Topics in Psychological Treatment
Course Syllabus p. 1
Topics in Psychological Treatment
(PSYC 6050/8050)
Spring 2013
Instructor:
Office:
Telephone:
email:
Class Meetings:
Office Hours:
Richard D. McAnulty, Ph.D.
Colvard 4047
704-687-1342
rdmcanul@uncc.edu
wed. 9:00-11:45
after class or by appointment
Textbooks
1. Beck, J. S. (2011). Cognitive behavior therapy: Basics and beyond (2nd ed.). New
York: Guilford.
2. Harris, R. (2009). ACT made simple: An easy-to-use primer on acceptance and
commitment therapy. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger.
3. Selected readings (see last page)
Course Description and Objectives
The course is intended to introduce you to various significant topics and issues in the practice of
contemporary therapy. The course is divided into three modules:
1. Cognitive therapy. An overview of the theory, practice, and techniques of cognitive
therapy. Emphasis is on the cognitive model of mood disorders, anxiety, and maladaptive
behavior patterns.
2. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. An overview of theory and techniques.
3. Selected topics, including
Course Requirements
The most important requirement is to come to class prepared for discussion. This is NOT a
traditional lecture course. I expect active participation and contributions from each of you. Your
grade will be determined in part by your participation. To facilitate and reinforce your
involvement, I have set the following objectives:
1. Class attendance is required. Only one (1) absence will be excused. Repeated tardiness
(defined as arriving twice or more often after I close the classroom door) will be counted as an
absence. Each unexcused absence will result in a letter grade penalty from the final course grade.
I regret having to add this policy, but tardiness was a problem in the recent past. A pattern of
tardiness conveys a disinterest in the course.
Topics in Psychological Treatment
Course Syllabus p. 2
2. Prepared notes about the readings. Where appropriate prepare some written answers to the
questions for discussion.
3. Paper and class presentation. Each student will be assigned one topic. The student will write a
paper on the topics and will present the papers in class. Naturally, presentation dates will be
assigned in advance. You will need to provide me with a detailed outline and list of
recommended readings one week prior to your scheduled presentations.
Paper requirements:
Paper length: minimum length 10 typed pages plus references, tables, figures, etc...
Paper format: APA-style including references
References: Minimum of 6 references, including recommended readings. The majority of
your references should come from original sources (not a review article or book chapter).
Suggested paper outline:
Critical review of topic and related issues, to include:
a. Overview of topic with reference to theory, context, and background
b. Ethical issues
c. Professional issues
d. Applications
e. Research findings
f. Other pertinent information, including your own personal thoughts and concerns.
G. Recommended readings
Paper presentation:
You will have one hour to present your topic in class. The remainder of the time will be devoted
to discussion by class members. Let me know if you will need help with preparing handouts,
visual aids, and any other materials.
3. Final Exam: The final exam will be a take-home test that will require you to integrate and
discuss the various topics we encountered in the course.
Grading
Class Participation
Paper and presentation
Take-home exam
TOTAL POSSIBLE:
100 points
200 points
200 points
500 points
Topics in Psychological Treatment
Course Syllabus p. 3
Course Outline
Module 1 – Cognitive therapy
Week
Readings
1
Beck 1-5
2
Beck 6-11
3
Beck 12-18
4
5
CBT Readings
CBT Readings
Topic
The Cognitive Model
Identifying and Modifying Unhelpful Thoughts
Additional Techniques, Termination, and Common
Problems
Readings #2-6
Readings
Module 2 – ACT
Week
Readings
Topic
6
Harris 1-5 (+ Intro chap.) Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: The Model;
reading #7
7
Harris 6-11
Core Processes of ACT
8
Spring Break (no classes) March 6
9
10
11
Harris 12-15
readings
Harris
CBT vs. ACT
Module 3 – Other Topics/Presentations
Week
Readings
12
13
14
15
16
May 8th (wed)
Readings
Readings
Student presentations
Student presentations
Presentations/readings
Values, Committed Action, Therapeutic Alliance;
Case Conceptualization in ACT; readings
readings #8-9
Topic
readings #10-11,
readings #12-14
Final exam (take-home)
Readings
1. Sparks, J. A., Duncan, B. L., & Miller, S. D. (2008). Common factors in psychotherapy.
In J. Lebow (Ed.), 21st Century Psychotherapies (pp. 453-497). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
2. Gotlib, I. H., & Joormann, J. (2010). Cognition and depression: Current status and future
directions. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 6, 285-312.
Topics in Psychological Treatment
Course Syllabus p. 4
3. Hertel, P. T., & Brozovich, F. (2010). Cognitive habits and memory distortion in anxiety
and depression. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 19, 155-160.
4. Hankin, B. L., Abramson, L. Y., Miller, N., & Haeffel, G. J. (2004). Cognitive
vulnerability-stress theories of depression: Examining affective specificity in the
prediction of depression versus anxiety in three prospective studies. Cognitive Therapy
and Research, 28, 309-345.
5. Ingram, R. E., Miranda, J., & Segal, Z. (2006). Cognitive vulnerability to depression. In
L. B. Alloy & J. H. Riskind (Eds.), Cognitive vulnerability to emotional disorders (pp.
63-91). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
6. Mongrain, M., & Blackburn, S. (2005). Cognitive vulnerability, lifetime risk, and
recurrence of major depression in graduate students. Cognitive Therapy and Research,
29, 747–768.
7. Hayes, S. C., Stroshal, K. D., & Wilson, K. G. (2003). The dilemma of human suffering.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: An Experiential Approach to Behavior Change.
New York: Guilford.
8. Ciarrochi, J., Robb, H., & Godsell, C. (2005). Letting a little nonverbal air into the room:
Insights from acceptance and commitment therapy part 1: Philosophical and theoretical
underpinnings. Journal of Rational-Emotive and Cognitive Behavior Therapy, 23, 79106.
9. Ciarrochi, J., & Robb, H. (2005). Letting a little nonverbal air into the room: Insights
from acceptance and commitment therapy part 2: Applications. Journal of RationalEmotive and Cognitive Behavior Therapy, 23, 107-130.
10. Orsillo, S. M, & Batten, S. V. (2005). Acceptance and commitment therapy in the
treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder. Behavior Modification, 29, 95-129.
11. Twohig, M. P., & Crosby, J. M. (2010). Acceptance and commitment therapy as a
treatment for problematic Internet pornography viewing. Behavior Therapy, 41, 285-295.
12. McWilliams, N. (2005). Preserving our humanity as therapists. Psychotherapy: Theory,
Research, Practice, & Training, 42, 139-151.
13. Norcross, J. C. (2005). The psychotherapist's own psychotherapy: Educating and
developing psychologists. American Psychologist, 60, 840-850.
Topics in Psychological Treatment
Course Syllabus p. 5
14. Scheel, M. J., Hanson, W. E., & Razzhavaikina, T. I. (2004). The process of
recommending homework in psychotherapy: A review of therapist delivery methods,
client acceptability, and factors that affect compliance. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research,
Practice, & Training, 41, 38-55.