Course Syllabus
European Clinical Psychology B |
 |
| Semester & Location: |
Fall 2024 - DIS Copenhagen |
| Type & Credits: |
Core Class - 3 credits |
| Major Disciplines: |
Human Development, Pre-Medicine/Health Science, Psychology |
| Prerequisite: |
One psychology course at the university level. |
| Core Course Study Tours |
Western Denmark & Vienna, Austria |
| Faculty Members: |
Bruce Bradfield (current students please contact via the Canvas Inbox) |
| Program Contact: |
Department email address psy.cns@dis.dk |
| Time & Place: |
Monday & Thursday 8.30-9.50 Classroom: Fi6-Metro 102 |
Description of Course
Prerequisites: A course in Psychology at the university level.
This course addresses the European historical, social and medical/psychiatric context within which clinical psychology as a field of study, research and practice arose and evolved. As a scientific and relationship-based method of treatment which aims to ease human suffering, clinical psychology has evolved into an elaborate range of techniques, schools of thoughts and clinical practices. Each one of these is linked with developments in theories of the mind occurring in the context.
Throughout the course, we will study different major psychotherapeutic schools, focusing on the ways in which these schools of thought frame the aetiology, ontology, phenomenology and treatment of forms of human suffering. In our work together we will aim to engage critically with the theories, using the course as an opportunity to question the premises of these theories, and to evaluate the the whys and hows of treatment approaches.
To achieve this, the lectures are enriched with case studies, role plays, and real life exposure to a psychotherapeutic practice. In addition, the course will provide students with the opportunity to explore the practice of clinical psychology in Denmark and Austria through study tours.
The course will engage with psychodynamic and cognition-based theories derived from the Austrian, English and American schools. In addition, we will explore what is broadly defined as cognitive behavioral theories, engaging with the differences, as well as the parallels, between these categories of treatment.
Learning Objectives
In this course, you will learn to reflect critically on theory, application and research within the field of clinical psychology. You will be asked to evaluate different perspectives, concepts and practices throughout the semester. The course is designed to help you begin thinking about specific approaches to treating a variety of clients
During our field studies and study tours you will also see how clinical psychology is applied in real world settings, where you will be able to analyze, compare and contrast different perspectives in selected European clinical contexts.
More specifically, you will:
- Become familiar with important concepts and issues surrounding the field of clinical psychology in Europe.
- Become familiar with some of the most prevalent psychotherapeutic approaches in clinical practice
- Define, understand and use the terminology of these major psychotherapeutic schools.
- Analyze case studies and within the context of a specific treatment approach.
- Understand the major foundational skills in psychotherapy, i.e. empathy, active listening, and recognizing different worldviews.
- Think divergently about a single phenomenon. The emphasis on critical engagement with the material will be very strong.
- Be able to reflect on what we learn during lectures and during study tours and synthesize these two experiences
Faculty
Bruce Bradfield
MA in Psychology (Rhodes University, South Africa)
MA in Clinical Psychology (Rhodes University, South Africa)
PhD in Psychology (The University of Cape Town, South Africa)
I have worked as a clinical psychologist in private practice since 2008. My style of practice is informed by psychoanalytic principles derived from relational psychoanalysis, attachment theory, and humanistic approaches to psychotherapy. In my work I engage primarily with adults, working with individuals, couples and families.
Readings
- Textbook: Pomerantz, A.M. (2020). Clinical Psychology. Science, practice, and culture. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.5th Edition.
-
Abramson (2016), Freud and Adler: Differences, The Journal of Individual Psychology, Volume 72,
pp. 140-147
-
Adler (1926). What life could mean to you. (Up to and including Chapter 3) - Emmy van Deurzen Existential therpy: an introduction.
