A. General Learning Objectives
This course seeks to:

1. To present the predominant types of personality and behavior disorders and their etiology.
2. To explore the therapeutic techniques and delivery of service systems used to address these disorders.
3. To familiarize the student with the techniques and results of recent research in abnormal psychology.
4. To develop an empathetic attitude toward those who struggle with these disorders.
5. To explore these difficulties from a relational, contextual, and systemic approach.

B. Specific Behavioral Objectives
As a result of the activities and study in this course, the student should be able to:

1. Understand principles of human development; human sexuality; gender development; psychopathology; couple processes; family development and processes (e.g., family dynamics, relational dynamics, systemic dynamics); co-morbidities related to health and illness; substance use disorders and treatment; diversity; and power, privilege, and oppression (AAMFT 2.1.1).
2. Understand the major mental health disorders, including the epidemiology, etiology, phenomenology, effective treatments, course, and prognosis (AAMFT 2.1.2).
3. Understand the clinical needs and implications of persons who suffer from co-occurring disorders (e.g., substance abuse and mental health) (AAMFT 2.1.3).
4. Comprehend individual, couple, and family assessment instruments appropriate to presenting problem and practice setting (AAMFT 2.1.4).
5. Understand the current models for assessment and diagnosis of mental health and substance use disorders (AAMFT 2.1.5).
6. Understand the current models for assessment and diagnosis of relational functioning (AAMFT 2.1.6).
7. Understand the limitations of the models of assessment and diagnosis, especially as they relate to different cultural, economic, and ethnic groups (AAMFT 2.1.7).
8. Understand the concepts of reliability and validity, their relationship to assessment instruments, and how they influence therapeutic decision-making (AAMFT 2.1.8).
   

Textbooks:
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Desk reference to the Diagnostic Criteria from DSM-5™. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.

Yarhouse, M., Butman, R., McRay, B. (2005). Modern psychopathologies: A comprehensive Christian appraisal. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic. 

Reading List:
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.
Beach, S. R., Wamboldt, M. Z., Kaslow, N. J., Heyman, R. E., First, M. B., Underwood, L. G., & Reiss, D. (Eds.). (2006). Relational processes and DSM-V: Neuroscience, assessment, prevention, and treatment. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.
Cassidy, J., & Shaver, P. (Eds.). Handbook of attachment: Theory, research, and clinical applications. NY: Guilford.
Castonguay, L. G., & Oltmanns, T. F. (2013). Psychopathology: From science to clinical practice. NY: Guilford.
Ingram, R. E. (Ed). (2010). Vulnerability to psychopathology: Risk across the lifespan (2nd ed.). NY: Guilford.
Jones, S. & Butman, R. (2011). Modern psychotherapies : a comprehensive Christian appraisal. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic.
Kring, A. M., & Sloan, D. M. (Eds.). (2009). Emotion regulation and psychopathology: A transdiagnostic approach to etiology and treatment. NY: Guilford.
L’Abate, L, Cusinato, M., Maino, E., Colesso, W., & Scilletta, C. (2010). Relational competence theory: Research and mental health applications. NY: Springer.
Maddux, J. E., & Winstead, B. A. (Eds.). (2012). Psychopathology: Foundations for a contemporary understanding (3rd ed.). NY: Routledge.
Rogers, C., Kirschenbaum, H. & Henderson, V. (1989). The Carl Rogers reader. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
Rottenberg, J., & Johnson, S. L. (Eds.). (2007). Emotion and psychopathology: Bridging affective and clinical science. DC: American Psychological Association.