The course focuses on the most frequent psychic disorders, basics of psychological assessment, and clinical site visits. The field of clinical psychology and its history is introduced in the first part of the course. The following part deals with issues of both general psychopathology (symptoms and syndromes) as well as with special psychopathology (anxiety, mood and personality disorders and schizophrenia). The biological and psychological etiology of the disorders is explained; pharmacological and therapeutic possibilities in treating these disorders are dealt with as well. The disorders are approached in the European tradition, differences between European and US approaches as well as DSM-IV vs. ICD classifications are discussed. The course requires knowledge of psychological assessment and the key psychodiagnostic methods of clinical assessment. The course consists of in-class lectures, case study presentations and discussions and four clinical site visits. Clinical site visits take place at a psychiatric hospital where students meet diagnosed patients under supervision. Students have an opportunity to use their knowledge of respective psychiatric disorders taught in in-class lectures and train them in patient interviewing and observation. Course requirements: active class participation, regular reading (about 50-70 pages per week), an essay on a clinical psychology topic (10-15 pages), a test, work at the clinical sites, and a short concise report about fieldwork experience. The course meets for three hours per week in two sessions.

Katarína Loneková

Dr. Katarína Loneková, Clinical Psychologist, Bohnice Mental Hospital studied psychology at the Comenius University in Bratislava and continued with her PhD at the Charles University in Prague where she participates in teaching psychology classes. In center of her activities in psychology is clinical psychology. She has worked in private psychological ambulances and sanatoriums. Besides her current work in psychiatric hospital, she is a supervisor on a child help-line.

Mabel Rodriguez

Mabel Rodriguez, Department of Psychology, Charles University, Prague and the Prague Psychiatric Center. Dr. Rodriguez is a specialist in Clinical Psychology and Neuropsychology. Her principal clinical expertise and practice is assessment and psychotherapy. The major area of her research is in psychotic disorders, cognitive functions and cognitive rehabilitation.