HSERV 231 - Psychopathology and Therapeutic Intervention in Mental Health

Credits: 4
Variable Credit Course: No

Lecture Hours: 44
Lab Hours: 0
Worksite/Clinical Hours: 0
Other Hours (LIA/Internships): 0

Course Description: Survey of various treatment approaches in mental health, substance abuse treatment, etiology of mental disorders, and DSM diagnostic criteria. Required course for both Human Services degrees (including fast track students).

Prerequisite: None.
Meets FQE Requirement: No
Integrative Experience Requirement: No

Student Learning Outcomes

Review major classes of mental disorders and standard approaches to treatment of those disorders.
Recognize a variety of perspectives regarding the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders.
Review “evidence-based practice” and demonstrate the ability to evaluate evidence supporting therapeutic interventions.
Review the components of assessment, diagnosis, and treatment.
Review the organization and use of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM 5).
Discuss the concept of “recovery,” Recovery Oriented Systems of Care, and the Program for Assertive Community Treatment (PACT).
Discuss “Positive Psychology,” a Therapeutic Lifestyle Change (TLC), and a compassionate appreciation of mental illness.
Recognize systematic inequality and discrimination.
PROGRAM OUTCOME: Demonstrate an understanding of the nature and treatment of addiction, psychopathology (including knowledge of motivation to change), physiology of addiction, and mental illness.

Course Contents

Major classes of mental disorders and standard approaches to treatment of those disorders.
A variety of perspectives regarding the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders.
“Evidence-based practice” and the ability to evaluate evidence supporting therapeutic interventions.
Components of assessment, diagnosis, and treatment.
Organization and use of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM 5).
Concept of “recovery,” Recovery Oriented Systems of Care, and the Program for Assertive Community Treatment (PACT).
“Positive Psychology,” a Therapeutic Lifestyle Change (TLC), and a compassionate appreciation of mental illness.
Systematic inequality and discrimination.

Instructional Units: 4