PsychologyPsychopathology Proseminar
This course covers fundamental topics in psychopathology, with an emphasis on etiological and diagnostic issues, in the context of current nosology (the DSM system, etc.). Theoretical models of psychopathological phenomena and major syndromes (e.g. affective disorders, personality disorders, substance abuse) are discussed, with reference to relevant empirical findings. Implications for treatment are also considered.
Special Topics Seminars - Clinical Psychology
These courses cover a wide array of specialized topics in the area of clinical psychology. Courses in other departments with highly relevant content, a rigorous syllabus and a clear evaluation component can often be counted toward this requirement. Some recent courses include:
- Neuropsychopharmacology
- Developmental Psychopathology
- Debates in Classification
- Treatment of Anxiety and Depression
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Psychological Assessment (Psychology 810)
This course provides a basic introduction to the theories and tools of psychological assessment. Students learn how to administer and interpret a number of cognitive, learning, neuropsychological and personality tests including the WAIS, WMS, WIAT, Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), Delis-Kaplan Executive Function Tests, and so on. Attention is given to serving as a consultant, differential diagnosis, case conceptualization, and integrating test results into formal but accessible reports.
Psychodiagnostic Interviewing (Psychology 811)
This course, usually taken simultaneously with Psychology 810, provides a basic introduction to psychodiagnostic interviewing and differential diagnosis. Students learn to take clinical histories and to administer a number of standardized diagnostic interviews, including the mental status exam, the DIAMOND, the SCID II, the ADIS, and various clinician rating scales such as the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression. Attention is also given to self-report symptom inventories such as the Beck Depression Inventory and the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised as well as to computerized diagnostic tools.
Empirically Supported Treatments (Psychology 709)
This course must be taken by all clinical students, and covers a wide range of approaches to the treatment of psychopathology that have a strong evidence base supporting their efficacy. Students will learn the criteria that must be applied to determine whether a treatment can be considered an EST, and will review various research methods and approaches that can be applied to that end.