PSYCHOLOGY 558: PROSEMINAR IN COUNSELING/CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY

 

Fall 2001

 

Gerardo M. Gonzαlez, Ph.D.

 

MW 1130-1245

 

ACD 308

 

Syllabus

 

Content Area A: General Issues

 

Aug. 29, Sept. 5 - Overview

 

Readings

Sept. 5 Discussant(s) Textbook - Kendall, Butcher, & Holmbeck Ch. 1: Overview of research design in clinical issues.

 

Sept. 10, 12 – Ethical and cultural issues

 

Readings

Sept. 10 Discussant(s) - Ch. 2: Ethical perspectives in clinical research.

Sept. 12 Discussant(s) Ch. 3: Ethnicity, gender, and cross-cultural issues in clinical research.

 

Sept. 17, 19 – Statistical and professional issues

 

Readings

Sept. 17 Discussant(s) - Ch. 4: Statistical methods in clinical research

Sept. 19 Presentation - Ch. 5: Publishing and communicating research findings: Seeking scientific objectivity.

 

Content Area B: Psychological Assessment

 

Sept. 24, 26 – Measurement approaches

 

Readings

Sept. 24 Discussant(s) - Ch. 6: Psychometric issues in assessment research.

Sept. 26 Presentation - Ch. 8: Observational measurement: Measure development and research issues.

 

Oct. 1, 3 – Personality assessment

 

Readings

Oct. 1 Discussant(s) - Ch. 7: Research design in objective personality assessment.

Oct. 3 Presentation Ch. 9: Methodological issues in research using projective methods.

 

Oct. 1 - Research Proposal Due

 

Oct. 8, 10 - Innovative directions in assessment

 

Readings

Oct. 8 Discussant(s) - Ch. 10: Methodological issues in research on neuropsychological and intellectual assessment.

Oct. 10 Presentation - Ch. 11: Methodological issues in psychophysiological research.

 

Content Area C: Treatment Issues

 

Oct. 15, 17 – Individual vs. group approaches

 

Readings

Oct. 15 Discussant - Ch. 13: Applications of time-series (single-subjects) designs in clinical psychology.

Oct. 17 Presentation - Ch. 17: Meta-analytic research methods.

 

Oct. 22, 24 – Process v. outcome methods

 

Readings

Oct. 22 Presentation - Ch. 14: Therapy outcome research methods.

Oct. 24 Presentation - Ch. 15: Treatment process research methods.

 

Oct. 29, 31 - - New strategies in intervention

 

Readings

Oct. 29 Discussant – Article: Sue (1998). 

Oct. 31 Presentation - Ch. 16: Research methods in community-based treatment and prevention.

 

Content Area D: Research Issues in Psychopathology

 

Nov. 5, 7 – Developmental issues

 

Readings

Nov. 5 Presentation - Ch. 18: Conceptual and methodological issues in developmental psychopathology research.

Nov. 7 Presentation - Ch. 21: Research method in pediatric psychology.

 

Nov. 12, 14 – Issues for adult populations

 

Readings

Nov. 12 Presentation - Ch. 19: Research methods in adult psychopathology.

Nov. 14 Group Presentation - Ch. 20: Methodological issues in adult health psychology.

 

Nov. 19, 21 – Recent developments

 

Readings

Nov. 19 Discussant – Article: Swindle, et al.  (2000). 

Nov. 21 Group Presentation - Ch. 22: Research methods in behavioral genetics.

 

Content Area E: Focused Issues

 

Nov. 26, 28 – Research with youths

 

Readings

Nov. 26 Presentation - Ch. 24: Research methods with children.

Nov. 28 Group Presentation - Ch. 25: Research methods with adolescents.

 

Dec. 3, 5 – Family issues

 

Readings

Dec. 3 Presentation - Ch. 26: Research methods with older adults.

Dec. 5 Group Presentation - Ch. 28: Research methods with families.

 

Dec. 10 - Prescription privileges for psychologists: To medicate or not to medicate?

 

Readings

Dec. 10 Group Presentation Article: Hayes & Heiby (1996). 

 

Dec. 12 - Final Research Paper Due  1130 – 1245

 


Required Readings

      Hayes, S. C. & Heiby, E.  (1996).  Psychology's drug problem: Do we need a fix or should we just say no?  American Psychologist, 51, 198-206.

      Kendall, P.C., Butcher, J.N., & Holmbeck, G.N.  (2001).  Handbook of research methods in clinical psychology. (2nd Ed.).  New York: John Wiley & Sons.

      Sue, S.  (1998).  In search of cultural competence in psychotherapy and counseling.  American Psychologist, 53, 440-448.

