Biopsychosocial Assessment and Diagnosis

Catalog description

Prerequisites: SOWK K430 and SOWK K433 This advanced clinical practice course builds on concepts developed in Clinical Practice with Individuals, Families, and Groups I & II, and reflective supervision seminars and takes students’ knowledge and understanding from these courses to a more advanced level. It includes a case study approach to applying relevant concepts and draws upon previously covered theories to provide a context in which to understand the nature of diagnostic thinking and definitions of problems in biopsychosocial functioning and assessment. The course provides students with an opportunity to explore how relationships between biological, psychological, and environmental factors lead to and exacerbate individual problems in functioning. This applied course will also help students understand, learn, and critique the use and application of the DSM for assessing and diagnosing a range of mental health disorders.