2024-2025 / PSYC5911-1

Psychopathology - theoretical approaches [D]

Introduction and cross-disciplinary elements

The psychopathology of ageing

Psychological traumas

Relational psychopathology

Integrative psychopathology

Duration

Introduction and cross-disciplinary elements : 16h Th
The psychopathology of ageing : 10h Th
Psychological traumas : 30h Th
Relational psychopathology : 22h Th
Integrative psychopathology : 20h Th

Number of credits

 Master in psychology, professional focus in cognitive and behavioural neuroscience8 crédits 
 Master in psychology, professional focus in clinical psychology8 crédits 
 Master in psychology, professional focus in social, occupational and organizational psychology8 crédits 
 Master in psychology, professional focus8 crédits 

Lecturer

Introduction and cross-disciplinary elements : Adelaïde Blavier
The psychopathology of ageing : Stéphane Adam
Psychological traumas : Adelaïde Blavier
Relational psychopathology : Maria Elena Brianda
Integrative psychopathology : Frank Laroi

Coordinator

Adelaïde Blavier

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

This course offers different theoretical approaches relevant to psychopathology. Each approach is particularly interested in psychological processes which can be dysfunctional and involved in the emergence and/or maintenance of psychopathology.

The theoretical approaches proposed are as follows:

- relational psychopathology

- integrative psychopathology

- psychotrauma

- psychopathology of aging.


On the one hand, the theoretical material is viewed separatly by different lecturers.

On the other hand, an "introduction and transversality elements" part allows you to approach the integration of subjects using theoretical models and clinical cases.

 

 

Introduction and cross-disciplinary elements

The course aims to introduce and integrate the different parts of the teaching unit. 

This part includes the overall introduction of the course, integration models and integration exercises based on clinical vignettes or theoretical elements.

 

The psychopathology of ageing

The course addresses the specificities of psychotherapeutic support for the elderly: do they seek such support? What are the barriers to such care? What necessary and useful adaptations should be considered (e.g., the concept of therapeutic neutrality, etc.)? What is the ultimate goal of these interventions (e.g., maintaining quality of life)?

Based on these elements, the course also explores certain mental disorders that occur during old age: depressive disorders, anxiety disorders (e.g., fear of falling), and loneliness.

Psychological traumas

This course will present the psychological caractheristics of psychotraumatism: history, diagnosis, traumatical events, traumatism in childhood, secondary psychotraumatism, factors of protection and risk, assessment and intervention methods

Relational psychopathology

Description

This course aims to introduce students to the fundamental principles of the complex hypothesis in psychopathology, according to the systemic psychology approach. The course consists of 22 hours of theoretical teaching that will cover the main concepts of relational psychopathology, accompanied by the presentation of clinical cases.


Contents

  • Psychopathology from the perspective of the systemic approach
  • Analysis of interactions, relationship types, and pathological communication in human systems
  • The representational and historical-temporal axis in understanding psychopathology
  • Systemic theoretical models of pathological functioning
  • Resource analysis of human systems
 

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

The student should be able to master the theoretical concepts of the different approaches offered within the course:

- relational psychopathology

- integrative psychopathology

- psychotrauma

- psychopathology of aging.

Students should be able to understand the models of integration of theoretical approaches and, to a lesser extent, to identify the theoretical concepts relevant to the understanding of clinical signs.

 

Introduction and cross-disciplinary elements

At the end of the course sessions, students will have to master the first notions of integration in psychology (foundations, interests, models). They will have to be able to mobilize different theoretical knowledge, from the approaches seen in the course, to promote a transversal understanding of a clinical vignette/clinical elements.

The psychopathology of ageing

Illustrate the specificity and challenges of the clinical approach with elderly individuals. Raise awareness about the particular demands of assessment and intervention methods used in addressing mental health disorders in older adults.

Psychological traumas

The purpose of this course is that at the end, students have a clinical knowledge about psychotraumatisms and can assess and give a diagnosis as well as apply appropriate psychological intervention

Relational psychopathology

At the end of this course the student will be able to consider and analyze psychological suffering within its relational context. The acquired knowledge will help guide the student in formulating hypotheses about the role of relational factors in the prevention, development and maintenance of psychopathology.

Integrative psychopathology

Basic concepts will be taught, illustraed via specific examples of psychopathological states.

 

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

The psychopathology of ageing

///

Psychological traumas

Bachelor in psychology

Relational psychopathology

The theoretical fundamentals of systemic psychology.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Theoretical contents will be taught in ex-cathedra classes or via podcasts. At the end of the semester, two exercises sessions are proposed, focusing on the understanding of a clinical case.

Introduction and cross-disciplinary elements

Theoretical material seen in ex-cathedra class.

Proposal of exercises at each session carried out in small groups.

The psychopathology of ageing

The courses will alternate between traditional content and clinical vignettes (case studies).

Occasionally, and depending on availability, external speakers will be invited to share their expertise on specific topics (for example, loneliness) or on ethical issues specific to clinical psychology for the elderly.

Relational psychopathology

In-person lectures

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Blended learning

Introduction and cross-disciplinary elements

Blended learning

The psychopathology of ageing

Blended learning


Further information:

Classes in person or in the form of podcasts depending on circumstances or students' preferences.

Psychological traumas

Face-to-face course

Relational psychopathology

Face-to-face course

Recommended or required readings

Course materials will be available via ecampus.

Introduction and cross-disciplinary elements

Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus

The psychopathology of ageing

Platform(s) used for course materials:
- MyULiège


Further information:

Course subject: Oral presentation during in-person or online sessions + Slides posted online

Psychological traumas

Articles and PPT slides will be given at the course and on myulg

Relational psychopathology

Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus


Further information:

Required readings :

  • Slides and personal notes;
  • Reference chapters and papers will be provided to students.

Assessment methods and criteria

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

written exam


Further information:

A single exam bringing together all the theoretical approaches, as well as the transversality elements included in the "introduction and transversality elements" section.

 

Introduction and cross-disciplinary elements

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

written exam

The psychopathology of ageing

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

written exam

Psychological traumas

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

written exam

Relational psychopathology

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

written exam

Work placement(s)

Organisational remarks and main changes to the course

Contacts

About course organization (timetables, rooms, organization of exams, etc.): Chloé Jeanne (assistant); Chloe.Jeanne@uliege.be 

About the subject matter: The teacher in charge of the subject during the course ou Fanny Kreush (assistant); fkreusch@uliege.be. Possibility of making an appointment.

About evaluation: Fanny Kreush (assistant); fkreusch@uliege.be and copy Adélaïde Blavier (coordinator); Adelaide.Blavier@uliege.be 

Introduction and cross-disciplinary elements

Assistant :

Fanny KREUSCH - Courriel : fkreusch@uliege.be

Chloé JEANNE - Courriel : chloe.jeanne@uliege.be

The psychopathology of ageing

...

Psychological traumas

Assistants:  laetitia.dipiazza@ulg.ac.be   

Professor: Adelaide.Blavier@ulg.ac.be

Relational psychopathology

Professor: Maria Elena BRIANDA Contact: Mariaelena.Brianda@uliege.be

Association of one or more MOOCs

There is no MOOC associated with this course.