CQUniversity Unit Profile.

Purpose: Treatment manuals are used by psychologists to support the delivery of evidence-based interventions. When working with clients/patients in a Health Psychology context, psychologists are required to understand the impact of physical health challenges on mental health. Treatment manuals must consider the additional challenges that influence client presentation, treatment adherence, and recovery. In Assessment 1, you are required to develop a treatment manual that is appropriate for use in a Health Psychology context. This assessment is designed to develop your ability to apply biopsychosocial models of health and integrate research evidence into practical clinical tools.

Aim: For this assessment the treatment manual must:  

• Provide an overview of the selected issue, including aetiology and problem maintenance
• Describe relevant evidence-based therapeutic interventions
• Provide a rationale for the treatment protocol, including potential challenges and solutions
• Include appropriate therapist tools that supports the implementation of the treatment plan, demonstrating culturally responsive practice, including consideration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health contexts.
• Apply a biopsychosocial approach, including consideration of factors that may affect presentation, engagement, and treatment outcomes. This should include the impact of any medications that are commonly prescribed for the treatment of the chosen health condition. 

Format and style: References and formatting are to adhere to APA 7 standards and guidelines. All information provided must be supported by recent (published in the last 5 years), relevant, peer-reviewed literature.

The word limit for this assignment is between 1500-1750 words (excluding appendices).

AI use: The ethical use of Gen AI is approved at Level 2. AI Planning: You may use AI for planning, idea development and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas. For this assessment however caution is advised due to level of critical evaluation and analysis required for this assessment. Gen AI may not provide the level of accuracy, detail and understanding required for student success. A copy of the ALC guidelines for the ethical use of AI can be found on Moodle under the Assessment Tile.

This is a pass/fail assessment. You have to pass each of the six (6) components to pass this assessment. 

You will be assessed on: 

1. Quality and effectiveness of the evidence-based therapy plan, supported by current research.
2. Application of biopsychosocial understanding to the selected issue.
3. Strength of the treatment rationale, including potential challenges.
4. Appropriateness and relevance of therapist tools and support information.
5. Application of culturally responsive practice, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander contexts.
6. Quality of written communication, including APA 7, adherence to word count (1500 wds +/- 10%), accurate use of citations and referencing.

Motivational interviewing is a client-centred, evidence-based approach used to support behaviour change by helping clients explore and resolve ambivalence. It is often used to support clients who are experiencing chronic health conditions and can be implemented through telehealth services. In Assessment 2, you are required to demonstrate your motivational interviewing (MI) skills in a simulated telehealth context and critically reflect on your clinical practice.

For this assessment you will submit two (2) simulated telehealth sessions (20 - 30 minutes each) demonstrating Motivational Interviewing skills. You will take on the role of the therapist in the videos that you submit for this assessment. You will also take on the role as the client a student in the class. When you are in the role as the client, you will present as a client within a health psychology context. In your role as a therapist, you will demonstrate your ability to:

• apply the core principles of Motivational Interviewing;
• use specific Motivational Interviewing techniques to assist behavioural change;
• work with clients who experience ambivalence and resistance;
• adhere to therapeutic structure as it relates to Motivational Interviewing techniques (i.e., rapport building, agenda setting, checking in on homework, goal setting).   

In addition to the 2 (two) video submissions, you are required to submit a single reflection and critique (1000 words). This critical reflection requires you to identify your strengths, areas of improvement, and critically evaluate teleheatlh delivery for clients presenting within the same context as your simulated session. All aspects of this piece must use recent peer-reviewed literature. 

The first video will be due in Week 7. The second video and critical reflection will be due in Week 9. 

Format and style: two (2) x 20-30minute video recording (zoom), simulated telehealth session. References and formatting are to adhere to APA 7 standards and guidelines. The reflection and critique must be supported by recent (published in the last 5 years), relevant, peer-reviewed literature.

The video must be submitted via Echo360. 

The ethical use of Gen AI is approved at Level 2. AI Planning: You may use AI for planning, idea development and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas. For this assessment however caution is advised due to level of critical evaluation and analysis required for this assessment. Gen AI may not provide the level of accuracy, detail and understanding required for student success. Gen AI is not approved for the video component of this assessment (i.e., you personally must be seen demonstrating the skills assessed, not an avatar). A copy of the ALC guidelines for the ethical use of AI can be found on Moodle under the Assessment Tile.

This is a pass/fail assessment. You have to pass each of the five (5) components of the video criteria for both video submissions and each of the three (3) components of the reflective critique in order to pass this assessment. 

For the videos you will be assessed on:

• Demonstration of the core principals of Motivational Interviewing.
• Use of Motivational Interviewing techniques to assist behaviour change.
• Application of Motivational Interviewing techniques in response to ambivalence and resistance.
• Competency in following Motivational Interviewing session structure.
• Application of MI skills in a telehealth/digital context

For the reflective critique you will be assessed on:

• Depth of reflection and insight
• Quality of critical evaluation of telehealth
• Use of evidence-based literature

In Assessment 3, you are required to develop a prevention plan suitable for use by a clinical psychologist working in a health context and present this plan to a professional audience. This task is designed for you to understand the development and trajectory of health conditions and how clinical treatment can be used to prevent long-term health consequences. This task will require you to showcase your ability to communicate psychological knowledge effectively in an online delivery setting.

For this assessment, you will:

• Present an overview of the health issue, including aetiology and potential consequences (including mental health impacts and trajectory).
• Apply relevant theoretical frameworks within a biopsychosocial context including considerations for pharmacological factors.
• Design an evidence-based prevention plan, including consideration of digital or e-health strategies where appropriate.
• Provide a rationale and implementation considerations including potential challenges and solutions.
• Apply culturally responsive practice, including considerations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations and contexts.
• Use recent peer-reviewed literature.
• Present information in an engaging and professional manner. 

Style and Format: Your oral presentation will be presented live and supported by an engaging PowerPoint. All elements of the presentation must be supported by recent (published in the last 5 years), relevant, peer-reviewed literature.  

AI use: The ethical use of Gen AI is approved at Level 2. AI Planning: You may use AI for planning, idea development and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas. For this assessment however caution is advised due to level of critical evaluation and analysis required for this assessment. GenAI may not provide the level of accuracy, detail and understanding required for student success. Gen AI is not approved for the video component of this assessment (i.e., you personally must be seen demonstrating the skills assessed, not an avatar). A copy of the ALC guidelines for the ethical use of AI can be found on Moodle under the Assessment Tile.

The 72-hour grace period does not apply to this assessment. Due to the assessment style, extensions are not available for this assessment. 

This is a pass/fail assessment. You have to pass each of the seven (7) components in order to pass this assessment. 

• Understanding of the selected issue and its determinants
• Application of theoretical frameworks
• Quality and appropriateness of the prevention plan
• Strength of the rationale and consideration of challenges
• Application of culturally responsive practice, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander contexts
• Consideration of digital or e-health approaches
• Consideration of broader biopsychosocial factors (including pharmacological and multidisciplinary influences)
• Professional communication and audience engagement
• Integration of evidence-based literature