OVERVIEW

The teaching of clinical psychology concerns one of the main theoretical and applied branches of psychology including the scientific study and applications of psychology about the understanding, prevention and intervention of psychological and relational problems in individuals, families and groups.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The teaching aims to provide a framework of clinical psychology, with regard to the main theories and methods of intervention with a specific focus both on the psychodynamic paradigm and attachment theory. Particular attention will be devoted to the reflection on the role of clinical psychologist in the different contexts of intervention, the demand analysis model, the dynamics of the clinical relationship, from the institution of the setting to its conclusion, the psychodynamic assessment and attachment-based psychotherapeutic treatments.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The teaching aims at providing students with theoretical and methodological knowledge on Clinical Psychology, its intervention methods and research field. The teaching will address the main issues of clinical psychology and it will be organized in three parts:

• Part 1: Concepts, definitions and paradigms of Clinical Psychology.

Definition of Clinical Psychology – Theoretical models of motivation – Psychopathology – Intervention techniques – Diagnostic, therapeutic and rehabilitative activities – Psychological intervention in different contexts

• Part 2: Assessment of clinical disorders and personality disorders.

Mental functioning - Psychopathological suffering - Affect Regulation - Relational patterns - Developmental issues - Defense mechanisms - Personality organizations – Psychodynamic diagnosis

• Part 3: Models and Methodologies of Clinical Intervention.

Therapeutic relationship - Transference and countertransference – Emotional resonance – Clinical Training - - Efficacy of treatments - Ethical principles and professional ethics

At the end of the course, the student will be able to:

1. to define the clinical psychology and the role of the clinical psychologist in the different contexts of intervention (knowledge and understanding)
2. understand and reflect on the model of demand analysis (knowledge and understanding)
3. acquire adequate knowledge related to the construction of the clinical relationship, from sending it to its conclusion, to its processes and problems (knowledge and understanding)
4. acquire adequate knowledge concerning the psychodynamic evaluation and its methodologies (knowledge and understanding)
5. apply the acquired knowledge to the analysis of clinical cases (applying knowledge and understanding)
6. acquire the technical language typical of clinical psychology to communicate with specialists and non-specialists and to orientate oneself in future choices (learning skills)

PREREQUISITES

The student must adequately master the concepts of dynamic psychology and have good knowledge of the contributions of the most significant and influential psychoanalysts.

TEACHING METHODS

The teaching will consist of a combination of traditional lectures with slides and video, as well as presentations and discussion of clinical cases both in small and large group.

A critical and active participation of the students will be encouraged.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The course program will include the presentation and discussion of the following topics:

• The complex definition of clinical psychology
• Analysis of the demand as a model for clinical-psychological practice
• The unconscious in the clinical relationship
• Treat the question of clinical psychology: from sending to the consultation institution
• The "short" psychological-clinical intervention
• The clinical relationship: the therapeutic alliance
• The conclusion of the psychological intervention
• The supervision relationship
• Nosographic-descriptive (DSM) and interpretative diagnosis (psychodynamic evaluation)
• Methodologies: the Structural Interview by Kernberg
• The evolutionary levels of personality organization
• Defence mechanisms
• Types of personality organization (psychopathic, narcissistic, schizoid, etc.)
• Attachment in clinical practice
• The trauma and the avoidant client
• Avoiding defences
• Activate the attachment system: challenge the client
• Emotional detachment: the mourning’s avoidance
• Build the therapeutic relationship with the avoidant client: the centrality of empathy
• The treatment of avoidant client

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bibliography list

The following books can be also found in English:

1. McWilliams N. (2012). Psychoanalytic Diagnosis. Understanding personality structure in the clinical process. The Guilford Press, NYC, London.
2. Gabbard G. O. (2005). Introduction to psychodinamic psychotherapy.
3. Muller R.T. (2010). Trauma and the avoidant client: attachment-based strategies for healing

The book written by Italian scholar (Grasso M. (2010). La relazione terapeutica, Il Mulino, Bologna) can be replaced with other text agreed with the Lecturer

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

CECILIA SERENA PACE (President)

STEFANIA MUZI

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Tuesday, September 24, 2019 (first semester)

Class schedule

CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam procedure is in written form, followed by electronic registration, normally in the subsequent appeal.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The exam is in written form and it includes four open-ended questions regarding the texts and topics presented and discussed in classes.

The students will ought to demonstrate both that they have acquired the contents of teaching in an active and personal way and that they have learned how to communicate them using scientific language and technical terms.

Exam schedule