PSYCHOLOGICAL INTERVIEW TECHNIQUES

The course includes lectures supported by PowerPoint presentations and video materials, along with laboratory activities that involve guided practical exercises on transcripts of psychological interviews and the analysis of clinical cases.

Basic knowledge of dynamic and clinical psychology.

Attendance is recommended but not mandatory.

The program specifically includes the following topics:

Principles and strategies of case formulation

Signs, symptoms, and states of mind

Topics and obstacles in the psychological interview

Aspects of the Self, relationships, and personality functioning

Techniques for focusing and planning the psychological interview

Conflicts in the psychological interview

Emotions and affectivity in the psychological interview

Reflective function and the psychological interview

Identifications and the psychological interview

Identity in the psychological interview

Defense mechanisms in the psychological interview

Models of Self and Other in the psychological interview

Objects, object relations, and the psychological interview

Drive dynamics in the psychological interview

Sense of agency in the psychological interview

Motivational systems in the psychological interview

Shedler–Westen Assessment Procedure-200 (SWAP-200) and the psychological interview

SWAP-200 and personality

Clinical–Diagnostic Interview (CDI)

Structure of the SWAP-200

SWAP-200 and the prototype matching method

Contribution to the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being

Target 3.4: Promote mental health through the understanding of psychodynamic processes and the use of interview techniques for the prevention and treatment of psychological disorders.

Target 3.5: Strengthen the ability to recognize and address problems related to addictions or risky behaviors, through personality assessment tools and case formulation.

Goal 4: Quality Education

Target 4.7: Ensure that students acquire clinical and relational skills for working with diverse individuals, developing listening abilities, understanding, and respect for cultural and psychological diversity.

1. Horowitz, M. J. (2020). Case Formulation. Pianificare il trattamento psicoterapeutico. Milano: Raffaello Cortina (the entire volume, approx. 100 pages).

2. Amadei, G., De Coro, A., Lang, M., Madeddu, F., & Rizzi, P. (2003). La comprensione clinico-dinamica del colloquio. Una guida*. Milano: Raffaello Cortina (the entire volume, approx. 330 pages).

3. Shedler, J., Westen, D., & Lingiardi, V. (2014). La valutazione della personalità con la SWAP-200. Milano: Raffaello Cortina (selected sections: Chapter 3, pp. 67–100; Appendices 1–2, pp. 421–464; Appendices 4–7, pp. 475–576; approx. 180 pages in total).

The final examination will be oral. Students are expected to demonstrate adequate knowledge of the theoretical models underlying the psychological interview in a clinical–dynamic framework, as well as an understanding of their applications to diagnosis, clinical intervention, and research. In particular, students will be required to show:

• knowledge of the main theoretical models and clinical–dynamic tools of the psychological interview;-
•  ability to apply these models to case formulation, interview analysis, and personality assessment;
• understanding of the affective, motivational, and relational dynamics emerging in the clinical interview;
• integration of theoretical knowledge, empirical research findings, and clinical practice;
• a critical and reflective approach to data analysis and clinical evaluation.

Exam questions will be based on the program contents. Examples include:

• What is the purpose of case formulation?
• What is the difference between symptoms, mental states, and observable phenomena in a psychological interview?
• What difficulties or problems may arise in case formulation?
• How can aspects of the Self and relationships be identified in an interview?
• Which tools or techniques help focus attention on the patient during the interview?
• How can conflicts and motivations be recognized in the clinical interview?
• Why is it important to observe emotions and affects in the interview?

• How is the reflective function assessed in the interview?

• How can processes of identification and identity construction be evaluated in the interview?

• What is meant by Self and Other, and why is it useful for understanding relationships in the interview?
• How can internal objects, object relations, and drives be identified in the interview?
• What does “sense of agency” mean and why is it relevant in the psychological interview?
• What is the purpose of the SWAP, and how can it be used to assess personality?
• How can research findings be used to support clinical assessment?
• In what ways do interview techniques and strategies contribute to building psychological diagnoses and interventions?