UWA Handbook 2026

Unit Overview

Description

In this unit, students undertake the initial transition into professional psychology practice involving direct client work. Students explore the development of applied clinical competencies in supervised placement settings and evaluate how early professional practice is shaped by training requirements and service contexts. Key themes include the progression from observational learning to active client engagement, and the integration of assessment and intervention skills in real-world practice.

NOTE:

Given that APAC standards require students to demonstrate appropriate knowledge and skills for safe practice before providing psychological services, students must successfully complete all Semester 1 unit assessments to the satisfaction of the unit coordinator to commence and continue the PSYC5655 Internal Placement unit.

Credit

12 points

Offering

Availability	Location	Mode	First year of offer
Not available in 2026	UWA (Perth)	On-campus

Outcomes

Students are able to (1) apply evidence-informed, scientific and culturally responsive methods to assessment, diagnosis, case formulation, intervention, and evaluation for clients with diverse backgrounds (e.g., age, culture, gender, neurodiversity, etc); (2) implement setting specific professional practice policies and procedures, including culturally-responsive written and oral communication with clients and colleagues regarding findings and progress; (3) show effective and respectful professional interactions with colleagues, peers, and supervisors, consulting when appropriate; (4) show self-reflective practice and responsiveness to feedback, maintaining

professional and ethical conduct and decision making, including working within the boundaries of one's competence and managing psychosocial risks to safe practice; and (5) apply a biopsychosocial framework to understand the client's background, including consideration of diversity with respect to culture, age, and other factors (e.g. psychopharmacology).

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) placement evaluation reports and logbook and (2) active participation in clinic activities (clinic meetings, supervision, assessment/therapy sessions, assessment/intervention modules, including a case presentation. 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 placement evaluation reports and logbook and active participation in clinic activities (clinic meetings, supervision, assessment/therapy sessions, assessment/intervention modules, including a case presentation components.

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

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

Unit Coordinator(s)

Associate Professor Lisa Saulsman

Unit rules

Prerequisites

Enrolment in

70580 Master of Clinical Psychology

and Successful completion of

PSYC5570 Professional Psychology: CBT Skills
and PSYC5571 Professional Psychology: Psychological Assessment
and PSYC5575 Professional Psychology: Working with Children
and PSYC5658 Preparation for Placement
and unit coordinator`s approval

Contact hours

300-400 hrs placement

Note

NOTE:
Given that APAC standards require students to demonstrate appropriate knowledge and skills for safe practice before providing psychological services, students must successfully complete all Semester 1 unit assessments to the satisfaction of the unit coordinator to commence and continue the PSYC5655 Internal Placement unit.