Course content

The course is a comprehensive program, which focuses on the major therapeutic approaches within the area clinical adult psychology. Psychotherapy research, indications for treatments and treatment effects are the main goals, including therapy in a lifelong perspective. An introduction is provided into the most common therapeutic directions for working with adults. In addition to therapy-specific conditions there will be emphasis on the common factors that are significant for successful treatment. Research into the effectiveness and suitability of therapeutic methods in ordinary clinical practice will be examined. The course will also focus on developing and forming a deeper understanding of practical psychological skills in psychotherapy and will provide the basis for advisory/counselling work with relatives, other clinicians, institutional staff, teachers etc. One-week home exam. Approximately 5000 - 8000 words.

Learning outcome

Knowledge:

• The student has knowledge of psychotherapy research and indications and efficacy of the most common forms of treatment.
• The student has knowledge about how to adapt therapy in a life-cycle perspective

Skills:

• The student understands core constructs and is able to reflect on the advantages and disadvantages of various forms of psychological treatments.
• The student knows how to develop psychological treatment based on psychopathology and knowledge of effective treatment methods.
• The student is capable of being critical to research findings and the limitations of various forms of psychological treatments.

General competency:

• The student has knowledge of the basic clinical research questions and the major treatment approaches.
• The student is capable to reflect on his or her own practice and work and to adapt the treatment approach in work with children or adults.
• The student is able to plan, conduct and evaluate psychological treatment.
• The student can search for relevant scientific literature, and read this independently and critically to stay professionally updated

Learning methods and activities

Lectures, seminars, exercises, individual tutorials.

Specific conditions

Required previous knowledge

Passed exam in PSYPRO4201-4204 is required. The class will be divided into two from this semester. One group will take the two children clinic courses PSYPRO4601 and PSYPRO4602, the second group the two adult clinic courses, PSYPRO4603 and PSYPRO4604, and reverse the following semester. A student who has not passed either PSYPRO4602 or PSYPRO4603 cannot proceed until this has been passed.

Course materials

See reading list

Credit reductions