C9162 - INTERVIEWING AND LISTENING SKILLS

Learning outcomes

The course will focus on the various strategies to conduct psychological evaluations in clinical psychology, from the use of specific questionnaires to the use of structured and semi-structured interviews. The students will learn basic techniques to differentiate normal vs abnormal functioning (psychopathology) with the applications of these evaluation strategies.

Course contents

The course will be articulated in two distinct modules.

Module 1 (Professor Danilo Carrozzino)

1) Introduction to psychological interviewing: basic conceptual and methodological requirements.

2) Attending and listening skills for psychological interviewing.

3) Person-Centred clinical interview: the creation of a relationship.

4) Psychological interviewing: the rational-emotive perspective.

5) Clinimetrics and Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) for psychological assessment in clinical psychology.

6) Clinimetric approach to the use of rating scales for psychological evaluations of:

• Subjective experiences of well-being.
  
• Psychological distress.
• Demoralization.
• Mental Pain.

7) Psychological interviewing for psychosomatic practice.

 

Module 2 (Professor Paola Surcinelli)

This module develops core interviewing and listening competencies grounded in clinical psychology and their application to psychological assessment. Students will acquire communication skills for conducting professional interviews, including the establishment of rapport, active and empathic listening, the use of open and focused questioning, and the observation of verbal and non-verbal behaviour. The course also addresses the management of the interview process, ethical and culturally sensitive communication, and the recognition of cognitive and interpersonal biases that may influence clinical judgment and assessment.

Readings/Bibliography

Module 1 (Professor Danilo Carrozzino)

The following readings are required to achieve expected learning outcomes:

1) Carrozzino, D., Christensen, K. S., Guiducci, S., Marangoni, A., Romanazzo, S., & Cosci, F. (2025). The assessment of psychological well-being in systemic sclerosis: a clinimetric validation. BMC Psychology, 13(1), 498.

2) Carrozzino, D., Patierno, C., Guidi, J., Montiel, C. B., Cao, J., Charlson, M. E., ... & Fava, G. A. (2021). Clinimetric criteria for patient-reported outcome measures. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 90(4), 222-232.

3) Carrozzino, D., Patierno, C., Pignolo, C., & Christensen, K. S. (2023). The concept of psychological distress and its assessment: A clinimetric analysis of the SCL-90-R. International Journal of Stress Management, 30(3), 235–248.

4) de Figueiredo, J. M. (1993). Depression and demoralization: Phenomenologic differences and research perspectives. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 34(5), 308–311

5) Fava, G. A., Cosci, F., & Sonino, N. (2017). Current psychosomatic practice. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 86(1), 13-30.

6) John Sommers-Flanagan & Rita Sommers-Flanagan: Clinical Interviewing, limited to chapters 1 and 3.

7) Meerwijk, E. L., & Weiss, S. J. (2011). Toward a unifying definition of psychological pain. Journal of Loss and Trauma, 16(5), 402–412.

8) Advances in REBT, limited to chapter 1: Early theories and practices of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy and how they have been augmented and revised during the last three decades.

Active participation is highly encouraged since scientific articles and book chapters will be carefully discussed and reviewed during classes to promote critical thinking and enhance clinical reasoning.

 

Module 2 (Professor Paola Surcinelli)

Mandatory readings:

Graham Davey. Psychopathology: Research, Assessment and Treatment in Clinical Psychology. III Ed.Wiley‐BPS Blackwell, [2021] | ISBN 9781119679189 (paperback) | ISBN 9781119679219 (adobe pdf) | ISBN 9781119679226 (epub)

Additional bibliographic references will be provided during classes.

Teaching methods

Module 1 (Professor Danilo Carrozzino)

Academic lectures and practical teaching methods to foster cognitive and emotional learning experiences.

Cooperative teaching methods will be adopted and include “learning by doing” (e.g., role-playing, workgroup activities, and video illustrations).

Class attendance and active participation are required since they are essential elements to achieve expected learning outcomes.

Classes will be in-person and take place during the second semester (Academic Year 2026-2027). Place: Cesena, Department of Psychology “Renzo Canestrari”.

