69992 - Psychological Therapy.

Learning outcomes

Students will learn specific and non-specific therapeutic factors of psychological interventions and treatment indications for mental disorders based on scientific evidence.

Course contents

The course will take place during the first semester (from October to November 2025) at the Department of Psychology, Cesena Campus.

1. Scientific approach to evaluation of psychotherapy: brief history.

2. Variables affecting treatment process and outcome.

3. Methodological aspects in psychotherapy research.

4. Evidence-based psychotherapeutic approaches for the treatment of major depressive disorder and bipolar spectrum disorders.

5. Evidence-based psychotherapeutic approaches for the treatment of panic disorder and agoraphobia, social anxiety and generalized anxiety disorders.

6. Evidence-based psychotherapeutic approaches for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Readings/Bibliography

Bibliografy (mandatory):

Fava GA, Grandi S, Rafanelli C (a cura di): Terapia psicologica. Centro Scientifico Editore, Torino, 2010.

Fava GA: Psicoterapia breve per il benessere psicologico. Raffaello Cortina, Milano, 2017.

Fava GA, Tomba E: Il panico. Nella trappola della paura. Il Mulino, Bologna, 2013.

Fava et al. Psychother Psychosom 2017;86:332-340.

Guidi et al. Psychother Psychosom 2018;87:276-284.

Cosci & Fava Psychother Psychosom 2013;82:20-34.

Fava & Guidi JAMA Psychiatry 2021;8(3):261-269.

Guidi & Fava Psychother Psychosom 2022;91:156–167.

Suggested readings:

Fava GA: Come sospendere i farmaci antidepressivi. Franco Angeli, Milano, 2022.

Fava GA: Uscire dalla sofferenza mentale. Tab, Roma, 2022.

Beck JS: Cognitive therapy: basics and beyond. Guilford, New York, 1995.

Beck AT, Emery G, Greenberg R: Anxiety disorders and phobias. A cognitive perspective. Basic Books, Cambridge, 1985.

Stuart S, Robertson M: Interpersonal psychotherapy. Arnold, London, 2003.

Williams M, Teasdale J, Segal ZV, Kabat-Zinn J, Linehan M: The mindful way through depression: freeing yourself from chronic unhappiness. Guilford Press, New York, 2007.

Teaching methods

Lectures with case exemplifications, discussions and classroom exercises. Course attendance plays a crucial role in both learning and assessment processes.

Students with learning disorders and\or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office 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.

Assessment methods

The final evaluation will consist in an ORAL exam.

The ORAL exam is aimed to assess the student's knowledge with regard to the topics included in the bibliography and/or covered during classes (specific and non-specific psychotherapeutic factors, principles of evidence-based psychotherapeutic approaches, evidence-based psychotherapeutic approaches for the treatment of mood and anxiety disorders).

The highest final mark (30/30, with honors), will reflect content comprehensiveness and accuracy, adequacy of clinical reasoning and articulation of the answers. The following criteria will be considered: content comprehensiveness and accuracy (0-16 points); adequacy of clinical reasoning (0-7 points); articulation (0-7 points). Marks will progressively decrease based on lack of information (i.e., inadequate knowledge of the literature), deficiencies in clinical reasoning, and/or inaccurate or off-topic answers. The minimum mark to achieve is 18/30. The final mark will be published and recorded in Almaesami.

There are no mid-term evaluations. Students should register for the exam by using Almaesami. Student's identification through an ID document will be required during the oral exam.

Teaching tools

PC, videoprojector, audiovisual material

Office hours

See the website of Jenny Guidi