Contemporary psychological practice

The aim of this unit is to prepare you for professional psychological practice through orientation to contemporary practice issues, critical appraisal of professional challenges, and self-reflection. The unit is designed to complement and extend the learnings from Professional Experience in Psychology. You will be supported to complete the required number of hours for your fifth year of psychology training and invited to self-reflect on your professional functioning in a range of practice scenarios. Professional experience hours will be completed through various activities including skills training in class, professional development seminars, and approved professional experience activities through the university's clinic. Although some field professional experience activities may be undertaken, the emphasis in the fifth year of training is preparation for practice. Challenges and complexities relating to contemporary psychological practice will be explored, including record keeping, note taking, report writing, operating under funded schemes (e.g., Medicare), diverse clients, and practicing in different settings. You will be equipped with best-practice industry knowledge relating to practice resources, professional standards and employment opportunities. Skills to critically analyse competing approaches to practice, reflect on developing professional capacity, and integrate new understandings into professional work will be developed. Professional readiness includes demonstrated competence in interviewing and assessment skills, capacity for accurate self-assessment of current level of professional development against the eight core competencies outlined by the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA), awareness of the nature of psychological practice, and ability to work under supervision. In this unit, your development will be supported by professional experience staff and/or supervisors.