69992 - Psychological Therapy.

Learning outcomes

Students will learn basic therapeutic ingredients of psychological interventions and treatment indications for mental disorders based on scientific evidence.

Course contents

The course consists of teaching modules and will take place during the first semester (from September to Dicember 2024) at the Cesena Campus, Department of Psychology.

Prof. Guidi (6 ECTS):

1. Scientific evaluation of psychotherapy effectiveness. Main aspects of control and randomization.

2. Methodology and study design in psychotherapy research. How to critically understand psychotherapy studies. How to apply a psychotherapy protocol in clinical settings.

3. Process and outcome assessment. Variables linked to patient, therapist and setting.

4. Evidence-based treatments of mood disorders and bipolar spectrum disorders.

Prof.ssa Tomba (2 ECTS):

1. Theoretical models and basic paradigms of psychological interventions: a historical perspective.
2. Psychological models and evidence-based psychological therapies for panic disorder and agoraphobia.
3. Psychological models and evidence-based psychological therapies for social anxiety disorder and generalized anxiety disorder.
4. Psychological models and evidence-based psychological therapies for obsessive-compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Readings/Bibliography

Prof. Guidi:

Bibliografy:

Fava GA, Grandi S, Rafanelli C (a cura di): Terapia psicologica. Centro Scientifico Editore, 2010 (Chapters 1,2,3,4)

Fava GA: Well-Being Therapy. Treatment manual and clinical applications. Basel, Karger, 2016. 

Fava et al. Psychother Psychosom 2017;86:332-340.

Guidi et al. Psychother Psychosom 2018;87:276-284.

Fava & Guidi JAMA Psychiatry 2021;8(3):261-269.

Guidi et al. J Clin Psychiatry 2017;78(4):456-463 and/or Cosci & Fava Psychother Psychosom 2013;82:20-34.

Guidi & Fava Psychother Psychosom 2022;91:156–167.

Suggested readings:

G.A. Fava: Discontinuing antidepressant medications. New York, Oxford University Press, 2021

G.A. Fava: Uscire dalla sofferenza mentale. Roma, Tab, 2022.

J.S. Beck: Cognitive therapy: basics and beyond. New York, Guilford, 1995.

S. Stuart, M. Robertson: Interpersonal psychotherapy. London, Arnold, 2003.

M. Williams, J. Teasdale, Z.V. Segal, J. Kabat-Zinn, M. Linehan: The Mindful Way through Depression: Freeing Yourself from Chronic Unhappiness. New York, Guilford Press, 2007.

 

Prof. Tomba:

The contents covered in the lectures must be studied in the following book chapters and systematic reviews. The books are accessible either as e-book resources on the AlmaStart application, UNIBO https://almastart.unibo.it/primo-explore/search?vid=39UBO_VU reserved for students enrolled at the University of Bologna after entering UNIBO credentials, or available (if in print) at the Universitaria Silvana Contento Library, Department of Psychology, Cesena campus.

Mandatory material:

E-Book

Gordon J., Asmundson G. Comprehensive Clinical Psychology. 2nd Edition (2022). Elsevier. Hardback ISBN: 9780128186978; eBook ISBN: 9780128222324 https://www-sciencedirect-com.ezproxy.unibo.it/referencework/9780128222324/comprehensive-clinical-psychology Chapter: 1 Psychotherapy Models Chapter 6: Case Conceptualization and Treatment: Adults (sections 6.17 (pp. 304-312); 6.18 (pp. 326-332); 6.19 (pp. 339-350); 6.21 (pp. 375-380); 6.22 (pp. 388-402))

Scientific Articles

An updated list of studies and systematic reviews for the specific disorder covered, which constitutes the reference bibliography for this module of the Psychological Therapy course, will be provided on the Virtual platform.

Book

Fava Giovanni Andrea, Elena Tomba. Il panico. Nella trappola della paura. Il Mulino Series: Farsi un'idea, 2013 ISBN-10: 8815244786 ISBN-13: 9788815244789

Recommended (not mandatory) readings:

Books: Fava GA, Grandi S, Rafanelli C (eds): Terapia psicologica. Centro Scientifico Editore, 2010 (chapters 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)

David, D., Lynn, S. J., & Montgomery, G. H. (Eds.). (2018). Evidence-based psychotherapy: The state of the science and practice. Wiley-Blackwell

Gordon J., Asmundson G. Comprehensive Clinical Psychology. 2nd Edition (2022). Elsevier. Hardback ISBN: 9780128186978; eBook ISBN: 9780128222324 https://www-sciencedirect-com.ezproxy.unibo.it/referencework/9780128222324/comprehensive-clinical-psychology Chapters (6.5; 6.09; 6.13)

Teaching methods

Lectures with case exemplifications, discussions and classroom exercises. Course attendance plays a crucial role in both learning and assessing processes.

Assessment methods

The final evaluation will consist in an ORAL exam. There are no mid-term evaluations.

The ORAL exam is aimed to assess the student's knowledge with regard to the topics included in the reference bibliography and/or covered during classes (specific and non-specific psychotherapeutic factors, principles of evidence-based psychotherapeutic approaches, evidence-based indications for the treatment of mental disorders).

The highest final mark (30/30, with honors), will reflect the comprehensiveness, adequacy and full articulation of the oral exam. The following criteria will be considered: comprehensiveness (0-16 points); adequacy (0-7 points); full articulation (0-7 points). Marks will progressively decrease based on lack of information (i.e., deficiencies in clinical reasoning, inadequate knowledge of the literature related to the topic) and/or inaccurate or off-topic answers. It is mandatory to achieve a mark as high as 18/30 in each partial examination. The final grade will be calculated as the average of the marks obtained in the two oral tests. The final mark will be published on ALMAESAMI.

Students should register for the exam by using Almaesami. Student's identification through an ID document is mandatory.

Teaching tools

PC, videoprojector, audiovisual material.

Office hours

See the website of Jenny Guidi

See the website of Elena Tomba