B3082 - Methods in Clinical Psychology

Learning outcomes

Methods in clinical Psychology: 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 the following two modules of Clinical Psychology.

Module 1 by Professor Paola Surcinelli:

Theoretical definition of normal and abnormal functioning: mental state, cognitive functioning, emotional regulations strategies, personality styles.

Psychological testing in clinical psychology: applications, scoring procedures and interpretation of results of instruments assessing psychological symptoms, personality, attachment styles, coping strategies and emotion regulation.

Module 2 by Professor Danilo Carrozzino:

1) An introduction to psychological interviewing.

2) Attending and listening skills for psychological interviewing.

3) The use of questions for psychological interviewing.

4) Clinimetrics and Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs).

5) Clinimetric approach to psychological assessment of:

- Psychological distress.

- Demoralization.

- Mental Pain.

- Somatization.

- Psychological well-being.

Classes will be in-person and take place during the second semester (Academic Year 2025-2026), Cesena, Department of Psychology “Renzo Canestrari”, University of Bologna.

Readings/Bibliography

Module 1 by 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.

Module 2 by Professor Danilo Carrozzino

The following readings are mandatory:

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 1-3-4 that will be reviewed during classes.

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

Scientific articles and book chapters will be discussed and reviewed during classes to facilitate the co-construction of knowledge and to enhance critical thinking and the process of clinical reasoning.

Teaching methods

Module 1 by 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.

Module 2 by Professor Danilo Carrozzino:

Academic lectures will be combined with practical and discussion sessions.

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

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

Assessment methods

Module 1 by Professor Paola Surcinelli:

The final evaluation will consist of an oral examination. Students will complete an oral interview where they will answer questions about course contents. The acquired knowledge will be evaluated based on the extent to which answers are adequate and comprehensive. 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.

Module 2 by Professor Danilo Carrozzino:

A final exam, which consists of an interview, will be scheduled at the end of the course.

Students will complete an oral examination with questions about methods of clinical psychology.

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 books, notes and slides is not allowed during the exam.

Please note that the final grade will be determined based on the weighted average of marks obtained in the two modules of Methods in Clinical Psychology.

Teaching tools

Module 1 by Professor Paola Surcinelli:

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

For more details about Module 1 of Clinical Psychology by Professor Paola Surcinelli, please send an email to: paola.surcinelli3@unibo.it

Module 2 by Professor Danilo Carrozzino:

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

For further information regarding Module 2 of Clinical Psychology, please send an email to: danilo.carrozzino@unibo.it

UNIVERSITY SERVICE FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES AND SLD

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

Office hours

See the website of Danilo Carrozzino

See the website of Paola Surcinelli