Advanced Psychological Assessment & Psychopathology (MPP503)

Advanced Skills in Psychological Assessment and Psychopathology (MPP503) builds on the knowledge gained in MPP502, with a focus on more complex areas of psychological assessment related to psychopathology through the lifespan. The unit provides students with a knowledge of assessment tools and approaches important both in diagnosis and measuring the impact of illness on functionality and quality of life. Students will be introduced to a range of disorders with a primary focus on assessment tools and diagnostic considerations related to the specific disorders. Reference to psychopharmacology and specific interventions for disorders are made with links back to those empirically based therapies covered in MPP504. The unit also provides students with skills and experience to communicate their findings to their clients and to other health professionals. The unit explores mental disorders within a biopsychosocial framework throughout, with consideration to the individual beyond the illness and as an active partner in the therapeutic process.