Macquarie University

Working with Special Populations - PSYP904

In this unit, students will be introduced to a range of presentations that pose special challenges for professional psychologists in terms of assessment and clinical management, including: indigenous and CALD clients; clients with psychosis; clients with alcohol and/or substance abuse problems; clients with intellectual disabilities; clients experiencing one or more forms of trauma; clients experiencing grief and loss; clients at risk of self-harm and/or suicidality; and clients seeking relationship counselling. The focus is on the unique challenges posed by these different presentations and on the approaches to assessment, counselling and clinical management most likely to be effective for each. Where appropriate, the use of additional therapeutic modalities (ie, additional to those covered in PSYP903 and PSYP905), such as the use of Emotion-Focused Therapy in couples counselling and Motivation Interviewing for substance abuse problems and eMental Health will be considered.