CPS5004 Psychodynamic assessment of children and adolescents
Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
CPS5004 Psychodynamic assessment of children and adolescents is a level 5, 6-credit-point, postgraduate unit from the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, offered in 2026 in Semester 2 at Clayton. It has no prerequisites and unlocks 4 units.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2026
- Semester 2
- Clayton
- Assessment
- No exam
- 5 tasks
This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before CPS5004
No prerequisites or corequisites besides the enrolment rules below.
After CPS5004
4 units list CPS5004 as a prerequisite or corequisite.
Enrolment rules
Prerequisites: CPS5001 (DCP0001) and CPS5002 (DCP0002)
Corequisite: Must be enrolled in course code M6022
Overview
This unit is designed to present an introduction to the conceptual framework and guidelines for the methodology of the psycho-dynamic assessment of psychological disturbance in children and adolescents. It will introduce you to disturbances in normal psychological development and the clinical concepts of assessment that are based on psychodynamic and developmental principles.
It will consider interviewing and observational methods with children and adolescents that enable psychological data to be collected and understood. It will also demonstrate the complex task of integrating information from several different sources to provide a diagnostic assessment of the individual nature and degree of disturbance presented, and the extent to which that interferes with the child's normal development and functioning.
Offerings in 2026
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Second semester | Clayton | Flx blk |
Assessment
- On-campus Workshop / Alternative AssessmentDemonstration20%
- Report AWritten10%
- Report BWritten10%
- Report CWritten20%
- EssayWritten40%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Analyse and discuss the link between psychodynamic theory and developmental concepts relevant to the assessment of children and adolescents;
- 2
Identify and apply concepts to interpret the meaning of the child's/adolescent's behaviour;
- 3
Recognise and interpret the process occurring between child and clinician and analyse the data this provides;
- 4
Examine and justify how the assessment process leads to a psychodynamic and developmental diagnostic formulation;
- 5
Identify and evaluate features of optimal case management. That accounts for the indications or contra-indications for child psychotherapy and other treatment options.
Workload and teaching
- Tutorials9 hours
In this unit there will be 12 hours of teaching and learning activities per week comprising a mix of teacher-directed and self-directed learning, including readings, video resources, online discussions, interactive tutorials, a reflective journal, and written assessments. In addition, you will attend and participate in the half day weekend workshop.
Learning resources
Recommended resources
See Moodle for details about required resources.
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Ms Sarah Anderson
- Unit Coordinators
- Ms Sarah Anderson
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for CPS5004?
CPS5004 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.
What can I take after CPS5004?
CPS5004 is a prerequisite or corequisite for 4 units, including CPS5005, CPS5006, CPS5007 and CPS5008.
When is CPS5004 offered?
In 2026, CPS5004 runs in Semester 2 at Clayton.
Does CPS5004 have an exam?
No. CPS5004 has 5 assessment tasks and no exam.