Clinical Skills II: Diagnostic Test Procedures

Full course description

Students will learn to conduct a psychodiagnostic interview with adult clients with psychiatric diagnoses and caregivers of patients. Students will also extend their experience in neuropsychological test administration and observation. They will acquire skills in writing a formal report and in communicating their conclusions to the patient.

Following an introduction to the main cognitive domains in relation to brain areas and relevant neuropsychological and psychopathological test procedures, the skills training will focus several disorders: e.g., developmental disorders (including disorders of executive functioning and disorders of learning and attention); schizophrenia; bipolar disorder; depression; eating disorders, acquired brain damage and personality functioning. These conditions will be discussed in relation to the principles of assessment of psychopathology and neuropsychology outlined in the first session. Students will practice their interviewing skills in real client interviews. In addition, students will be trained in neuropsychological history taking and test administration and writing a report.