03084 - Clinical Psychology

Learning outcomes

After completing the course the student: - is able to master some of the key concepts such as troubles, disturbance or relational disorder in childhood, adolescence and adulthood; - he/she is able to understand the communicative meaning of psychopathological symptom; - he/she knows the theories and techniques of group management; - he/she is able to anticipate and manage possible aggressive, dependent and self-defeating behaviors, in an educational planning perspective; - he/she is able to familiarize and observe some of the dynamics of discomfort, and to early detect and report them in the integrated work with other professionals; - he/she has achieved communication skills that allow to address and manage the psychological problems of users exploiting the potential of the interview in the helping relationship; - he/she is able to drive relationship dynamics by conducting interviews and group work.

Course contents

Module 1 (Professor Bruno Baldaro)

Normality and pathology. Nosographic-descriptive and interpretative-explicative systems.

Paradigms in Clinical Psychology: assumptions and basic concepts of psychoanalytic, behavioral, cognitive, psychobiological and existential-humanistic paradigm. Sociocultural and family systems perspective.

Psychological treatments: The psychoanalytic therapies, cognitive and behavioral therapies, humanistic therapies, existential and family therapies.

 

Module 2 (Dr. Laura Sirri)

Psychological disorders: diagnostic criteria according to the DSM-5 and etiological hypotheses of mood disorders, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, sexual disorders, childhood and old age related disorders, personality disorders, substance-related disorders, and psychotic disorders.

The course (both module 1 and module 2) will take place during the first semester (from September to November 2017).

Readings/Bibliography

Hansell J. & Damour L.: Psicologia clinica. Bologna: Zanichelli,2008.

Teachers' notes available to students on the website of the course (“Teaching material” section of the Course Unit Page).

Teaching methods

Lectures with case exemplifications. Students’ active participation during lectures is encouraged.

Assessment methods

The course, even though organized in two modules, will produce a single final evaluation.

The final evaluation will last 2 hours and it consists in a written exam with 3 open-ended questions aimed to assess the student's knowledge regarding the topics discussed in class and included in the textbook and in the teachers'  notes available on the website of the course in the "Teaching material" section of both modules.

The student’s evaluation depends mostly on the detailed knowledge of the contents of the textbook and his/her ability to organize and integrate the information provided by both the textbook and the lectures.

Students will pass the final evaluation if they achieve an exam score between 18/30 and 30/30.

During the final examination the consultation of books, notes, computers and electronic communications devices and applications is not allowed.

In order to be admitted to the exam, students must register on the exam session on Almaesami considering the deadline. Students who are not able to register on Almaesami for technical reasons, should contact the teachers via e-mail before the deadline of the registration.

Teaching tools

Video-projector, PC. Lectures will make use of visual aids (PowerPoint) that allow students to view the main topics of each lesson.

Office hours

See the website of Laura Sirri

See the website of Bruno Baldaro