Advanced Clinical Practice with Individuals and Family Intervention (SWK562)

SWK562 Advanced Clinical Practice with Individuals and Family Intervention presents the principles and concepts of clinical work, including factors that contribute to success in direct practice with individuals and families. Interventions for individuals using integrated models of practice and major theories of human behaviour – psychodynamic, humanistic, cognitive- behavioural and multicultural constructs – are covered. This course also contrasts major models of family assessment and treatment relevant to contemporary family systems. Special attention is given to the multi-systemic context and to engaging diverse families. Students will become proficient in using systemic theory to direct their choice of models for assessment and intervention with diverse families in a variety of practice settings. The family practice builds upon the theoretical framework of systems theory in combination with other theories including structural, narrative, solution-focused family therapy.

• Clinical practice for individual clients – counselling and psychotherapy
• Professional issues faced in counselling
• Engaging special populations (1) – working with offenders/ empowering people with disabilities
• Engaging special populations (2) – responding to people in crisis/ working with people with depression & anxiety
• Understanding couples and family relationship – family life cycle framework and family systems
• Family therapy models – Bowen family theory, Structural family therapy, Milan systemic family therapy
• Post modernism family therapy models - Narrative therapy and Solution focused therapy
• Couple therapy – Five languages of love, Gottman method couple therapy
• Therapist’s skills
• Interprofessional and collaborative practice
• Ethical practice, boundaries, and use of self
• Evaluation and reflective practice in clinical work

• Compare the various models of practice such as psychodynamic, humanistic, cognitive behavioural and multicultural approaches, when working with individuals.
• Compare the various theoretical models and techniques in helping diverse families.
• Examine and criticise each model of practice.
• Design differential assessment with a variety of client situations.
• Formulate interventions in social work situations with a diverse client population.
• Analyse appropriate ethics and research associated with clinical practice.