PSYC 10Q: Unlocking the Mind: An Overview of Modern Psychotherapy Approaches
General Education Requirements
Not currently certified for a requirement. Courses are typically considered for Ways certification a quarter in advance.
Course Description
Are you curious about mental health and the treatment of mental illness? Are you interested in what effective psychotherapies exist, how these approaches differ, and why they work? Are you considering pursuing a career as a mental health clinician or clinical scientist? Or are you perhaps hoping to learn tools to help improve your own mental well-being or offer more effective support to others?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, this class is for you! No prior experience in psychology is necessary, as this comprehensive course will provide the roadmap you need to navigate the diverse landscape of modern psychotherapy, satisfying your curiosity, providing a toolbox to support your mental well-being, or even laying a foundation for your career in the field of mental health. You will get the chance to peek behind the curtain of five of today’s top evidence-based psychotherapies: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), exploring the philosophy and techniques that characterize and differentiate these approaches. Additionally, several trauma-focused therapies will be introduced. We will begin our discussion of each therapeutic approach with didactic material to ground our discussions then have ample time for experiential learning so students can practically apply their new knowledge. Additionally, clinical psychologists from across the country will join us for guest lectures to share their expertise in the field. By the end of this highly interactive and discussion-centered course, you will demonstrate a foundational understanding of these therapeutic techniques. Moreover, for their main project, students will choose a therapy not already covered in class, conduct a literature review, and present the approach to their peers, providing students exposure to numerous therapeutic approaches.
Meet the Instructor: Connor Adams
“I am a Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Assistant Professor at Stanford. I earned my doctorate (PsyD) from the George Washington University and completed my Clinical Internship at Harvard Medical School/Cambridge Health Alliance and my Postdoctoral Fellowship at Stanford. My clinical and research interests center on therapeutic interventions that support recovery for individuals living with serious mental illness. I ground my clinical work in a psychodynamic perspective, assisting individuals in understanding why they think, feel, and behave the way they do, in order to increase their agency and choice. I have specialized training in comprehensive Dialectical Behavior Therapy and provide treatment for individuals with emotion regulation difficulties. I also have training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Psychosis (CBTp). I am broadly interested in increasing access to person-centered and recovery-oriented care. Additionally, I have a passion for teaching and training and enjoy weaving together lectures, hands-on experiential exercises, and real-world clinical examples to bring course materials to life.”
