Overview

This unit is designed to provide advanced critical appreciation of theoretical and phenomenological models of psychopathology in adults. A further aim is for students to be able to apply this knowledge in assessment, diagnosis and formulation in a range of clinical settings and across a range of client presentations.

Requisites

Prerequisites

Admission into DR-CFPSY Doctor of Psychology (Clinical and Forensic Psychology)

Equivalent units
PSY60001 Adult Psychopathology
Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
04-August-2025
02-November-2025
Last self-enrolment date
17-August-2025
Census date
31-August-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
19-September-2025
Results released date
09-December-2025

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Integrate theoretical and phenomenological models of psychopathology in adults
  • Critically evaluate major taxonomies in psychopathology and their clinical application in a range of settings
  • Apply advanced diagnostic and assessment skills

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Activity Type Activity Total Hours Number of Weeks Hours Per Week
On-campus Class 24 12 weeks 2
On-campus Class 6 2 weeks 3
On-campus Class 12 12 weeks 1
Unspecified Activities Independent Learning 60 12 weeks 5
Specified Activities Various 48 12 weeks 4
Total Hours: 150 Total Hours (per week): 15

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
Essay Individual  40%  1,2,3 
Practical Skills Examination Individual  50%  1,3
Report Individual  10%  1,2 

Content

  • Critical analysis of diagnostic systems
  • Overview of a range of psychopathology presentations, their aetiology and course, including but not limited to:
    • Mood and anxiety disorders
    • Psychotic disorders
    • Eating disorders
    • Substance use
    • Trauma-related disorders
    • Personality disorders
    • Obsessive-compulsive and related disorders
    • Graduate Attribute 1 (Communication 1 - Verbal Communication)
    • Graduate Attribute 2 (Communication 2 - Communicating using different media)
    • Graduate Attribute 6 (Digital Literacies 2 - Technical literacy)

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.