Module A: Clinical and Theoretical Principles in Transcultural Psychotherapy
The multidimensional approach of these two modules includes clinical, cultural and historical aspects of psychopathology, sexual disorders and diagnostic classification, psychosomatics, group psychoanalysis and child and adolescent psychoanalysis. Transcultural psychotherapy and ethnopsychoanalysis are the cornerstones of these modules. Traditional therapies are presented from the perspective of medical anthropology. This module prepares students to work as clinical psychologists and psychoanalysts in a multicultural society. Being confronted with otherness is a constant, and particularly when working with people suffering from mental health problems, this otherness implies a different cultural context that needs to be explored – both scientifically and therapeutically. Students will learn that Western classification systems are linked to culture. Cultural awareness can therefore be seen as one of the key features of these modules.
Module B: Research Methods
This module will introduce students to research paradigms in the psychotherapeutic and psychoanalytic fields. The teaching content will include research methodology and specific research methods. Students will learn how to put research projects into practice. This will include lectures on different techniques of sampling, data collection and analysis.
Students will be asked to think about the typology and quality of the data they collect for their projects: verbal / written / observational reports. They will be taught different forms of research, including phenomenological, ethnographic, longitudinal, comparative and evaluative designs. Particular emphasis will be placed on research methods in the ethnographic field: field research in its classical form (transcultural studies in various countries) as well as field research techniques in a contemporary psychotherapeutic form (e.g. diaries etc.).
Module C: Practical workshops
This module offers practical workshops in which students learn to apply diagnostic and treatment techniques to specific patients and environments. The courses, mainly seminars and supervisions, accompany the in-depth psychotherapeutic work that students will carry out in parallel. The combination of clinical work and supervision ensures that students are well prepared as they begin to work with patients, and gives them ample opportunity to ask specific questions and discuss them in class with colleagues and teachers.
This module includes case presentation classes, in which students not only have the opportunity to present and discuss their own clinical cases, but also to improve their presentation techniques, both clinically and theoretically.
Module D: Clinical psychology and psychopathology
This module provides students with in-depth, specialized knowledge in the field of clinical psychology and psychopathology. The focus will be on individual patient mental health problems and generalized diagnoses will be one of the subjects to learn about for their future professional life – this is an important aspect as there is a tension between clinical diagnosis and individual treatment. In addition, students will gain knowledge of the issue of family structure and mental health problems, and obtain a solid grounding in the history of French clinical psychology – including current developments that show inter- and trans-disciplinary approaches. In the respective seminars of this module, clinical case studies will be discussed.
Module E: Practice
The internship will give students access to an institution in the mental health field. This will enable them to work with different patient groups and be part of various teams of mental health professionals. In addition to the institutional internship, students will begin to work with patients individually, under supervision as part of the solidarity clinic. This will enable them to develop their own identity as professional clinical psychologists based on clinical work with patients, supported by their supervisors. Internships and clinical practice with patients should include experiences in the transcultural context.
Module F: Dissertation and final examination
By writing the dissertation required for the Master’s degree, students demonstrate their mastery of the practical and theoretical skills needed for the autonomous development and methodological resolution of a scientific research question. At the final oral examination, in addition to presenting their Master’s thesis, students have the opportunity to present their acquired knowledge and skills in a discussion with the jury on a selected part of Clinical Psychology.