      Swindle, R. Jr., Heller, K., Pescosolido, B., & Kikuzawa, S.  (2000).  Responses to nervous breakdowns in America over a 40-year period.  American Psychologist, 55, 740-749.

 

All journal readings are available through the Electronic Reserve System (ERES) located on the CSUSM Library and Information Services website.  The password for PSYC 558 is “issues” (lowercase, no quotes).

 

Recommended Readings:

      American Psychologist (journal).

      APA.  (1992).  Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct.  American Psychologist, 47, 1597-1611.

      APA.  (1993).  Guidelines for providers of psychological services to ethnic, linguistic, and culturally diverse populations.  American Psychologist, 48, 45-48.

      Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice (journal).

      Clinton, J. J., McCormick, K., & Bestemen, J.  (1994).  Enhancing clinical practice: The role of practice guidelines.  American Psychologist, 49, 30-33.

      Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders.  (4th Ed.).  (1994).  Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association.

      Journal of Abnormal Psychology (journal).

      Journal of Clinical Psychology (journal).

      Journal of Consulting & Clinical Psychology (journal).

      Journal of Counseling Psychology (journal).

      Journal of Psychotherapy Practice and Research (journal).

      Professional Psychology: Research and Practice (journal).

      Psychotherapy (journal).

      Psychotherapy Research (journal).

      Publication manual of the American Psychological Association.  (5th Ed.).  (2001).  Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

 

Course Description

This course is an in-depth seminar designed to investigate and discuss current topics in counseling/clinical psychology, including assessment issues, intervention approaches, professional ethics, multicultural issues, and clinical research.  Students will present formal written and oral presentations and lead discussions of advanced issues related to counseling/clinical theory, research, and practice.  (Prerequisites: Enrollment in graduate program or consent of the instructor).

 

Course Objectives:

(a)  To learn the advanced body of knowledge and research in clinical psychology and psychopathology.

(b)  To evaluate and appreciate the diversity of clinical psychology issues and perspectives.

(c)  To enhance skills in critical thinking, analysis of the literature, and articulation of findings.

(d)  To integrate broad psychological issues with clinical psychology.

 

Course Expectations

Every student is expected to complete the weekly assigned readings prior to class and to participate in discussions.  The readings are intended to foster controversy, critical thinking, discourse, and insight.  During the semester, each student will synthesize, evaluate, and summarize one-half of a selected chapter; and lead a discussion (approximately 30 minutes) of the issues.  The second half of the reading will be presented by another class member or the instructor.  A schedule for identifying discussants will be distributed in class and discussions will begin the second week of the semester.

 

Each student will conduct two formal class presentations (one individual and one group) accompanied by written summaries.  An individual presentation should be approximately 45 minutes including time for discussion (unless two presentations are scheduled for the same session).  An APA-style written summary (minimum 1000 words) must be submitted on the day of the presentation.  A group presentation may involve 4 class members and should be one hour plus discussion.  An APA-style written summary (minimum 1000 words) of each student's contribution must be submitted on the day of the presentation.  The individual and group presentations should be based the topic of the selected chapter.  Visual aids and other creative ways to enhance the presentations are strongly encouraged.  A calendar for scheduling individual presentations (which begin the third week of the semester) and group presentations (which begin the eleventh week of the semester) will be distributed in class. 

 

In the fifth week of the semester, students will submit a research proposal toward a final major research paper related to counseling/clinical psychology issues.  The APA-style written proposal (minimum 1250 words) may be a major review of the literature or an empirical study (approved by the instructor).  A review of the literature explores the state of the research on a selected topic that typically includes an introduction of the issue (defining and clarifying the issue/problem), a summary of relevant research articles, identification of the relationships and gaps in the literature, and a discussion of findings and recommendations toward resolving unclear issues/inconsistencies.  The final research paper (minimum 2500 words) should be written in APA style.  Drafts of papers for comment are welcome.

 

Grading Procedures

A letter grade (A, B, or C) with appropriate + or - will be issued for each assignment.  Assignments will be evaluated on their organization, conceptualization, soundness, accuracy, and clarity.  The final course grade will be based on the overall grade profile.  All assignments are expected on time.  Late assignments will be deducted one letter grade.  The following is the list of required assignments and their respective weights toward the course grade.

 

Leading Discussion and Class Participation                                (10%)

Individual Presentation and Write Up                                        (25%)

Group Presentation and Write Up                                             (25%)

Research Proposal                                                                    (15%)

Final Research Paper (25%)

 

Office Hours

Mondays and Wednesdays 1330 – 1430 or by appointment

Office – UNIV 308

Phone – 760-750-4094

E-mail - ggonz@csusm.edu

Website - www.csusm.edu/gonzalez/