- Pomerantz (2013), Chapter 13, Humanistic Psychotherapy pp. 309 – 330
- Yalom, I. (2005 ) Chapter 1 - The theory and practice of group psychotherapy
- Kellogg and Young (2006) Schema Therapy for Borderline Personality Disorder
- Lamar (2014). Acceptance & Commitment Therapy: An Overview of Techniques and Applications
-
Pomerantz (2013), Chapter 7, Diagnosis and Classification Issues (pp.147- 169)
-
Pomerantz (2013), Chapter 8, The Clinical Interview (pp. 171- 196)
-
Morgan (2019), A couple state of mind: Psychoanalysis of couples and the Tavistock Relationships Model. (Chapters 2 and 3)
- Fonagy, P. Affect regulation and the development of the self
Field studies
Field studies serve to complement your course work by placing you in the professional field. Students will be asked to compare, extend and rethink what we read about and discuss in class.
See Course Schedule for Details
Core Course Week and Study Tours
Core Course Week and Study Tours are an integral part of the core course as we take the classroom on the road to see how theory presented in the classroom is translated to practice in the field. You will travel with your classmates and DIS faculty/staff on two study tours; a short study tour during Core Course Week and a long study tour to a relevant European destination.
Expectations for study tours:
- Participate in all activities
- Engage in discussions, ask questions, and contribute to achieving the learning objectives
- Respect the destination, the speakers, DIS staff, and your fellow classmates
- Represent yourself, your home university and DIS in a positive light
While on a program study tour DIS will provide hostel/hotel accommodation, transportation to/from the destination(s), approx. 2 meals per day and entrances, guides, and visits relevant to your area of study or the destination. You will receive a more detailed itinerary prior to departure.
Core Course Week with Short Study Tour
Theme: Treatment and service in the welfare state – experiences and perspectives from clinical psychology's practice in Denmark
Purpose: This study tour provides you with the opportunity to explore the field of clinical psychology and various practices in Denmark. Academic visits on tour will include meeting with psychological consultants and visiting healthcare institutions.
In addition to the academic activities on study tour, the study tour program is supplemented with cultural visits and events. In the past, cultural visits have included touring castles, museum visits, and experiencing traditional Danish food at a local restaurant.
Timing: See course schedule
Orientation: The study tour activities will be presented to you in the week before departure and a study tour booklet containing your itinerary will be posted on Canvas.
Long Study Tour - Vienna
Themes: The Roots of Clinical European Psychology and Therapeutic Interventions
Purpose: On the tour to Vienna, you will be able to explore the roots of clinical psychology, ranging from Freudian to present-day techniques. The tour will also allow you to explore the culture of the city more thoroughly by attending performances, visiting museum exhibitions, and exploring how the past influences today’s European clinical psychologists.
Timing: See course schedule
Orientation: The study tour activities will be presented to you in the week before departure and a study tour booklet containing your itinerary will be posted on Canvas.
Guest Lecturers
Psychologist and psychotherapist Cristina Montoro
An integrative clinical approach- humanistic & cognitive-behavioral: ''According to my professional experience there isn’t an approach better than others within the field of psychology or psychotherapy. I use models, techniques and concepts from psychodynamic, humanistic, cognitive and behavioral approaches to work with a wide range of mental health problems. The main concept I base my practice on is that all individuals are unique but also share some crucial similarities, beyond sex, race, culture and social status.''
Psychologist Mei-Fun Kuang
Mei-Fun Kuang, PhD. is a clinical psychologist, a Jungian analyst and an expert on global leadership development.
In her presentation she will discuss the work of Carl Jung, outlining her approach to Jungian analysis, and particularly working with dreams in the context of group processes.
Approach to Teaching
My approach to teaching emphasizes five key didactic elements.
1) Critical thinking in engagement with course material - With this in mind, the aim is to engage with the "facts" presented in light of their being derived within particular contexts, relevant to those contexts specifically, and revisioned with emerging knowledge in mind.
2) Socratic dialogue - During seminars my aim would be to engage with you in a discourse that focuses on challenging understanding through questioning and debate. With this in mind, I invite you to engage with me creatively, to ask questions, offer opinions, and generate new ideas.
