PhD in Clinical Psychology | Research and Professional Courses

The Clinical Practice courses provide a broad foundation for the development of a generalist practitioner, with diverse training in multiple psychotherapeutic orientations, assessment, consulting, and empirically-validated approaches.

History and Systems of Psychology
CP 700................2 Units
Students explore the organizing perspectives and therapeutic approaches which have shaped contemporary Western psychology. The philosophical principles of psychological models from antiquity to the present era are examined, including those associated with religious traditions, medicine, and the schools of psychoanalysis, behaviorism, gestalt, and humanistic psychology, and "fourth force" or multicultural and cross-cultural psychology. The course includes a discussion of the history and development of psychology as a scientific discipline and clinical psychology as a profession.

Advanced Psychopathology I
CP 730................2 Units
In the context of the historical and cross-cultural perspectives of psychopathology, students focus on the diagnosis, etiology, treatment, and prognosis of disturbed behavior. The multi-axial system of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders is the central organizing structure of the course. Emphasis is on major Axis I disorders. A grade of "B" or better is required as a condition for students to be eligible to begin their pre-doctoral internship placement.

Advanced Psychopathology II
CP 731................2 Units
Building on Advanced Psychotherapy I, this course examines major syndromes included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, with an emphasis on Axis II disorders. Other classification systems, multiaxial diagnosis, the role of society, culture, and biology, as well as meta-issues surrounding the diagnostic enterprise are explored. Prerequisite: CP730. A grade of "B" or better is required as a condition for students to be eligible to begin their pre-doctoral internship placement.

Biological Foundations of Human Behavior
CP 735................2 Units
Students review the current research and theories about the biological bases of behavior and psychotherapy. Specific topics include: the organization of the nervous system, sleep-wake patterns, eating disorders, stress, and various brain pathologies and their electrochemical aspects. Individual and cultural differences are discussed.

Practicum Supervision I
CL 747................0 Units
Students will participate in supervision groups devoted to basic psychotherapy skills. These practicum forums offer small group supervision with exercises in the basic foundations of holding the psychotherapeutic frame. Pass/No Pass

Practicum Supervision II
CL 748................0 Units
Students will participate in ongoing case supervision being conducted in practical settings by more advanced practical and internship students, with an emphasis of sustaining empathic immersion and strengthening a working alliance. Pass/No Pass

Practicum Supervision III
CL 749................0 Units
This practicum supervision fieldwork is devoted to continued supervision of advanced students' case material with emphasis on working with the dynamics of transferences and countertransferences as well as the identification and working issues addressing diversity issues. Pass/No Pass

Practicum in Psychotherapeutic Process
CP 750................2 Units
CP 747, 748, 749 Prerequisite
The practicum class is devoted to small group supervision of psychotherapy cases being conducted in internship settings or the student’s private practice. Emphasis is placed on helping each student understand the working alliance, develop a resilient frame for treatment, work with the dynamics of transference and countertransference, address diversity issues, and to sustain empathic immersion in the client's internal world. Pass/No Pass. Pass required for students to begin pre-doctoral internships.

Practicum in Group Dynamics
CL 751................2 Units
This class provides a critical overview of principles, theories, and practical applications of various techniques in group psychotherapy, as well as issues in group process, including: stages in group formation and development, cohesiveness, transference and countertransference, cross-cultural dynamics, strategies and specific interventions. The curative forces operating in a group setting are illuminated through role-playing, case discussions, readings, experiential exercises, and intensive group participation. Pass/No Pass

Practicum in Clinical Supervision and Consultation
CL 752................2 Units
This class provides an exposure to the professional role of psychologists as supervisors and consultants. An overview of approaches to clinical supervision and consultation are examined with special attention paid to the interpersonal and psychodynamic aspects of the supervisor-supervisee interactions. The goal is ultimately for students to develop an "internal supervisor". Ethical, diversity, and other professional issues are discussed. Pass/No Pass

Social Foundations of Human Behavior
CL 800................2 Units
This course reviews the development and functions of social motives, as well as examines research and theory in areas such as: interpersonal behavior, cross-cultural psychology, group dynamics, attitude/value formation and change, aggression, altruism, sex and gender roles. Discussion also includes clinical relevance of social psychological research.

Developmental Psychology through Adolescence
CP 830................2 Units
This course studies developmental theories, constructs, research, and methods as they contribute to understanding normative human development and its variants. Emphasis is on the psychological and neurological development from conception through infancy and attachment issues to adolescence. Clinical implications, cultural considerations, and contemporary trends are discussed.

Legal, Ethical, and Professional Practice
CP 832................2 Units
The ethical and legal considerations involved in the practice of clinical and scientific psychology are reviewed, with an emphasis on the American Psychological Association’s ethical guidelines. The course features discussion of key issues involved in academic work, research, and professional practice with a view towards the development of ethical and professional judgment. Topics include: forensic psychology, cultural competence, malpractice, and legal responsibilities. Minimum grade of "B" required as a prerequisite for students to be eligible for their pre-doctoral internship placement.

Psychology of Aging
CP 833................1 Unit
This course examines the psychology of the aging process and covers a range of therapeutic techniques in dealing with elderly persons. Also includes etiology of problems of the elderly, assessment, evaluation, and treatment. Legal, ethical, cultural issues, and community resources are discussed. The course meets the criteria set forth by the California Board of Psychology for training in the Psychology of Aging and Gerontology required to sit for licensure.

