Course

Unit 1

Developmental Psychopathology and Lifespan Approach

Overview of mental disorders across the lifespan. Mental health concerns in infants and children (e.g., neurodevelopmental disorders, attachment disorders). Disorders in adolescence (e.g., anxiety, depression, conduct disorders). Adult mental disorders (e.g., mood disorders, anxiety disorders, personality disorders). Late-life psychopathology (e.g., dementia, late-onset depression). Digital case simulations for observing developmental presentations and practising age-appropriate assessments.

Unit 2

Classification, Diagnosis, and Comorbidities

DSM-5-TR and ICD-11 systems. Symptom patterns and clinical presentations. Diagnostic processes and differential diagnosis. Understanding comorbidity and dual diagnoses. Epidemiology and risk factors. Symptom-tracking apps for monitoring comorbidities and longitudinal outcomes; collaborative data visualisation (Excel, Jamovi) for case analysis.

Unit 3

Models of Onset and Maintenance of Disorders

Biopsychosocial models. Cognitive-behavioural and psychodynamic conceptualisations. Diathesis-stress model. Neurobiological and environmental contributions. Cultural and gender-sensitive perspectives. Online collaborative platforms for case conceptualisation exercises and group discussions.

Unit 4

Evidence-Based Psychotherapy Approaches

Introduction to evidence-based practice in psychotherapy. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Transactional Analysis (TA) and others. Common therapeutic factors across modalities. Building blocks of psychotherapy: case formulation, goal setting, therapeutic alliance, and intervention techniques. Outcome measurement and treatment fidelity. Tele-therapy video simulations for beginner-level practice of session structure, goal setting, and alliance building.

Unit 5

Prevention, Rehabilitation, and Clinical Guidelines

Levels of prevention: primary, secondary, tertiary. Preventive interventions across the lifespan and at-risk populations. Rehabilitation strategies and community-based approaches. Review of scientific and clinical practice guidelines (e.g., NICE, APA, WHO, Indian Psychiatric Society, Rehabilitation Council of India). Ethical, legal, and cultural considerations in prevention and therapy. Digital reference management tools (Zotero, Mendeley) for exploring clinical guidelines and synthesising the literature.

Text Books / References

Textbooks

1. American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., text rev.). APA Publishing.
2. Barlow, D. H., & Durand, V. M. (2021). Abnormal Psychology: An Integrative Approach (9th ed.). Cengage Learning.
3. Clark, D. M., & Beck, A. T. (2012). Cognitive therapy of anxiety disorders: Science and practice. Guilford Press.
4. Kazdin, A. E. (2017). Research design in clinical psychology (5th ed.). Pearson.
5. Norcross, J. C., & Lambert, M. J. (Eds.). (2018). Psychotherapy relationships that work: Volume 1: Evidence-based therapist contributions. Oxford University Press.

Suggested Readings

1. World Health Organization. (2021). International classification of diseases (11th rev.). https://icd.who.int/
2. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2023). Mental health and wellbeing guidelines. https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/
3. Hersen, M., & Thomas, J. C. (Eds.). (2020). Handbook of clinical psychology (2nd ed.). Wiley.

This course is designed as a continuation of the foundational concepts established in Semester 1, offering psychology students a comprehensive, advanced exploration of clinical psychology and psychotherapy. Building on prior knowledge, students will revisit the basic principles of psychological assessment, therapeutic practice, and developmental theory, which serve as the bedrock for more intricate study. The curriculum adopts a lifespan developmental approach, systematically examining mental disorders as they manifest from infancy through childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and into old age. By tracing how psychological conditions evolve across different stages, learners gain a nuanced appreciation of the interplay between biological, psychological, and social factors throughout the human life cycle. Central to the course is an in-depth investigation of the classification and diagnosis of mental disorders, utilising established diagnostic systems such as the DSM and ICD. Students will critically analyse diagnostic criteria, explore the complexities of differential diagnosis, and confront the challenges posed by overlapping symptomatology and comorbidities. The study of aetiology extends beyond surface-level explanations to encompass genetic, neurobiological, environmental, and psychosocial determinants, illustrating how multiple influences converge to shape the onset and progression of psychological disorders. Attention is paid to symptom patterns and the frequent occurrence of comorbid conditions, enabling students to appreciate the multifaceted nature of clinical presentations. The course further integrates epidemiological perspectives, encouraging students to examine prevalence rates, risk factors, and distribution patterns of mental health conditions across diverse populations and age groups. This epidemiological insight not only informs clinical practice but also underscores the importance of prevention and early intervention. Within this context, students are introduced to evidence-based psychotherapy approaches, including cognitive-behavioural, psychodynamic, humanistic, and integrative models. Each therapeutic method is presented with its theoretical foundations, technical components, and empirical support, fostering a critical understanding of how evidence guides intervention choices. In addition, the course delves into contemporary models of psychopathology, offering students a framework to comprehend both the onset and maintenance of mental disorders. Structured interventions are emphasised, with practical instruction on prevention, rehabilitation, and therapeutic techniques meant for various age groups and psychological conditions. Students will explore the application of these interventions in real-world settings, considering how individual, familial, and societal factors influence outcomes. A significant component of the curriculum is dedicated to ethical and culturally competent mental health care. Students are guided through the principles of scientific guidelines and clinical best practices, such as those outlined by the American Psychological Association and other global authorities, the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI). Emphasis is placed on respecting cultural diversity, maintaining professional integrity, and adhering to ethical standards in diagnosis, intervention, and rehabilitation. By grounding clinical decisions in scientifically validated frameworks, the course ensures that future practitioners are equipped to deliver high-quality, responsible, and culturally sensitive care to individuals across the lifespan.

Course Objectives

• To deepen knowledge of the developmental presentation and course of mental disorders across age groups.
• To familiarise students with diagnostic classifications, comorbidities, and epidemiological patterns of mental health conditions.
• To explore various etiological models and evidence-based therapeutic interventions.
• To introduce structured components of evidence-based psychotherapies, including their theoretical and technical underpinnings.
• To examine current prevention and rehabilitation strategies applicable to diverse age groups and psychological conditions.
• To encourage critical thinking around clinical guidelines and the integration of theory and practice in therapeutic work.
• To integrate beginner-level digital tools for diagnosis, intervention, monitoring, and collaborative clinical learning.

Course Outcomes

• CO1: Demonstrate knowledge of mental disorders across different age groups, including infants, children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly.
• CO2: Analyse symptom patterns, diagnostic classifications, comorbidities, and epidemiological data.
• CO3: Explain models of onset, maintenance, and progression of psychological disorders.
• CO4: Apply principles of evidence-based psychotherapy and understand the structure and building blocks of therapeutic interventions.
• CO5: Evaluate prevention and rehabilitation strategies in mental health across different developmental stages.

CO-PO Mapping