Clinical Psychology of Couple and Family Relationships
PROF. VITTORIO CIGOLI
COURSE AIMS
The course will focus on the family and couple relationships, with special
reference to the research path carried out at the Università Cattolica Centre for
Study and Research on the Family. The model of thought and the clinical
intervention matured over time as the outcome of this path is that of the
“Symbolical Relationship”. It will be compared with other clinical approaches in
order to identify points in common and significant differences.
Emphasis will be given to the subjects of family “origins”, and of the emotionalhistorical vicissitudes of the couple bond, with special attention paid to healthillness problems that the relationships generate.
COURSE CONTENT
The course will cover the following topics:
– the epistemic and conceptual foundations of couple and family clinical
psychology;
– key models of clinical intervention aimed at the couple and the family;
– the transformations in family relations interpreted through painting.
READING LIST
V. CIGOLI, Il viaggio iniziatico. Clinica dei corpi familiari, Franco Angeli, Milano, 2012.
V. CIGOLI-G. TAMANZA, L’Intervista Clinica Generazionale, Raffaello Cortina, Milano, 2009.
V. CIGOLI-E. SCABINI, Family Identity. Ties, Symbols, and Transitions, Taylor&Francis, New York,
2006.
V. CIGOLI, L’albero della discendenza. Clinica dei corpi familiari, Franco Angeli, Milano, 2006.
V. CIGOLI, Intrecci Familiari, Raffaello Cortina, Milano, 1998.
S. MOLGORA-F. FACCHIN-C. FUSAR POLI, La clinica familiare. La storia, i fondamenti, i modelli,
Dispensa del corso, EduCatt, 2011.
Information on the final reading list useful for the exam will be given at the beginning of the
course.
TEACHING METHOD
The course will provide both theory lectures to be held by the lecturer and work in the
lecture room and in small groups to be done by the students. The theory lectures will cover
the “relationship” as the subject of intervention and of research and the principal models of
clinical intervention directed at the couple and at the family. Through the use of images
(pictures of the family and of the couple) and of film, they will cast light on the principal
changes of familial relationships, making it the subject of discussion with the students. The
group work will, instead, hinge on some crucial themes of the couple relationship that the
students will be asked to deal with through analysis of film and theatrical works illustrated
in the lecture room.
ASSESSMENT METHOD
The exam will consist of a written exam and an oral exam, both written and oral exams
will be held on the same day. The written exam will last about 45 minutes and contain 3
open questions (each of which will be assigned a maximum of 10 marks).
NOTES
Further information can be found on the lecturer's webpage at
http://docenti.unicatt.it/web/searchByName.do?language=ENG or on the Faculty notice
board.