The course aims to present the characteristics of clinical psychology (1) as a method of approach to individuality of the individual clinical case; (2) as a discipline in which notions and knowledge coming from other branches of psychology are applied in the clinic; (3) as a set of diagnostic and therapeutic techniques. In this sense the course proposes, after having developed the specificity of the clinical method, to favor the development of clinical reasoning through the application of clinical psychology to the analysis of the problems of inner life and especially to the side of mental pathology. In this sense clinical psychology will be understood as a real "pathological psychology" aimed at outlining the different "worlds" in which those who suffer from mental illness live on the basis of the knowledge developed by the phenomenological-dynamic psychopathology.

The course is divided into three parts.

Part One: Introduction to the Clinic

Definition of Clinical Psychology (Lessons 1-3)
Role of the Clinical Psychologist in the various work contexts (lessons 3-6)
Part two: Clinical psychology and its surroundings

Clinical psychology and psychopathology / psychodynamics / medical psychology / psychiatry (lessons 7-10)
Psychiatric diagnosis and psychological-clinical diagnosis (lessons 11-12)
Part Three: Psychopathology

Introduction to the borderline area: organization and borderline personality disorder (lessons 13-14)
Diagnostic Criteria of BPD: From Third Person Description to First Person Description (Lessons 15-16)
Competing Models: Affective Dysregulation and Identity Diffusion

The student must show that they have:

Knowledge and understanding: the mastery of the basic knowledge of clinical psychology and of the clinical method with particular reference to the specificity of the method in relation to related disciplines.
Applying knowledge and understanding: the ability to recognize and distinguish which psychopathological elements distinguish the different clinical pictures.
Making judgments: the ability to use knowledge and concepts to initiate clinical reasoning in reference to original material consisting of clinical case reports or clinical vignettes.
Communication skills: the specific language for the description of basic psychopathological and clinical phenomena.
Learning skills: Upon completion of the course, students will have acquired good autonomy in reading clinical material and in critical understanding of complex psychopathological phenomena that can occur in contemporary clinical situations.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Indications will be provided on integrative readings and bibliographies for the study of specific topics, in particular of a clinical nature.
 

Teaching

Frontal lessons

Group discussion of clinical cases

Seminars with experts

Innovative teaching methods

The face-to-face teaching method will be enriched with in-depth studies that students will carry out using the University Moodle platform.

Some topics of the course will be treated following the practice of the "debate".

Attendance

The frequency of lessons is considered absolutely essential because of the applicative content of the subject, also for the purpose of the exam.

Course books

1) A.SIMS,INTRODUZIONE ALLA PSICOPATOLOGIA DESCRITTIVA, CORTINA, MILANO, 2009 Quarta Edizione. Cap. 1; Cap. 7-8-9-10: Cap.12-13-14-15; Cap. 18; Cap. 21 –  264 pp.

2) G.STANGHELLINI, M. ROSSI MONTI, PSICOLOGIA DEL PATOLOGICO. CORTINA, MILANO, 2009 – 320 pp.

3) M. ROSSI MONTI (A CURA DI), PSICOPATOLOGIA DEL PRESENTE. CRISI DELLA NOSOGRAFIA E NUOVE FORME DELLA CLINICA. ANGELI, MILANO, 2012 – 208 pp.

Recommended supplementary readings

W. BLANKENBURG, LA PERDITA DELLA EVIDENZA NATURALE, CORTINA, MILANO,

H.GRIVOIS, NASCERE ALLA FOLLIA. MAGI, ROMA, 2002

R.LAING, L’IO DIVISO, EINAUDI, TORINO, 2001

Assessment

WRITTEN EXAM: 16 QUESTIONS WITH MULTIPLE CLOSED ANSWERS

DURATION: 20 MINUTES

EVALUATION CRITERIA AND PARAMETERS

· Less than 18: insufficient level of competence. The candidate does not achieve any of the learning outcomes provided for in the point "knowledge and understanding",

18-20: sufficient level of competence. The candidate achieves the learning outcomes provided for in the point "knowledge and understanding",

21-23: fully sufficient level of competence. The candidate achieves the learning outcomes envisaged in the points "knowledge and understanding" and "applied knowledge and understanding",

24-26: good level of competence. The candidate achieves the learning outcomes envisaged in the points "knowledge and understanding"; "applied knowledge and understanding" and "independent judgment",

27-29: very good level of competence. The candidate achieves the learning outcomes envisaged in the points "knowledge and understanding", "applied knowledge and understanding", "independent judgment" and "communication skills",

30 and 30 cum laude: excellent level of competence. The candidate fully achieves the learning outcomes envisaged in the points "knowledge and understanding"; "applied knowledge and understanding"; "autonomy of judgment"; "communication skills" and "ability to learn".

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

No difference

Attendance

No difference

Course books

No difference

Assessment

No difference

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.