Clinical psychology - course RUB 367,974. from Psychodemia, training 2 years, 1620 hours, Date January 22, 2024.

Clinical psychologist, CBT therapist, schema therapist, head of the Krasnodar branch of the Association of Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy.

Clinical psychologist, family systems therapist, schema therapist.

Section 1. Biological basis of behavior. Psychopharmacology. Introduction to psychiatry and pathopsychology. Normal and impaired development throughout life.

Biological basis of behavior

The section highlights the most important modern data at the intersection of clinical psychology and natural sciences, as well as medicine:

• modern neuroanatomy
• neurophysiology
• behavioral genetics
• methods for assessing brain function
• neurology

As a result of studying this section of the course, students will learn how the systems of our body and mental processes are interconnected. This will help you better understand and be able to explain to clients what is happening to them and how your work will help them.

Psychopharmacology

This section provides information about modern approaches to drug treatment of mental disorders. Students will be able to explain the need for medication treatment to their clients and learn to speak the same language as psychiatrists.

Introduction to psychiatry and pathopsychology

This section examines the main modern classifications of mental disorders. Students will begin to understand the symptoms observed in clients, will be able to preliminarily determine the nature of the disorder and effectively interact with psychiatrists in joint work.

Normal and impaired development throughout life

The section examines the age aspect of human mental development, both normally and with disorders. Topics covered include:

• mental development at different ages (children, teenagers, elderly)
• developmental disorders at different ages
• risk and protective factors across the lifespan
• life events and development
• interaction between organism and environment

As a result of mastering this section of the course, students will learn to better understand what is happening with clients at different age periods, and will also deepen their understanding of the maturation and destruction of mental functions.

Section 2. Diagnostics and clinical interviewing.

Diagnostics and clinical interviewing

This section of the course covers the principles and practices of collecting client data on the basis of which major business decisions are made. Various methods of data collection will be discussed, from standardized techniques to interview and observation. Special attention will be paid to understanding the capabilities and limitations of each diagnostic method.
As a result of studying this section, students will not only receive ready-made methods for collecting client data, but also will learn to conduct a conversation with a client in such a way as to maintain an alliance throughout the collaboration.

Section 3. Clinical interventions and prevention.

Clinical interventions and prevention

This section will introduce students to how a strategy for working with clients in clinical psychology is built, based on what are the grounds for making decisions about certain interventions and what kind of interventions have been adopted in modern practice. Separately, we will discuss how a clinical psychologist interacts with related specialists when working with clients.

Next, we will consider in detail how to work with queries such as:

• Mood disorders
• Anxiety disorders
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder
• Clinical Perspective on Traumatic Experience
• Addictive behavior
• Personality disorders
• Suicidal behavior
• Psychotic disorders
• Emergencies and crises
• Chronic illnesses and psychological symptoms

For each block of the section there is a theoretical part about how this disorder functions and how to deal with it. It employs modern specialists, as well as extensive practice and development of the skills necessary for such work.
As a result of the training, students will learn to work with categories of clients who demonstrate signs of the studied disorders.

Section 4. Multicultural competence of the clinical psychologist. Ethical issues in clinical practice.

Multicultural competence of a clinical psychologist

According to existing world standards, a clinical psychologist should be able to comprehend his work in social context and be able to interact with different customer groups, including discriminated groups.
This section will examine theories of personality and theories of individual differences, racial, ethnic, gender, sexual, developmental, and social aspects of human functioning.
As a result of mastering this section, the student will be able to develop his multicultural competence, which is part of the ethical standards of the profession.

Ethical Issues in Clinical Practice

This section is aimed at developing the student’s skills in building safe and ethical practice. Ethical dilemmas, especially common in the practice of a clinical psychologist, will be considered, and ways to resolve them will be proposed.
As a result of the training, the student will learn to see those facets of his work where the safety and ethical principles of the profession may be violated, and will learn to effectively cope with possible problems.

Section 5. Supervision.

Supervision

This section of the course is maximally focused on practice after training. Here real cases from practice will be examined and specific support will be given to novice specialists.
Students will be able to begin working with clients, applying all the necessary knowledge and skills acquired during the course, and also understand their opportunities for further professional growth.