Special Topics in Psychology

We have curated a collection of stand-alone e-seminars on key areas for professional development, prepared by guest presenters, who share their knowledge and experience on special issues in psychology. Once purchased you will gain immediate and unlimited access to the e-seminar, as well as accompanying downloadable resources, aimed to enhance your learning experience and help you on your way to building your own therapist tool-box. 

The Initial Interview

Presenter: Susie Upton 

Professional Development Hours: 1 Hour (including video and handouts)

Description: In this e-seminar, you will learn more about conducting effective semi-structured initial interviews. We provide useful tips to assist you in building a strong therapeutic alliance with your adult and child clients while collecting necessary psychosocial information required for you to assess and formulate their presenting issues. You will receive templates to assist you to develop your own intake processes.  


Case Formulation 

Presenter: Susie Upton 

Professional Development Hours: 1 Hour (including video and handouts)

Description: In this week's professional development e-seminar, Susie discusses the primary components of case formulation. An overview is provided about the theoretical underpinnings of case formulation including the different approaches. Finally, Susie talks through how to collaboratively conceptualise clients presenting issues in practice and use your formulation to guide treatment planning. Case study examples are provided demonstrating case formulation in practice.


Treatment Planning 

Presenter: Susie Upton 

Professional Development Hours: 1 Hour (including video and handouts)

Description: In this professional development e-seminar Susie discusses issues pertaining to treatment planning. Susie provides an overview of key ethical considerations for treatment planning as well as ideas for incorporating diagnostic assessments and symptom screening to assist in informing the selection and delivery of evidence-based therapies.  Finally, Susie provides examples of how to structure your sessions and how to plan for treatment termination and relapse prevention.


Case Reports 

Professional Development Hours: 60 minutes and 60 minutes (includes video content and downloadable readings for completion)

Presenter: Susie Upton 

Description: In this week's professional development e-seminar we will learn more the case reports you are required to do as part of your 4+2 and 5+1 registration program. Susie comprehensively discusses each section of the assessment and intervention case reports and provides her top tips on what the PsyBA are looking for based on her extensive experience reviewing the work of her supervisees. The information provided has been designed to complement the information in the relevant AHPRA guidelines which are conveniently attached as downloadable resources. 

We have also developed a 25-page e-Handbook to accompany this e-seminar which provides detailed information about the criteria for each case report, tips for what to include under each heading, as well as completed examples of the intervention and assessment case reports. 


Working with Children at Risk of Harm 

Presenter: Fanoula Tsakrios

Professional Development Hours: 6.25 hours (including videos and handouts)

Description: This e-seminar series aims to provide practical information and skills to enhance your practice in working with children and adolescents at risk of harm (e.g. sexual abuse, domestic violence). Fanoula draws on her experience and expertise in best practice intervention to discuss important topics including responding to disclosures, strategies for problem sexual behaviour and teaching protective behaviours. This series is suitable for students, provisional psychologists, psychologists, other allied health professionals and experienced professionals wanting to increase their skills in working with children, young people and families. 


Cognitive Assessments

Presenter: Katie Veretennikoff

Professional Development Hours: 250 minutes (including videos and handouts)

Description: Throughout this five-part series we will explore issues pertaining to cognitive assessments. Katie provides a comprehensive introduction to five major components of cognitive testing, including purpose and preparation of cognitive assessments, administering cognitive assessments, gathering qualitative observations and what to do when testing errors occur, as well as, interpreting cognitive profiles with special consideration to neurodevelopment disorders. 


Case Reports - e-Handbook

Description:  Access the 25-page e-Handbook.

This handbook was developed based on our Board Approved Supervisor's extensive experience reviewing the work of provisionally registered psychologists. It provides detailed information about the criteria for each case report, tips for what to include under each heading, as well as completed examples of the intervention and assessment case reports. 

This e-Handbook is included with the Case Report Professional Development module (detailed above) but we have made it available to purchase separately.


Risk Assessment and Management

Professional Development Hours: 1 hour and 45 minutes (includes video content and downloadable readings for completion)

Presenter: Vanessa Allen 

Content Overview: In this professional development e-seminar we will learn more about risk assessment and management. We discuss considerations pertaining to the latest research about suicide risk assessment and management strategies. We then guide you step-by-step in conducting a risk assessment, developing a coping plan and how to effectively collaborate with multidisciplinary professionals. Lastly, we cover ethical issues pertaining to risk assessment and provide you with links to resources to assist you in developing your risk assessment skills.