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Academic Goals
Learning Goals for Psych 489: Clinical Psychology
Ron Smith
This course builds on the material covered in Psych 202, 209, and 305 in order to expose students to the theoretical and empirical underpinnings of modern therapeutic techniques. While this course will not give students direct training or experience as a therapist, it will give you a better understanding of the nature of clinical research, the various psychotherapeutic approaches, how the effectiveness of therapeutic approaches is studied, and the role of a Clinical Psychologist. The emphasis placed on each of the goals listed below may vary based on each individual instructor’s approach to teaching the course.
By the end of this course, students will be able to:- Understand how various psychological perspectives are put to use in a clinical setting (some examples may include psychodynamic, behavioral, cognitive, humanistic, gestalt, interpersonal). Characterize some of the different approaches used to treat psychological disorders, how they unfold within a therapeutic session, and identify the proposed mechanisms of action.
- Identify the basic issues, methods, and assessment techniques for different approaches to psychotherapy and behavioral change. Discuss findings from studies on the impact of the different approaches and explain the specific research methods used most often in Clinical Psychology.
- Understand the research issues involved with and current issues of controversy in the field of clinical research. Some examples include: "individual differences vs. error variance" and "statistical vs. clinical significance" in outcome studies, and efficacy vs. effectiveness.
- Characterize the various functions that a Clinical Psychologist may serve (e.g., research, assessment, diagnosis, treatment, community outreach, consultation).
- Understand professional ethics and apply ethical principles to case examples. Explore some of the professional issues involved in therapy and how these issues are currently addressed and/or debated in the field.
- Understand the importance of multicultural issues in a clinical setting. Explain what is meant by cultural sensitivity, cultural awareness, and cultural competence.
- Adopt and incorporate different theoretical approaches to conceptualizing case situations, by incorporating elements of biopsychosocial, physiological, social context, and psychological functioning.
- Research a specific issue, formulate an educated opinion based on independent research and class material, and express this opinion in writing.
