Clinical developmental psychology
Class: LM-51 - Psychology
A course that deepens the study of the cognitive and affective-relational development in typical and atypical pathways of adolescents and in families. Students study the risk factors and mechanisms of psychopathology using methods of observation, assessment, diagnosis, and the psychological treatment leading up to evaluation and intervention. The multidisciplinary approach of laboratory and internship activities offers students cutting-edge clinical and research models that can be used internationally. Students will be able to operate in public and private environments and contribute to the implementation of prevention, protection or recovery measures for the psychological well-being of minors and families, as well as supporting the developmental and implementation factors needed for prevention.
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Characteristics and objectives
Pursuant to Law no. 163 of 8 November 2021 and subsequent implementation decrees, the holders of a Master’s degree in Developmental Clinical Psychology are qualified to work as professional psychologists in Italy. A strong multidisciplinary approach, as well as the integration between methods belonging to the current clinical and research models in developmental clinical psychology, structure the course offer. This is reflected by the organization of the course offer, the contents provided, and the organization of the individual lessons, in which students will have the opportunity to learn from the most updated contents. The second cycle degree course provides theoretical knowledge and operational tools, useful for the training of skilled professionals working in clinical practice and in research contexts. The Master’s degree in Developmental Clinical Psychology is organized in two main curricula: - Developmental Clinical Psychology and Sport Psychology in the life cycle. The second cycle degree course in Developmental Clinical Psychology is characterized by the adoption of an integrated approach to the assessment and the description of typical developmental pathways. At the same time, the graduate will be able to identify atypical, dysfunctional and psychopathological features, with particular attention to new pathologies emerging in children, adolescents and families (Eg. new addictions, psychopathology and interventions in infancy, childhood and adolescence, research in psychotherapy, the parental function). In the same way, the central aspects of the course are derived from the most innovative contributions of Infant Research, Developmental Neuropsychology, Cognitive Sciences and Research in clinical settings. The second cycle degree course in Developmental Clinical Psychology (curricula in Developmental Clinical Psychology) is based on the study of cognitive and affective-relational development in typical, atypical and / or dysfunctional trajectories, risk factors and psychopathology. Moreover, students will have the opportunity to study methods of observation, assessment, diagnosis, prevention, psychological treatment, and of effectiveness. The structure of the course represents an answer to the need for a master course rooted in the evidence based approaches, and that includes the focus on cognitive sciences and clinical methodology. The course also includes small group activities and visits to lab facilities, equipped for clinical developmental research. Lastly, the second cycle degree course posits internship activities, that might be carried out within University and qualified structures of the region/country. The degree course in Sport Lifecycle Psychology has a distinctive characteristic which responds to workplace evermore requiring demands of a professional psychologist, who is not only specialised in the maximisation of psychological resources linked to sport and performance, but also in the promotion of the psychophysical well-being of persons practicing sport at various levels, observing individual health levels and the positive repercussions at a relational level during the entire lifespan. The educational training received in Clinical Development Psychology (Sport Lifecycle Psychology) is based on the in depth study of development, relevant to the dynamics of the physical activity and sport (at amateur and competitive levels); psychological aspects of sport particularly concentrating on childhood and adolescence, the foundations of Sport Lifecycle Psychology, including general areas of psychology, data analysis, psychology of sport efficiency and decision-making processes in sport; lastly, it includes the clinical area through clinical assessment of physical abilities, psychophysical health, psychopathology and dependency. The programme involves educational training under the form of small group activities, with the aim of providing students with technical competencies, methods and research intervention tools in Sport Psychology and human development. The training programme includes internships within University and organisation/facility/institution/community located in the region/country area.
Occupational opportunities
Pursuant to Law no. 163 of 8 November 2021 and subsequent implementation decrees, the holders of a Master’s degree in Developmental Clinical Psychology are qualified to work as professional psychologists in Italy. He/She will also have all requirements for the enrollment in the Schools of Specialization in Psychotherapy. The Developmental Clinical Psychologist (curriculum in Developmental Clinical Psychology) can pursue the following occupational careers: (a) Psychotherapy: competencies of observation, diagnosis, and prevention, acquired during the Master degree, will be deepened through the psychotherapeutic training and then applied in the clinical work with Health Services dealing with children and families. Here, the Developmental Clinical Psychologist will work in both public and private contexts, and will contribute to the implementation of interventions aimed at the prevention, protection or recovery; (B) Research career in clinical contexts (e.g. with at-risk samples); the graduate in Developmental Clinical Psychology can apply to National and International Doctoral Programs, thanks to the methodological, statistical, and experimental skills gained during the second cycle degree course. The second cycle degree course's curriculum is in line with the most up-to-date models and research methods available and shared by the scientific community. The Developmental Clinical Psychologist (curriculum in Sport Psychology in the life cycle) can pursue the following occupational careers: (a) a career in which the specific competencies in Sport Psychology can be applied in diverse contexts, such as professional organisations of various sports and in sporting federations and associations; in primary, middle schools and high schools, to develop sports education programmes; childhood and adolescent services offered by local associations and national public health services to develop plans for the promotion of health and sport practiced by those of all ages and to monitor such interventions; in university sporting associations; in gyms, in fitness centers and organisations; in sport-recreational centers in tourism-hospitality facilities, in public and private teaching centers, in sporting structures where physical activity is practiced or those of mental-physical rehabilitation, physical activity or sport; as self-employed professionals, independently or in the sector of multi-disciplinary consultation offices which offer services in psychology. (b) a career in research, as researchers in public and private studies and research centers including post-degree further education (eg: doctorate research) in national and international contexts.