 

Module 2 (Professor Paola Surcinelli)

Academic lectures with Power Point Presentation. Theoretical contents will be supported and integrated with group works, presentation and discussion of clinical cases, videos, and role-playing activities. Class attendance and active participation are required since they are essential elements to achieve expected learning outcomes.

Assessment methods

Module 1 (Professor Danilo Carrozzino)

The final exam is an interview.

Students will complete an oral exam with questions, which are concerned with psychological interviewing, listening skills, clinimetrics, patient-reported outcome measures, subjective well-being, psychological distress, demoralization, mental pain, and psychosomatics.

The acquired knowledge will be evaluated based on the extent to which answers are adequate and comprehensive.

Critical thinking and clinical reasoning will also be evaluated during the interview.

The highest score (i.e., 30 cum laude) will be assigned to students demonstrating not only an extensive knowledge of the topic but also the ability to provide an answer based on their critical thinking and clinical reasoning.

The use of artificial intelligence, books, notes and slides is not allowed during the final exam.

Grading criteria

- 18-19 Points: Basic preparation on a very limited number of topics covered in the course, with analytical skills developing primarily under the professor’s guidance. Language expression is overall correct.

- 20-24 Points: Preparation on a limited number of topics covered in the course, with independent analytical skills restricted to routine tasks. Language expression is correct.

- 25-29 Points: Preparation on a wide range of topics covered in the course, demonstrating the ability to make independent critical analyses and a mastery of specific terminology.

- 30-30L Points: Comprehensive preparation on the topics covered in the course, exhibiting the ability to make independent critical analyses and syntheses, full mastery of specific terminology, as well as the capability to argue and engage in self-reflection.

Please note that the final grade will be determined based on the weighted average of marks obtained in the two modules of Interviewing and Listening Skills.

 

Module 2 (Professor Paola Surcinelli)

The examination will consist of a written test composed of 15 multiple-choice questions (2 points for each correct answer) and 1 true/false question (1 point), for a total maximum score of 30 with honors (cum laude). The questions will be based on the material presented and discussed during lectures.

 

For students with disabilities (whether permanent or temporary), SLD, ADHD or other special educational needs related to learning disorders

To ensure equal learning opportunities, University services are available which offer support for students with disabilities and learning disorders, from the moment they are admitted to the University and throughout their studies.

This service addresses all students with disabilities (whether permanent or temporary), SLD, ADHD or other special educational needs related to learning disorders.

The Service supports all students experiencing a disadvantage such as to make them unable to avail fully of the educational, relational and personal growth opportunities offered by the University due to a disability, a learning disorder, a congenital or acquired pathology, or a temporary injury.

The guiding principle underlying the Service is to guarantee equal study opportunities for all, promoting the greatest possible degree of participation and autonomy of each student.

To request specific services and to apply for adaptations to teaching activities, students need to provide the Service with the certification attesting to their disability under Italian Law 104/92, and/or legal disability or SLD diagnosis under Italian Law 170/2010, or any other specialized documentation attesting to a particular pathology or disorder. They will then need to attend an introductory meeting with a member of the Service staff in order to provide more information on their particular needs and identify relevant measures and aids.

The Service can also provide support in assessing the advisability of applying for disability certification under Law 104 or diagnosis of a specific learning disorder as an opportunity to protect the student's rights and as a means of applying compensatory measures guaranteeing equal access to higher education and equal opportunities towards obtaining a degree.

For further information regarding the University Service for students with disabilities and SLD, please visit the following website:

https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en

Students with learning disorders and\or temporary or permanent disabilities can contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

Teaching tools

Module 1 (Professor Danilo Carrozzino)

PowerPoint presentations, scientific articles, book chapters, worksheets, and video illustrations will be used during classes.

For additional details about Module 1, please send an email to:

danilo.carrozzino@unibo.it

The study material will be uploaded online using the Unibo application (i.e., Virtuale).

Module 2 (Professor Paola Surcinelli)

PowerPoint presentations, scientific articles, video illustrations, and handouts.

For more details about Module 2, please send an email to:

paola.surcinelli3@unibo.it

Office hours

See the website of Danilo Carrozzino

See the website of Paola Surcinelli