SUBJECT

Title

Clinical Psychology Practical

Type of instruction

practice

Faculty

Faculty of Education and Psychology

Part of degree program

Psychology BA

Typically offered in

Autumn/spring semester

Course description

Aim of the course:
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

Readings

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.