Adult Psychopathology

PSYC

75603

Adult Psychopathology

The aim of this doctoral course is to introduce clinical psychology graduate students to the basic concepts relevant to understanding psychopathology in adult patients from psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioral perspectives. The course examines the clinical, research, and theoretical literature of a range of Axis I and Axis II disorders. Requirements include active participation in class discussions, presentations of assigned readings, and a research paper.Rationale: The course is a required second year, treatment-oriented course and overlaps with no other course in the department. It is being taught as an experimental course and will now become an ongoing required offering in the clinical subprogram.Learning Goals: The major purpose of the course is to expose students to the theory and research on psychopathology behind major Axis I disorders (unipolar and bipolar disorders, PTSD, psychotic disorders and DID). In addition the course will cover the theory and research on psychopathology behind major Axis II disorders (borderline and narcissistic personality disorders). Another major aim is to promote understanding of both Axis I and Axis II disorders from several different vantage points including the psychodynamic, neurobiological, familial, cognitive, and environmental/social perspectives. Students will be introduced to the foundations in object relations theory of contemporary conceptualizations of psychopathology, and will learn how object relations theorists understand the etiology, development, and expression of personality disorders, as well as the underlying psychic structures (i.e., self and object representations) that contribute to psychopathology. The course will cover the major empirical studies on object relations perspectives. Students will also be introduced to the neurobiological correlates of personality and affective disorders and will understand the role of trauma in the development of different forms of psychopathology. Students will also be introduced to the foundations in attachment theory and research of conceptualizations of personality disorders and their treatment. The course will cover how attachment theory and research inform the etiology, development, and expression of personality disorders, as well as the parent-child attachment patterns and internal working models of attachment that contribute to psychopathology. Also covered will be the concept of mentalization, and how deficits in mentalization have been linked empirically with personality disorders and their treatment. Finally the course will cover some of the socio-cultural, familial and socio-historical factors that may contribute to psychopathology.Assessment: The students will be expected to demonstrate mastery of the course content through their class participation (25%); their oral presentation of articles in class (25%) and their final research paper (50%).

Offer as needed

Graduate School Graduate

Yes

030893