610

Course Description: 610 Advanced Clinical Methods
                                  R. L. Weiss

Aims:
   The goals for this course are as follows:

Learn interviewing skills described as Motivational Interviewing

Learn how to formulate hypotheses based on client interaction

Learn about assessment options

Develop skill in recording and communicating clinical information (e.g., models for report writing)

Overview of ethical concerns in clinical work

This course allows for considerable hands-on experience; I intend to customize topics, appropriate to levels of student experience. Not everyone will reach the same level of competence, yet the course will serve both as a foundation and as an advanced opportunity. The aim is to provide work in skill development and also in how one thinks about clinical presentations. As much as possible we will work with real intakes using various interview strategies. Although not intended as a therapy course per se, we will study a number of approaches at the level of specific skills for intervention, and practice with pseudo-clients implementing those most likely to be informative. We will definitely explore the uses and benefits of one session therapy.
Readings will include:
Friedman, S. (1997). Time-effective psychotherapy: Maximizing outcomes
        in an era of minimized resources. Heedham Heights, Mass.
Hersen, M., & van Hasslet, V. (Eds.) Sourcebook of psychological
       treatment manuals for adults (1996)
Miller,W.R., & Rollnick, (1991). Motivational Interviewing: preparing
         people to change addictive behavior. New York: Guilford.
Wachtel, P. (1993). Therapeutic communication: Principles and effective
        practice. New York: Guilford.

Educational Product:
    As a result of this course you should have greatly enhanced how you function in initial interviews (other than SCIDS interviewing); how you smoothly guide clients, recognize impasses, and work with clients who are initially antagonistic. We will also identify common traps that you will face in working with clients. You will be able to talk intelligently about commonalties in therapy techniques, and be able to differentiate among various models. In addition to selected readings we will watch videotapes as part of the course.
     We will utilize videotape feedback, role-plays, pseudo-clients, and as much as possible, actual intake sessions.
Who Should Consider Taking this Course?
   Clinical students at any year level, but especially those whose research interests will necessitate interacting with a wide range of potential clients. The course will not be focused on specific disorders and dysfunctions, but rather on techniques for managing the early stages of client –therapist interactions. Students should find this an invaluable experience for any practicum work. Advanced students may find this useful as an exposure to supervision they might be called upon to do.
Evaluation:
   The course can be taken Pass/No Pass or graded. I will develop a contract with each student, which sets out performance goals based on starting level. Together we will track how well each person meets his or her goals. Grades will be based on the extent to which goals are met and one’s active participation in the class.

(rlweiss@oregon.uoregon.edu)