National Psychology Exam (NPE) Prep Group
This group supervision program will cover the key areas that will be assessed in the National Psychology Exam (NPE).
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The NPE consists of examination across 4 specific knowledge domains:
Domain 1 Ethics
Domain 2 Assessment
Domain 3 Interventions
Domain 4 Communication
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Course Duration: 120 minute weekly group supervision sessions over 8 weeks
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Cost: $1200 upfront for group supervision.
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AHPRA internship accreditation: Our facilitator is a board approved supervisor and therefore completion of this group will account for 18 hours of secondary (group) supervision towards the 5+1 and 4+2 Provisional Registration Pathways.
Session Structure
The group supervision will be organised as a structured study support group. While each week will have a focus on certain areas of material the expectation will be that participants have completed the agreed reading prior to attendance and have prepared questions to raise in the group regarding that material. Practice exam questions will be provided pertainling to each weekly topic which will form the focus of discussion. The onus is on participants to complete their own study outside of these group meetings.
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Group process will focus on specific topics (see 'Weekly Program Structure' section below) in the following format each week:
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Q&A
Group discussion
Practice exam questions followed by discussion
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Weekly Program Structure
**Please note** the structure below was previously run in 12 x 90 min sessions. We are now covering the content in 8 x 120 min sessions however the content will all be covered.
Week 1
Understanding the exam requirements and developing a study plan
Review of previous learning from e.g. Making Ethics your Best Friend and Compliant Note Taking, clinical practice – What do you already know?
Identifying areas of ethical knowledge that require further attention and developing a reading list – What do you need to know?
Week 2
Knowledge discussion and practice questions – Domain 1 – Ethics.
Q&A, discussion and practice exam questions focused on:
privacy, freedom of information and maintenance of health records;
antidiscrimination and equal opportunity.
mental health care (e.g. involuntary treatment, informed consent); duty to protect (e.g. guardianship, firearms).
duty to report (e.g. child abuse, elder abuse, domestic violence, criminal acts, unsafe sexual practice, access to firearms, suicide risk).
Week 3
Knowledge discussion and practice questions – Domain 1 – Ethics.
Q&A, discussion and practice exam questions focused on:
children and adolescent issues (e.g. confidentiality, competency to consent on the Gillick mature minor principle);
access to compensation, including victims of crime, workers’ compensation and motor vehicle accident schemes, and insurance.
Legislation relevant to government funding sources such as disability services, Medicare and Veteran’s affairs, and;
Psycho-legal principles (e.g. expert witness code of conduct, guidelines, responding to a subpoena/summons, producing records).
Week 4
Knowledge discussion – domain 2 – Assessment:
Review of previous learning from Psychometric Assessment and Testing Group - What do you already know?
Identifying areas of knowledge that require further attention and developing a reading list – What do you need to know?
Audit of test knowledge regarding the following mandated tests:
WAIS
WISC
PAI
DASS
K10
SDQ
Week 5
Knowledge discussion and practice questions – domain 2 – Assessment:
Q&A, discussion and practice exam questions focused on:
Understanding regarding test selection, use, interpretation, acceptability and appropriateness requirements including:
the application and limitations of tests and their psychometric and normative basis, including test reliability, validity, utility and standardisation
the ability to identify and choose appropriate assessment instruments
cultural responsiveness in testing diverse groups
the ability to score tests and interpret results, and
understanding the limitations of computerised interpretive reports.
Understanding use and purpose of other intelligence scales, adaptive and educational assessments and memory tests.
Week 6
Knowledge discussion and practice questions – domain 2 – Assessment.
Q&A, discussion and practice exam questions focused on:
Understanding use and purpose of vocational, personality and clinical/mental health tests;
Understanding the application of a range of interview assessments;
Demonstrating knowledge of DSM definitions, diagnostic criteria to make a diagnosis particularly in relation to common psychological disorders.
Week 7
Knowledge discussion and practice questions – domain 3 – Interventions:
Q&A, discussion and practice exam questions focused on:
Review of previous learning from practice - What do you already know?
Identifying areas of knowledge that require further attention and developing a reading list – What do you need to know?
Understanding evidenced based counselling skills and their application;
Exploring therapeutic skills, techniques and interventions;
Discussing theories and models
Week 8
Knowledge discussion and practice questions – domain 3 – Intervention:
Q&A, discussion and practice exam questions focused on:
Knowledge of psychopharmacology, drug classification, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics;
Knowledge and application of specific therapeutic techniques:
Psycho-education;
Interpersonal and psychodynamic approaches;
Solution-focused techniques and motivational interviewing.
Week 9
Knowledge discussion and practice questions – domain 3 – Intervention:
Q&A, discussion and practice exam questions focused on:
Knowledge and application of specific therapeutic techniques:
Narrative therapy
Behaviour modification, exposure therapy, behavioural activation, etc
Skills training.
Evidence-based practice, including understanding of how to use research to inform delivery of assessment and interventions, generating evidence to evaluate practices, and understanding any limitations of evidence to inform practice.
Week 10
Knowledge discussion and practice questions – Domain 4 – Communication:
Review of previous learning from practice - What do you already know?
Identifying areas of knowledge that require further attention and developing a reading list – What do you need to know?
Review of record keeping procedures;
Review of report-writing techniques;
Review of referral procedures.
Week 11
Knowledge discussion and practice questions – Domain 4 – Communication
Q&A, discussion and practice exam questions focused on:
knowledge of methods to communicate to, and liaise with, professional groups (e.g. oral case review, conference presentations, writing for publication);
capacity to identify appropriate courses of action in response to unpredictable and complex events, including communication and consultation strategies;
skills in professional communication and ensuring appropriate working relationships with clients, professional colleagues and relevant others, including in online and internet-based modalities knowledge of and sensitivity to communication issues relevant to:
culture, including cultural responsiveness when working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples;
religious, social, ethnic, historical and political backgrounds and contexts;
gender and sexuality issues;
cognitive ability and sensory acuity;
linguistic abilities and preferred modes of communication;
service needs of different age groups;
service needs of vulnerable groups in society, and;
preferences of clients, their carers, partners and families where appropriate.
Week 12
Finalisation.
Review of practice exam outcome;
Identifying gaps and readiness for first attempt;
Preparing for what happens next:
If you pass, and;
If you fail.
Limited Places
At this stage we have only 2 groups running for the remainder of 2023
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Register your interest now in advance for 2023 to secure a spot by filling your details below.
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