Psychology 355 - SEM:SCIENTFC BASIS/PSYCHOTHERA

This seminar will provide a guided tour through the scientific literature on psychotherapy. We will begin with a historical overview of the field including a review of the major systems of psychotherapy (psychodynamic, behavioral, cognitive, and humanistic). We will then devote some time to developing critical skills for reading the scientific literature. These skills we be nurtured throughout the semester as we move through the major research on psychotherapy ?outcome? and ?process.? Outcome research traditionally asks the question, ?Does psychotherapy work?? We will explore the field?s current position on that questions and demonstrate that it leads naturally to the process question, ?How does psychotherapy work?? we will discuss the current literature on this question and gain some ?hands-on? experience with psychotherapy process measures. Course readings will be supplemented with videotapes and transcript material from actual psychotherapies. Prerequisites PSY100, PSY 202, PSY 150 or PSY 287.

Instructor Permission. Not open to first-years, sophomores