Introduction

The Clinical Psychology Program is based on a Clinical Scientist model of training. We are committed to educating clinical scientists who will be able to integrate research and clinical activities to help advance theory and practice in the field. It is designed to ensure that students meet the program requirements of becoming a professional Clinical Psychologist. Clinical students are also required to complete two semesters of assessment and treatment practice in preparation for the required internship. The program is research-focused, and provides training through course work, research, and clinical practice.

The program can be completed in one year (including the internship), and the student has to take Psychotherapy sessions in the center with clients established under the Department of Psychology at Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University. Students take two semesters to complete their course work and dissertation and two months to complete their clinical internship. Therefore, students take between one year to complete the entire program. Clinical students also receive consultation and supervision within the context of clinical practice in psychological assessment and treatment

Patients/Participant

The vast majority of people seen are involved in research projects. The specific treatments, assessments, or other interactions with participants. Not all studies involve provision of treatment

Non-Research Clinical Function

In addition to those who are involved in research conducted under specific treatment protocols, patients are also seen by individual members of faculty who are clinical psychologists, under the auspices of the Clinical Practices of the University. These patients deal directly with their individual care providers for all scheduling, treatment for services rendered.

Mission Statement of The PGDCP Programme

The mission of the Post Graduate Diploma in Clinical Psychology is to bring healing, hope, and wholeness to individuals, families, and communities by expanding and equipping spiritually grounded and psychologically informed care, counseling, and psychotherapy. To train high-level mental health care professionals, set and practice international standards in evidence based healthcare provision, carry out innovative research, embrace current and emerging health challenges and guide mental health policy formulation, promote mental health in the community.

Vision

A high-class department for training of quality mental health care professionals, innovative research, policy development and provision of community based healthcare services. Setting the standard for Excellence in Clinical Psychology Training through the integration of clinical practice, research & teaching.

Service

Teaching and clinical supervision in state-of-the-art evidence-based therapeutic modalities. Research on the causes, assessment, and treatment of psychological disorders. The programme lives out its mission by serving.

• Our world
• Our profession
• Our society

Core Value

1. Train and produce clinical psychologists with adequate mental health knowledge.
2. Espouse and impart the virtues of professional ethics and moral standards in training research and practice.
3. Delivery of the best mental healthcare to clients.
4. Offer specialized investigations to mental health
5. As resource center for dissemination of mental health information
6. Conduct high quality research and publications
7. Promote preventive, curative, rehabilitation and primitive mental health
8. Deliver assessable, affordable and available mental health care to clients

PGDCP Programme Goals, Objetives, and Expected Competencies

The philosophy and training model of the program is the clinical scientist model. In accordance with this model,
Goal: 1 is to train clinical scientists who can function as independent researchers. The competencies integral to this goal include the ability to design, conduct, present, and publish original scientific research. Success is measured by achieving the following objectives:

 

• Successful completion of the course work.
• Successful completion of the clinical internship.
• Successful completion of required number of counseling sessions with the clients.
• Successful completion of practical examinations.
• Presenting research at professional conferences.

 

Goal: 2 is to train competent clinical practitioners who can practice independently. The competencies integral to this goal include basic clinical skills essential for practice and for learning from supervision; diagnostic expertise; testing expertise; and psychotherapeutic expertise. Success is measured by achieving the following objectives:

 

• Acquisition of basic clinical skills is measured by favorable evaluations by clinical assessment and therapy practicum supervisors on the Clinical Skills Evaluation Form (Appendix-C)
• Minimum satisfactory performance.
• Ability to diagnose mental disorders
• Ability to conduct and interpret standardized tests.
• Psychotherapeutic knowledge and expertise

 

Goal: 3 is to train scholars knowledgeable in psychopathology and clinical science. The competencies integral to this goal include the ability understand the scientific and clinical literature in psychopathology and clinical science, and to evaluate theoretical, empirical, and clinical claims critically. Our aim is to have students become informed consumers of psychopathology and clinical research such that their own research and clinical practice is thereby enriched and strengthened.

Requirements of The PGDCP Programme

Focus on Clinical Science

Given the clinical science orientation of our program, we are committed to ensuring that students receive training in a range of evidence-based assessment and treatment practice. In addition, students are encouraged to seek out and develop opportunities to incorporate research experiences as part of their practicum training. This may take many different forms, depending on the training site, training faculty, and the individual student. Examples include:

• Participating in program/treatment evaluation (including data analysis, manuscript preparation)
• Conducting a single-case experimental study of treatment provided (appropriate in all settings)
• Development of manualized assessment or treatment guidelines

Clinical Internship

Purpose

The purpose of this internship is to ensure that all students receive adequate guidance on obtaining the placement that best matches their qualifications and will best prepare them to meet their intended goals.

Internship

Ideally, this would occur at the end of the year. However, conducting practical counseling sessions in clinical psychology usually takes more time to complete than research in other areas of psychology. Students are required to complete all course work and practicum training prior to applying for internship. Students in the Clinical Psychology Program must complete a two months clinical internship. This occurs following the completion of all academic and training requirements. Clinical internships provide students with an intensive, supervised practical clinical training experience and always occur outside the Department of Psychology. The faculty works closely with students to help prepare for clinical internship. Students are encouraged to speak with the clinical faculty with any questions about preparing for internship.

Students in the Clinical Program must successfully complete internship before being granted their Post Graduate diploma. For example, students who complete their internship in June or July will be eligible to receive their diploma the following January, provided they have successfully completed all other degree requirements. Placements are made based on students’ clinical training goals, current level of experience, quality of the training site, and students’ current standing in the program. As a general guideline, students is passed through a hands on training an assessment practicum during their first semester, a structured clinical practicum through their second semester, and take on more intensive clinical activities until the end of their course work.

Voluntary Clinical Experience

In addition to the required practicum training, students may also engage in short-term voluntary clinical experiences as they arise (e.g. conducting assessments or interventions on a time-limited project). Students should receive faculty consultation and approval before engaging in such experiences.

Admission Requirements

Eligibility

Masters degree in Psychology with at least 50% marks.

Duration

One year programme spread over two semesters in the year.

Course and Credit Requirements

A total of 34-36 credits are required to complete Post Graduate Diploma in Clinical Psychology.

Scheme of Studies of ONE-YEAR CURRICULAR FOR POST GRADUATE DIPLOMA IN CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY

 

S.NO	SEMESTER	COURSE TITLE	COURSE CODE	CREDIT HOURS
1.	1st	Psychotherapy-I	PGDCP – 651	4
2.		Psychopathology	PGDCP - 652	4
3.		Neuro Psychology	PGDCP - 653	3
4.		Physiology	PGDCP - 654	3
5.		Ethics	PGDCP - 655	2
6.		Internship	PGDCP - 656	2
Total Credit Hours				18
S.NO	SEMESTER	COURSE TITLE	COURSE CODE	CREDIT HOURS
7.	2nd	Psychotherapy-II	PGDCP – 657	4
8.		Psycho diagnosis	PGDCP – 658	4
9.		Pharmacology	PGDCP – 659	3
10.		Child Psychology	PGDCP – 660	2
11.		Internship	PGDCP - 656	2
12.		Research Project	PGDCP - 661	3
Total Credit Hours				18
Total Credit Hours of Program: 36 (Theory, Labs): (33, 3)