The course aims to provide the basic elements of clinical psychology as an applied discipline: a) which takes into account the subjectivity of the individual case (idiographic approach); b) which refers to a specific method (the clinical method); c) which considers a heterogeneous set of techniques (diagnostic and therapeutic). In the evaluation of clinical disorders, starting from descriptive diagnostics, the course will adopt - as a main theoretical reference - the psychoanalytic model, flanked by the contribution of phenomenological psychopathology, especially in relation to the field of severe (borderline and psychotic) pathology.

The program is divided into three parts (2h+3h/week):

Part I. Definition, method, and classification:

• History and definition of clinical psychology (lectures 1-2)
• The clinical method: diagnosis and language (lectures 3-4)
• Nosographic classification systems and overview of clinical disorders (lecture 5)

Part II. Major areas of the contemporary clinic (with special attention to borderline and bodily areas):

• Conflict and anxious-obsessive domains (lectures 6-7-8)
• Mood and depression (lectures 9-10-11)
• Trauma and Borderline Area (lectures 12-13)
• Non-suicidal self-harm and bodily disorders (lecture 14)
• Consciousness and psychotic area + French perspectives on psychosis (bouffées délirantes and chronic delusional psychoses) (lectures 15-16-17)

Part III. Guidelines for care:

• Overview of different psychotherapeutic treatments for mental disorders (lecture 18)
• Once upon a time in asylums: treatment according to the Basaglia law (lecture 19)

None.

In relation to the discipline, the student must demonstrate the acquisition of:

• Knowledge and understanding: Mastery of the basic knowledge of clinical psychology and the clinical method, with particular attention to its specificity in relation to related disciplines;
• Applying knowledge and understanding: The ability to recognize and differentiate the psychopathological elements that characterize the various clinical disorders;
• Making judgment: The ability to use knowledge and concepts to initiate clinical reasoning with reference to original material consisting of clinical case reports or clinical vignettes;
• Communication skills: The ability to use a specific language to describe psychopathological and basic clinical phenomena;
• Learning skills: Upon completion of the course, students will have acquired good autonomy in reading clinical material and in critically understanding the 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

There are no teaching support activities.

Teaching

• Frontal lectures
• Discussion of clinical cases

Innovative teaching methods

• Use of the University Moodle platform for uploading in-depth material (text, audio, or video); 
• Use of the Wooclap interactive platform to stimulate active participation and measure the level of understanding of course topics;
• Use of "debate" practice to discuss some relevant course topics and facilitate the development of critical thinking.

Attendance

The frequency of lessons is not mandatory, but it is strongly recommended.

Course books

• Hooley, JM, Butcher, JN, Nock, MK, & Mineka, S. (2017). Psicopatologia e psicologia clinica. Milano: Pearson (Parts to be excluded: pp. 21-38, chapters 4 and 14). pp. 534
• Rossi Monti, M. & D'Agostino, A. (2009). L'autolesionismo. Roma: Carocci. pp. 115
• Borgna, E. (2017). L'ascolto gentile. Racconti clinici. Torino: Einaudi. pp. 171

Assessment

Oral exam. 

The evaluation criteria are 1) the relevance and effectiveness of the responses to the content of the program; 2) the degree of articulation of the response; 3) the appropriateness of the language used.

The final score is expressed in thirtieths (range of scores from a minimum of 18 to a maximum of 30 cum laude).

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

• Frontal lectures
• Discussion of clinical cases

Attendance

The frequency of lessons is not mandatory, but it is strongly recommended.

Course books

• Hooley, JM, Butcher, JN, Nock, MK, & Mineka, S. (2017). Psicopatologia e psicologia clinica. Milano: Pearson (Esclusi: pp. 21-38, cap.4 e cap.14). pp. 534
• Rossi Monti, M. & D'Agostino, A. (2009). L'autolesionismo. Roma: Carocci. pp. 115
• Borgna, E. (2017). L'ascolto gentile. Racconti clinici. Torino: Einaudi. pp. 171

Assessment

Oral exam. 

The evaluation criteria are 1) the relevance and effectiveness of the responses to the content of the program; 2) the degree of articulation of the response; 3) the appropriateness of the language used.

The final score is expressed in thirtieths (range of scores from a minimum of 18 to a maximum of 30 cum laude).

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.

• Students who have not completed all the exams within the prescribed period may take the exam according to the program of the academic year of attendance, but they must notify the Professor by e-mail before the exam. 
• ERASMUS students can arrange personalized programs with the Professor and take the exam in Italian and/or English.