Clinically speaking

In 2015, UTS will launch a new master’s degree in clinical psychology. Distinguished by a practice-integrated approach, the course will complement the evolving suite of Graduate School of Health programs. Students will gain professional experience in a state-of-the-art psychology clinic on campus, which will also deliver benefits to the wider UTS and local communities.

“The course will be grounded in the core skills and scientific knowledge of clinical psychology, but also give students extensive opportunities to apply the theory in practical and professional environments,” says Psychology Clinic Director Alice Shires.

Senior Lecturer John McAloon says, “Program integration brings clinical theory, research evidence and clinical skills together, including assessment, formulation, diagnosis and clinical practice.

“We aim to give students a coherent understanding of the range of clinical knowledge and skills so they’re able to apply them from day one in the workforce. And the clinic is obviously a big part of the practice.”

Students will complete half their practical training in the purpose-built UTS Psychology Clinic, which will open in the Thomas Street building. They will spend two days a week over two full semesters in the clinic before completing two external placements.

“The clinic allows students to see clients under very close supervision and with a lot of support,” says Shires. “So by the time they move to external placement, they feel confident and competent enough to take those skills out to more challenging arenas.”

As well as helping students “join the dots” as clinical practitioners, McAloon says it will provide a valuable service to UTS and the local community, offering relatively low-cost mental health treatment to the general public.

“The clinic is available to anyone who is referred to it, from very young children to older adults, with a range of mental health problems,” says Shires. “So that is the great challenge for me – to set that up.”

One of the strengths Shires and McAloon bring to the course is their shared expertise in child protection and assessing and treating the trauma that often results.

“Certainly something I think we need our courses to address is developing people to practice in public services where they are going to come across child protection. This is an area of clinical practice that has huge needs and I hope we are able to bring that awareness to the training,” says McAloon.

He emphasises the importance of scientific evidence informing the theory and practise in clinical psychology. “A degree like this is accredited and recognised by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council on the basis that it’s evidence-based and follows a science-practitioner model,” says McAloon.

In addition to the complex logistics of establishing the clinic, the team have been designing the specifics of the course to meet accreditation requirements, bringing on new staff and preparing to move into the new building before the end of the year.

 “We are all on track,” says Shires. “It’s exciting and challenging!”