PSY5104 Cognitive and behavioural therapies: Processes and applications A
Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
PSY5104 Cognitive and behavioural therapies: Processes and applications A is a level 5, 6-credit-point, postgraduate unit from the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, offered in 2026 in Semester 1 at Notting Hill. It has no prerequisites and unlocks 4 units.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2026
- Semester 1
- Notting Hill
- Assessment
- No exam
- 3 tasks
- Workload
- 33 hours
- per semester
This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before PSY5104
Prohibitions
You can't enrol if you have passed any of these.
After PSY5104
4 units list PSY5104 as a prerequisite or corequisite.
Enrolment rules
Must be enrolled in M6046
Equivalent units
The same content under another code. Only one of them counts.
Overview
You will be trained in cognitive and behavioural interventions, motivational interviewing, and the delivery of psychological interventions more broadly. You will learn Beck’s cognitive model and use it to formulate the development and maintenance of psychological difficulties. You will be introduced to the process of assessment and measurement, and how to structure therapy.
Key therapeutic processes such as guided discovery, collaboration, and responding to emotional distress are highlighted. You will practise delivering core CBT interventions including cognitive restructuring, behavioural experiments, problem-solving and relaxation suitable for clients with cognitive impairment, depression, anger, and anxiety. Self-practice and self-reflection is used to deepen your understanding of these tools and techniques.
Offerings in 2026
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Notting Hill | On campus |
Assessment
- Skills demonstration and reflection: Guided discovery (500 words)DemonstrationCompetency hurdle-
- Skills demonstration: Reviewing homework (5 mins per student)DemonstrationCompetency hurdle-
- Skills demonstration and reflection: Sharing a formulation (20 min video, 500 word reflection)DemonstrationCompetency hurdle-
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
Explain the theoretical basis for cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) interventions and therapeutic processes
- 2
Formulate cognitive conceptualisations of psychological problems and CBT treatment plans that are responsive to a client’s goals and socio-cultural context
- 3
Apply CBT interventions, including the facilitation and review of between-session tasks, to a range of case presentations
- 4
Develop and maintain a strong therapeutic relationship with clients
- 5
Respond to emotional content with warmth and therapeutic curiosity
- 6
Engage in reflective practice of therapeutic style and skill development
Workload and teaching
- Workshops7 hours
- Seminars33 hours
Eleven seminars of three hours for a total of 33 hours.
Workshops of seven hours.
Preparation / self-directed study: One hour per week to prepare for or apply learning from the seminars and twelve hours preparation for assessment tasks.
Contacts
- Unit Coordinators
- Dr Erin Mckay
- Chief Examiners
- Associate Professor Katherine Lawrence
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for PSY5104?
PSY5104 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.
What can I take after PSY5104?
PSY5104 is a prerequisite or corequisite for 4 units, including PSY5109, PSY5205, PSY5206 and PSY5301.
When is PSY5104 offered?
In 2026, PSY5104 runs in Semester 1 at Notting Hill.
How much work is PSY5104?
The handbook expects about 33 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.
Does PSY5104 have an exam?
No. PSY5104 has 3 assessment tasks and no exam.