Integrated course of Clinical and Dynamic PsychologyModule CLINICAL AND PSYCHODYNAMIC RESEARCH
Academic Year 2024/2025 - Teacher: VITTORIO LENZOExpected Learning Outcomes
Course Structure
Required Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of dynamic and clinical psychology.
Attendance of Lessons
Detailed Course Content
Specifically, the program includes the following topics:
PDM-2: Personality Syndromes – Axis P
PDM-2: Mental Functioning Profile – Axis M
PDM-2: Symptomatic Patterns and Subjective Experience – Axis S
Key Concepts of Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
Assessment, Indications, and Case Formulation
Practical Foundations of Psychotherapy
Therapeutic Interventions
Goals and Therapeutic Action
Working with Resistance
Dreams and Fantasies in Dynamic Psychotherapy
Working on Countertransference
Processing and Concluding Therapy
Supervision
Basic Competencies in Long-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy
Research on Psychoanalytic Treatment
Experimental Effectiveness of Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
Clinical Effectiveness of Long-Term Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
Evidence-Based Psychodynamic Treatments for Anxiety Disorders
Contribution of the course to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals
Goal No. 3: Health and Well-being for all at all ages
- Target 3.4: Promote mental well-being and reduce premature mortality through the prevention and treatment of mental disorders.
- Target 3.5: Improve the prevention and treatment of addictions, with particular attention to substance abuse.
Goal No. 4: Quality, equitable, and inclusive education
- Target 4.7: Ensure that students acquire the skills needed to promote sustainable development, including respect for cultural diversity and the promotion of peace.
Teaching methods:
- Lectures
- In-depth study materials
The teaching of Psychodynamic Clinical Practice and Research contributes to these goals by providing students with theoretical and practical tools to understand and address psychological issues with a focus on prevention, promoting well-being, and fostering inclusion. The course also encourages critical reflection on individual and collective dynamics that influence mental health and well-being, supporting the development of transversal skills useful for a more sustainable society.
Textbook Information
Lingiardi, V., & McWilliams, N. (2020). Manuale diagnostico psicodinamico – seconda edizione (PDM-2). Milan: Raffaello Cortina (only Section I "Adults" from page 1 to page 253 for a total of 253 pages).
Gabbard, G. O. (2018). Introduzione alla psicoterapia psicodinamica. Milan: Raffaello Cortina (entire volume for a total of 250 pages).
Ablon, J. S., Kächele, H., Levy, R. A. (2015). La psicoterapia psicodinamica basata sulla ricerca. Milan: Raffaello Cortina (only Part One: chapters 1 to 4 for a total of approximately 100 pages).
Course Planning
| Subjects | Text References | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | PDM-2: Personality Syndromes – Axis P | 1 |
| 2 | PDM-2: Mental Functioning Profile – Axis M | 1 |
| 3 | PDM-2: Symptomatic Patterns and Subjective Experience – Axis S | 1 |
| 4 | Key Concepts of Psychodynamic Psychotherapy | 2 |
| 5 | Assessment, Indications, and Case Formulation | 2 |
| 6 | Practical Foundations of Psychotherapy | 2 |
| 7 | Therapeutic Interventions | 2 |
| 8 | Goals and Therapeutic Action | 2 |
| 9 | Working with Resistance | 2 |
| 10 | Dreams and Fantasies in Dynamic Psychotherapy | 2 |
| 11 | Working on Countertransference | 2 |
| 12 | Processing and Concluding Therapy | 2 |
| 13 | Supervision | 2 |
| 14 | Basic Competencies in Long-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy | 2 |
| 15 | Research on Psychoanalytic Treatment | 3 |
| 16 | Experimental Effectiveness of Psychodynamic Psychotherapy | 3 |
| 17 | Clinical Effectiveness of Long-Term Psychodynamic Psychotherapy | 3 |
| 18 | Evidence-Based Psychodynamic Treatments for Anxiety Disorders | 3 |
Learning Assessment
Learning Assessment Procedures
The exam will be oral. Students are expected to have an adequate understanding of the theoretical models characterizing psychodynamic clinical practice, as well as an understanding of their applications in diagnosis and psychotherapy. Additionally, students must demonstrate the ability to integrate these models with empirical research findings, highlighting a critical and reflective approach in data analysis and clinical evaluation.
Evaluation criteria for the exam:
- Clarity and precision in presenting psychodynamic content and methods
- Correct and appropriate use of specialist language
- Breadth and depth of knowledge on the topics covered
- Ability for critical analysis and independent reflection
- Skill in making interdisciplinary connections with other areas of psychology and related sciences
- Ability to creatively rework acquired knowledge
- Competence in applying theoretical knowledge to clinical and operational contexts
Examples of Common Questions and/or Exercises
Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises
Questions will refer to the course content. Below are some examples of exam questions:
What is meant by levels of personality organization in the PDM-2?
What are personality syndromes according to the PDM-2?
What is meant by depressive personality?
What is meant by the mental functioning profile in the PDM-2?
What is meant by subjective experience in Axis S of the PDM-2?
What is meant by case formulation in the PDM-2?
What are the therapeutic interventions in psychodynamic practice and what characteristics distinguish them?
How is the interpretive intervention used in psychodynamic psychotherapy?
What are the key concepts of psychodynamic psychotherapy?
What is meant by working on resistance in psychodynamic psychotherapy?
What is meant by outcome research?
What are the main findings of empirical research on the clinical effectiveness of psychodynamic psychotherapy?