Partner and Spousal Abuse
CL 834................1.5 Units (Online)
The dynamics and systemic effects of relational conflict which emerge in the form of partner and spousal physical and emotional abuse are examined with an emphasis on professional intervention and cultural issues. The course meets the criteria set forth by the California Board of Psychology for training in Spousal and Partner Abuse required to sit for licensure.

Cognitive-Behavioral Psychotherapy
CP 835................1 Unit
This course presents the theory and practice of cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy. Techniques modeled include: pleasant events scheduling, daily mood logs, automatic thought recognition, behavioral rehearsal, thought stopping, self-instructional training, systematic desensitization, imaginal exposure, response prevention, and contingency contracting. The role of cognitive-behavioral approaches within the overall therapeutic process is covered.

Cognitive and Affective Foundations of Human Behavior
CL 836................3 Units
This class will examine the interdependence of cognition and emotion in psychological experience. Discussion of the cognitive processes include: creative thinking, conscious and unconscious processing, and problem solving. Related areas are also covered: sensation, perception, memory, learning, cognition, emotion, motivation, and psychophysiological processes. Discussion of emotion involves the biological and social bases of emotion, its cognitive correlates and the impact of emotional states.

Psychotherapy with Diverse Populations
CP 845................2 Units
Cultural competency or the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to work effectively as a diversity-sensitive clinician is an ethical responsibility in a multicultural society. This course examines the role of culture in counseling, psychotherapy, and assessment, as well as key issues in the provision of psychological services to under-represented populations. Biases in traditional clinical theory and practice are discussed, while appropriate intervention strategies with individuals of different cultural backgrounds are introduced. Depth psychological concepts in relation to culture, such as the notion of an ethnic or minority unconscious, are also explored.

Principles of Psychopharmacology
CP 873................2 Units
This course covers the general principles of psychopharmacology, as well as an overview of the pertinent neurochemistry. The indications and side effects of common psychoactive medications will be discussed. The impact of medications on psychotherapy process and working with prescribing psychiatrist will be examined.

Alcohol, Chemical Dependency, & Addictive Behaviors
CL 900................1.5 Units
This course covers the theory and treatment of addictive behaviors. Areas to be covered in this course include: current theories of etiology, physiological and medical aspects, dual-diagnosis, cultural and ethnic considerations, iatrogenic dependency, treatment approaches, family issues, prevention and education, and ethical and legal issues. The course meets the criteria set forth by the California Board of Psychology for training in Alcoholism/Chemical Dependency Detection and Treatment required to sit for licensure.

Human Sexuality
CP 901................1 Unit
This course covers physiological, psychological and social-cultural variables associated with sexual identity, sexual behavior, and sexual disorders, with a focus on state of the sexual therapy practices for the various sexual dysfunctions. Lectures, videos, readings, and class discussions provide a practical overview of the diversity of human sexuality. The course meets the criteria set forth by the California Board of Psychology for training in Human Sexuality required to sit for licensure. Pass/No Pass

Child Abuse Assessment and Reporting
CP 902................1 Unit (Online)
The overall objective of this course is to present the issues, ethics, laws, and appropriate procedures regarding child abuse, with emphasis on assessment, reporting responsibilities, immediate crisis interventions, resources, and the concept of vicarious traumatization in the psychotherapeutic treatment of child abuse situations. Cultural issues are discussed. The course meets the criteria set forth by the California Board of Psychology for training in Child Abuse Assessment and Reporting required to sit for licensure. Pass/No Pass

Advanced Clinical Practicum
CP 910................2 Units
During this course, students receive supervision and consultation regarding actual clinical cases from their internships. Students give case presentations addressing such areas as multi-axial diagnosis, treatment planning, clinical interventions, referrals and adjunctive services, legal and ethical issues, theoretical orientation, and testing and assessment. In their presentations, students utilize clinical approaches developed in the previous psychotherapy classes.

Empirically Validated Treatments
CL 912................2 Units
This course is an overview of clinical treatments that are supported by scientific study and data. The latest findings in outcome research regarding therapeutic interventions are presented. Optimal interventions or combinations of interventions for the major disorders are discussed, as well as the integration of individual, group, and psychopharmacological therapy.

Psychological Assessment I
CP 930................2 Units
The psychological assessment course series begins with the study of the general principles of assessment and test construction, including: standardization, validity, reliability, and the appropriate and ethical use of assessment for individuals from diverse backgrounds. The administration, scoring and interpretation of the Wechsler Intelligence Scales, projective drawings, the Bender-Gestalt and the MMPI-2 are highlighted, with special emphasis on integrating test results with clinical judgment, report writing, and communication of test results.

Psychological Assessment II
CP 931................2 Units
This course continues to explore psychodiagnostic assessment tools with the introduction of projective personality tests. A focus of the course is the administration, scoring, and interpretation of the Thematic Appreciation Test (TAT), and the Rorschach Psychodiagnostic. Special attention is given to the integration of the cognitive and emotional aspects of the personality in order to gain a sophisticated and broad understanding of an individual’s psychological functioning and the relevance of cultural factors.

Psychological Assessment III
CL 938................2 Units
This course serves as a practicum and applies the knowledge and skills of the first two courses on Psychological Assessment. Students score, interpret, and report the assessment findings from administering a battery of tests on actual clinical cases. This real world experience and training will include diversity and ethical considerations, and further the development of assessment abilities (with cognitive, personality, objective and projective tests), including proficiency in the integration of scores from multiple psychometric instruments with clinical interview and observation.

Personal Psychotherapy
CP 950................No Units assigned (Degree requirement)
During the program, students must take part in a total of 60 hours of personal psychotherapy (preferably with a depth orientation) with a licensed psychotherapist or certified analyst of their choice.