to (1) understand and apply international classification systems (DSM, ICD) for serious and complex presentations; (2) select and interpret appropriate assessment tools to conceptualise severe and complex psychological disorders, integrating collateral and information from other health professionals; (3) select, tailor, and explain evidence-based psychological interventions for clients with complex presentations, adapting approaches for context where appropriate; (4) demonstrate understanding of and effective referral planning with other health professionals to support coordinated care for clients with complex mental health needs; and (5) explain indications, mechanisms, side effects, and interactions of psychotropic medications, and interpret how pharmacotherapy influences psychological intervention planning.
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) presentation; (2) case study; and (3) test. Further information is available in the unit outline.
Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Unit Coordinator(s)
- Assoc Prof Rodrigo Becerra
- Unit rules
- Contact hours
- 36 hours (3-hour weekly workshops x 12)
- Note
- No textbook is required.
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
- Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.