Introductory Psychology Seminar: Couple Therapy
Abnormal Psychology
Child and Adolescent Psychopathology
Current Psychotherapies
Marriage and the Family
Tests & Measures
Clinical Research Laboratory

Psychology is the science of behavior and mental processes. The objective of this seminar is to introduce the student to some of the questions raised by psychologists and the methods through which psychologists seek answers. A focus of this seminar will be how psychologists apply theory and empirical research findings in clinical work with couples. This seminar will provide a detailed analysis of the major models of couple therapy including traditional behavioral couple therapy, cognitively focused marital treatments, emotion-focused couple therapy and insight-oriented couple therapy. We will examine strategies and techniques, and link these to a basic theoretical framework. Ways in which influential theories have been refined in the past two decades will be clearly delineated.

This course will offer an introduction to psychopathology. Different models of abnormal behavior will be compared, and students will be introduced to the science of classification of mental disorders. The majority of the course will review etiology, diagnostic criteria, prevalence and course of mental disorders. The course will cover many different disorders, following the main text. Related empirical literature will also be required reading. This literature will be on reserve at the library. Finally, modes of prevention and treatment will be discussed in relation to the various disorders.

This course will focus on issues related to child psychopathology and treatment. Case studies will be used to discuss etiology, diagnosis and treatment. The course will include a strong emphasis on cultural issues related to diagnosis and treatment. We will also discuss policy and ethical issues related to children and adolescents. The class will be a mixture of lecture and group discussion.

This course will examine the major systems of psychotherapy. We will cover a wide range of therapeutic approaches, including such diverse approaches as psychoanalytic, cognitive, person-centered, existential, feminist and multicultural therapies.  In considering each approach we will attend to the history, theoretical foundations, theory of personality, process of psychotherapy, and applications. When possible we will review videotaped examples of the therapeutic approach being discussed.  This is a seminar course, and it is expected that you will participate actively in discussions.

This course will offer an introduction to research and theory pertaining to intra-familial relationships, particularly between husband and wife and between parent and child. The course will focus on marital relationships, what processes predict stability and dissolution, prevention and treatment of marital problems, the importance of emotion in parenting and the role of the father in the development of psychopathology.

This is a survey course in psychological testing. The course will examine test development, intelligence testing and personality testing. Historical trends and current issues in measurement will be discussed including ethical issues in testing and testing in ethnically diverse populations and disadvantaged populations.

This laboratory will introduce advanced psychology students to research methodology in the clinical psychology area.  Students will be expected to work as research assistants across the course of the academic year on several ongoing projects including a couple therapy outcome study, human subjects applications, grant writing, a pilot study with anxious older couples, manuscript preparation, presentation/poster preparation and several structured class assignments.  Students will be expected to regularly attend lab meetings, and to participate actively on several projects.  The goal of the laboratory experience is to familiarize students with the process of designing and securing funding for research, collecting and analyzing data, and disseminating research findings.  Students should expect that some periods of the year will be busier than others (e.g. to meet grant application deadlines, etc.) although overall the weekly time commitment will remain consistent across the year.