4 ECVET/ECTS / EQF level 7 / 3rd, 4th, and 5th year of study – IP
Module Description:
This module provides a comprehensive overview of health and psychopathology, emphasizing developmental, neurobiological, and clinical factors influencing mental health. The focus is on diagnosis, classification, and therapeutic work with individuals exhibiting various forms of psychopathological manifestations. Through an integrative approach, students will develop the ability to analyze and treat mental disorders in accordance with the latest research and clinical guidelines. The module links contemporary theoretical concepts of mental health with practical clinical skills in psychotherapeutic assessment and interventions.
The module includes:
- Developmentally Specific Aspects of Mental Health – Understanding mental health through different stages of the life cycle.
- Classification and Diagnostics – Overview of DSM-5 and ICD-11 diagnostic criteria and classifications of mental disorders.
- Neurobiological Foundations – The role of the brain and neurochemical processes in the onset and development of mental disorders.
- Mental health disorders, including:
- Mood disorders (depressive, bipolar disorders)
- Anxiety disorders
- Somatoform disorders
- Trauma- and stress-related disorders
- Psychotic disorders
- Sleep disorders
- Eating disorders
- Personality disorders…
- Interdisciplinary approach to treatment – Collaboration between psychotherapists, psychiatrists, neurologists, psychologists, and other professionals in the treatment of mental disorders.
– Psychotherapeutic and pharmacological approaches – Integration of different treatment methods, with an emphasis on combining psychotherapeutic and pharmacological strategies.
Learning Outcomes:
Competencies
By the end of the module, students will be able to:
a) Assess mental health through developmental and clinical perspectives.
b) Apply classification systems (DSM-5, ICD-11) in the identification and diagnosis of mental disorders.
c) Integrate theoretical and neurobiological knowledge into clinical practice.
d) Develop individualized therapeutic plans according to client needs.
Knowledge
By the end of the module, students will acquire:
a) Understanding of key developmental and psychopathological variations in mental health.
b) Familiarity with diagnostic methods and their limitations.
c) Insight into the neurobiological foundations of mental disorders and their clinical application.
d) Knowledge of relevant therapeutic strategies and multidisciplinary collaboration.
Skills
By the end of the module, students will develop:
a) The ability to recognize and perform differential diagnosis of mental disorders.
b) Application of clinical interventions tailored to the developmental age of clients.
c) Effective communication of findings and therapeutic recommendations to professional teams and client families.
d) Critical analysis and application of research findings in clinical practice.
Assessment of Knowledge and Competencies:
– Written assignment – case analysis and application of diagnostic criteria
– Differential diagnosis test
– Oral presentation on integrative therapeutic approaches
Total Learning Hours:
| Total learning hours: 120 hours | Independent study: 40 hours |
| Contact hours: 75 hours | Knowledge assessment (exams and presentations): 5 hours |