Assessment and Treatment 1 - Preparatory Clinic Course for Clinical Neuro, Child and Adult Psychology

The course aims at preparing students for practical and clinical work in psychology, with particular emphasis on subsequent internal clinical modules in child, adult, and neuropsychology. Key topics include formal requirements for clinical practice, such as relevant legislation, documentation procedures, and familiarity with cognitive ability testing.

A central objective of the course is for students to integrate knowledge and skills acquired from previous theoretical subjects and apply them effectively in clinical settings. For example, students will learn to use insights from personality psychology, developmental psychology, and cognitive psychology to understand and plan appropriate support for patients and their families.

The course provides foundational knowledge and hands-on experience in basic therapeutic techniques, equipping students to manage both straightforward and complex psychological and neuropsychological cases. Instruction will include the use of standardized assessment tools, as well as training in diagnostic evaluation, report writing, and delivering feedback.

A core component of the course is the development of the psychologist’s professional role, particularly in interdisciplinary collaboration with teams and other units within the clinical environment.

Knowledge:

The student

• possesses advanced knowledge of risk and protective factors influencing the development of mental health challenges and disorders, and understands how these factors operate across the lifespan

• is familiar with psychological perspectives on congenital and acquired conditions, functional impairments, and interdisciplinary habilitation and rehabilitation processes

• has foundational knowledge of conducting structured psychological and neuropsychological assessments, serving as a basis for diagnostic evaluations, case formulations, and the development of treatment plans with recommendations for further interventions

• is able to analyze and apply knowledge from core psychological disciplines to new areas within clinical practice

• has broad knowledge of models for collaboration and interaction in health and welfare services.

• understands the structure of the health and welfare system, including relevant laws, regulations, and guidelines, and can integrate this knowledge into professional service delivery

Skills:

The student

• can apply appropriate methods to identify individuals facing social and health-related challenges, such as neglect, bullying, violence, abuse, substance misuse, and socio-economic difficulties

• demonstrates a critical and reflective approach to scientific knowledge in general, and to their own clinical field in particular

• has basic familiarity with cognitive ability tests, including WISC and WAIS

• can document assessments, diagnoses, and treatments in patient records in accordance with current regulations

• has basic proficiency in maintaining patient records in compliance with legal and professional standards

• is capable of addressing complex professional issues, understanding various roles and approaches in working with different types of mental disorders, and navigating collaboration and task distribution across service levels
• can independently apply relational skills essential for establishing therapeutic and collaborative alliances

General competence:

The student

• has acquired fundamental clinical competence and skills necessary for subsequent internal clinical training in child and adolescent psychology, adult psychology, and neuropsychology

• is familiar with ethical dilemmas related to the selection and prioritization of psychological interventions

• can communicate effectively—verbally, in writing, and digitally—on health-related topics, for example through poster presentations, and can take responsibility for leading group discussions on relevant clinical issues

Lectures, skills training, observation, participation in clinical practice, and poster presentations form the core learning activities. The course is divided into two parts: Part A: The instructional component, which takes place on campus. Part B: The practical component, which is conducted both externally (in clinical settings) and on campus through study group sessions.