Skagit Valley College

Catalog Course Search Details

This course has been changed from the previous catalog, the changed field(s) are highlighted in red:

 Course Title:   Psychopathology and Therapeutic Intervention in Mental Health

 Title Abbreviation:   PSYCH/THERA INTERVENTION

 Department:    HSERV

 Course #:    231

 Credits:    4

 Variable:     No

 IUs:    4

 CIP:    511508

 EPC:    424

 REV:    2019


 Course Description  

Survey of various treatment approaches in mental health, substance abuse treatment, etiology of mental disorders, and DSM diagnostic criteria.

 Prerequisite  

Prerequisite: HSERV 101 or instructor permission

Additional Course Details

Contact Hours (based on 11 week quarter)

Lecture: 44

Lab: 0

Other: 0

Systems: 0

Clinical: 0


Intent: Distribution Requirement(s) Status:  

Vocational Preparatory Required for ATA degree  

Equivalencies At Other Institutions

Other Institution Equivalencies Table
Institution Course # Remarks
N/A

Learning Outcomes

After completing this course, the student will be able to:

  1. Have a general familiarity with the major classes of mental illness and standard approaches to treatment of those disorders.
  2. Recognize that alternative perspectives to the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness are common.
  3. Think both as researchers and as clinicians with the ability to evaluate evidence supporting various theories or therapeutic interventions.
  4. Understand the basic components of assessment, diagnosis, and treatment.
  5. Have a general familiarity with the organization and use of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders which serves as the current standard for classification of various mental illnesses. DSM IV-TR will be reviewe3d as well as recent changes included in DSM-5.
  6. Develop a compassionate appreciation of mental illness as a group of disorders which impact many persons and families in our communities.
  7. Develop an introductory familiarity with concepts from the emerging field of positive psychology and the recovery model/process in supporting persons with mental illness.
  8. PROGRAM OUTCOME: Demonstrate an understanding of the nature and treatment of addiction, psychopathology (including knowledge of motivation to change), physiology of addiction, and mental illness.

General Education Learning Values & Outcomes

Revised August 2008 and affects outlines for 2008 year 1 and later.

Course Contents

  1. Survey of dominant treatment approaches currently in use in mental health settings.
  2. Psychotherapies.
  3. Common mental health disorders.
  4. The recovery model and Program of Assertive Community Treatment (PACT) programs.
  5. Diagnostic systems including the DSM.
  6. Dual disorders involving substance use disorders.
  7. Mental health promotion.
  8. Populations discussed: Women, chronically mentally ill, children, minority groups, geriatrics, and cultural subgroups.
  9. Role of advocacy.
  10. