B3082 - Methods in Clinical Psychology

Learning outcomes

Methods in clinical Psychology: the course will focus on the various strategies to conduct psychological evaluations in clinical psychology, from the use of specific questionnaires to the use of structured and semi-structured interviews. The students will learn basic techniques to differentiate normal vs abnormal functioning (psychopathology) with the applications of these evaluation strategies

Course contents

The course will be articulated in the following two modules of Clinical Psychology.

Module 1 by Professor Paola Surcinelli:

Theoretical definition of normal and abnormal functioning: mental state, cognitive functioning, emotional regulations strategies, personality styles.

Psychological testing in clinical psychology: applications, scoring procedures and interpretation of results of instruments assessing psychological symptoms, personality, attachment styles, coping strategies and emotion regulation.

Module 2 by Professor Danilo Carrozzino:

1) The use of clinical interviewing in clinical psychology.

2) Attending and listening skills for clinical interviewing: conceptual principles and methodological approaches.

3) The use of questions during clinical interviewing.

4) Patient-Reported Outcome Measures and clinimetric criteria for psychological evaluations.

5) Clinimetric approach to the assessment of:

- Psychological distress.

- Demoralization.

- Mental Pain.

- Somatization.

Classes will take place during the second semester (Academic Year 2024-2025), Cesena, Department of Psychology “Renzo Canestrari”, University of Bologna.

Readings/Bibliography

Module 1 of Clinical Psychology by Professor Paola Surcinelli:

Mandatory readings:

- Graham Davey. Psychopathology: Research, Assessment and Treatment in Clinical Psychology. III Ed.Wiley‐BPS Blackwell, [2021] | ISBN 9781119679189 (paperback) | ISBN 9781119679219 (adobe pdf) | ISBN 9781119679226 (epub)

Additional bibliographic references will be provided during classes.

Module 2 of Clinical Psychology by Professor Danilo Carrozzino:

The following readings are mandatory:

1) Carrozzino, D., Patierno, C., Guidi, J., Montiel, C. B., Cao, J., Charlson, M. E., ... & Fava, G. A. (2021). Clinimetric criteria for patient-reported outcome measures. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 90(4), 222-232.

2) Carrozzino, D., Patierno, C., Pignolo, C., & Christensen, K. S. (2023). The concept of psychological distress and its assessment: A clinimetric analysis of the SCL-90-R. International Journal of Stress Management, 30(3), 235–248.

3) de Figueiredo, J. M. (1993). Depression and demoralization: Phenomenologic differences and research perspectives. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 34(5), 308–311

4) Fava, G. A., Cosci, F., & Sonino, N. (2017). Current psychosomatic practice. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 86(1), 13-30.

5) John Sommers-Flanagan & Rita Sommers-Flanagan: Clinical Interviewing (limited to chapters [1-3-4] that will be reviewed during classes).

6) Meerwijk, E. L., & Weiss, S. J. (2011). Toward a unifying definition of psychological pain. Journal of Loss and Trauma, 16(5), 402–412.

Scientific articles and book chapters will be discussed and reviewed during classes to facilitate the co-construction of knowledge and to enhance critical thinking and the process of clinical reasoning.

Additional bibliographic references will be provided during classes.

Teaching methods

Module 1 of Clinical Psychology by Professor Paola Surcinelli:

Academic lectures with Power Point Presentation. Theoretical contents will be supported and integrated with group works, presentation and discussion of clinical cases, videos, and role-playing activities. Class attendance and active participation are required since they are essential elements to achieve expected learning outcomes.

Module 2 of Clinical Psychology by Professor Danilo Carrozzino:

Academic (i.e., traditional) lectures will be combined with practical and discussion sessions.

Cooperative teaching methods will be adopted and include “learning by doing” (i.e., assignments, role-playing, and group presentations).

Class attendance and active participation are required since they are essential elements to achieve expected learning outcomes.

Assessment methods

Module 1 of Clinical Psychology by Professor Paola Surcinelli:

The final evaluation will consist of an oral examination. Students will complete an oral interview where they will answer questions about course contents. The acquired knowledge will be evaluated based on the extent to which answers are adequate and comprehensive. The highest score (i.e., 30 cum laude) will be assigned to students demonstrating not only an extensive knowledge of the topic but also the ability to provide an answer based on their critical thinking and clinical reasoning.

Module 2 of Clinical Psychology by Professor Danilo Carrozzino:

A final exam, which consists of an interview, will be scheduled at the end of the course.

Students will complete an oral examination where they will answer questions about methods of clinical psychology.

The acquired knowledge will be evaluated based on the extent to which answers are adequate and comprehensive. Critical thinking and clinical reasoning will also be evaluated.

The highest score (i.e., 30 cum laude) will be assigned to students demonstrating not only an extensive knowledge of the topic but also the ability to provide an answer based on their critical thinking and clinical reasoning.

The use of books, notes and slides is not allowed during the exam.

Please note that the final grade will be the weighted average of marks obtained in the two modules of Methods in Clinical Psychology.

Teaching tools

Module 1 of Clinical Psychology by Professor Paola Surcinelli:

PowerPoint presentations, scientific articles, video illustrations, and handouts.

For more details about Module of Clinical Psychology by Professor Paola Surcinelli, please send an email to: paola.surcinelli3@unibo.it

Module 2 of Clinical Psychology by Professor Danilo Carrozzino:

PowerPoint presentations, scientific articles, video illustrations, and worksheets will be used during classes.

For more details about Module of Clinical Psychology by Professor Carrozzino, please send an email to: danilo.carrozzino@unibo.it

Office hours

See the website of Danilo Carrozzino

See the website of Paola Surcinelli