3) Radical acceptance of the thoughts of others - I believe that freedom of expression is vital for academic interest, and encourage you to hold yourselves and me accountable for the respect and acceptance of the thoughts, opinions and feelings of others in the class.
4) I aim to include in vivo experiences into our learning process. As such, through the use of practical techniques such as role play, I like to include experiential learning into the class environment. Of course, for those of you who don't feel comfortable with these kinds of techniques, your participation can be passive and observational.
5) My aim in seminars will be to create an atmosphere that is conducive to thinking freely, openly, and in a focused manner, about the topics at hand. There may be times during seminars when all we need to do is think, sometimes silently, about a phenomenon which we're studying. We learn through engaging with our thoughts, feelings and at times somatic responses to the material. Reflective engagement at this level is therefore a crucial aspect of the learning process.
6) Participation is everything, so come prepared to express your opinions.
Academic Accommodations
Your learning experience in this class is important to me. If you have approved academic accommodations with DIS, please make sure I receive your DIS accommodations letter within two weeks from the start of classes. If you can think of other ways I can support your learning, please don't hesitate to talk to me. If you have any further questions about your academic accommodations, contact Academic Support academicsupport@dis.dk
Expectations of the Students
You must attend every class. Excused absence includes serious illness and participation in religious holidays. All other absences are unexcused. If you must miss a class, please contact me as soon as possible. After 2 unexplained absences, the DIS Teaching and Learning office will be notified.
Active participation in class includes reading ahead of each class and contributing to class discussions and group activities based on academic knowledge and personal reflections.
To be eligible for a passing grade in this class you must complete all of the assigned work.
Evaluation
The evaluation will be performed based on the combination of the students' gained knowledge with their ability to reflect critically on theory, application and research within the field of clinical psychology. This will be the cornerstone of both the discussions in the lectures, the assignments and the written exams given to them. It is expected that the students through the course will further develop both academically and personally.
Grading
| Assignment |
Percent |
| Attendance/Participation |
15% |
|
Short study tour Reflection Paper |
15% |
|
Group projects |
25% |
|
Long Study Tour Related Paper |
20% |
|
Final semester assignment |
25% |
|
Total |
100% |
Policies
Attendance
You are expected to attend all classes, guest lectures, workshops and field studies. If you must miss a class for religious holidays, medical reasons, or other valid reasons, you must let us know as far in advance as possible of the absence and obtain information about the work you must do to keep up in class. If you miss a class for any other reason (sudden illness, family emergency, etc.), you should get in touch with us as soon as possible and arrange to make up the work missed.
It is crucial for your learning that you stay on task and hand in assignments on or before the due date. All work– including in-class projects – have to be completed in order to pass the class.
Academic Honesty
Plagiarism and Violating the Rules of an Assignment
DIS expects that students abide by the highest standards of intellectual honesty in all academic work. DIS assumes that all students do their own work and credit all work or thought taken from others. Academic dishonesty will result in a final course grade of “F” and can result in dismissal. The students’ home universities will be notified. DIS reserves the right to request that written student assignments be turned in electronic form for submission to plagiarism detection software. See the Academic Handbook for more information, or ask your instructor if you have questions.
Policy on late papers
Late essays will be accepted for up to 3 days after the deadline, with 5 points deducted daily.
Policy for students who arrive late to class
Please come to classes on time as it is disturbing for the lecturer and other students. Repeated lateness will result in a referral to the head of the Office of Acadenic Support.
Use of laptops or phones in class
To establish a positive learning environment, it is important that everyone is present in body and mind, and not distracted by technology or other disruptive behaviors. Therefore, the use of phones is not allowed neither in class nor during study tour visits. Laptops may be used for note-taking only.
Academic Regulations
Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on:
DIS - Study Abroad in Scandinavia - www.disabroad.org
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
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