SUBJECT

Title

Clinical Psychology Practical

Code

PSYB17 - 138

Type of instruction

practical

Level

Bachelor

Part of degree program
Credits

5

Recommended in

Semester 5, 6

Typically offered in

Autumn/Spring semester

Course description

The main goal of this course is to provide insight into the practice of clinical psychology. Students acquire the basic skills needed for the first encounter and communication with patients. Based on the theoretical knowledge of characteristics of mental disorders students are able to explore a patient with mental disorder and they are able to summarize their experiences. Practical information regarding the aims of a first psychological interview in clinical practice, special problems that could occur during an interview, and possible solutions are discussed using role plays and other exercises.

Learning outcome, competences
knowledge:

  •  characteristics, diagnostic and psychotherapeutic aspects of main mental and behavioral disorders
  •  person-centered approach
  •  initial interview and other techniques of interviews

attitude:

  •  explorative
  •  empathetic, congruent, with unconditional positive regard
  •  supportive

skills:

  •  ability of empathy and exploration
  •  get in touch with a patient with mental disorder
  •  form and maintain an ethically proper relationship with patients
  •  development of basic skills for initial interview
  •  ability of case presentation

Content of the course
Topics of the course

  •  1-5: introduction, presentations of material, initial interview, structured interviews, role play, practice of basic skills
  •  6-12: empathy, person-centered approach, skilled helper model, mental disorders and special problems in interviews, presentations, role-play
  •  13: evaluation

Learning activities, learning methods
active presence, in groups, role-plays, presentation of material, case presentation, video

Evaluation of outcomes
Learning requirements, mode of evaluation, criteria of evaluation:

requirements
The active presence is essential (max. 3 missed classes can be accepted).
Students are required to read the material and each week, one student gives a talk to the class about the current section of the material, lasting up to 15 minutes; then we discuss it in class in an active way (for example by role-play). 

A visit of a unit of psychiatry and an exploration of a patient, then students are required to give a case presentation and write an essay about their experiences (case report)

mode of evaluation:
practical mark

criteria of evaluation:
active presence
presentation of material
case presentation
essay (case report)

Readings

Reading list
Compulsory reading list

Barlow, D.H., and Durand, V.M. (2015). Abnormal Psychology: An Integrative Approach, 7th Edition (Wadsworth Publishing).
Recommended reading list
Argelander, H. (1976) The initial interview in psychotherapy. New York: Human Sciences Press Gillon, E. (2007) Person-Centred Counselling Psychology: An Introduction. London: SAGE Wosket, V. (2006) Egan's Skilled Helper Model: Developments and Implications in Counselling. New York: Routledge

First, M.B. et al. (2015) Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 Disorders (SCID-5-CV): Clinician Version. Amer Psychiatric Pub.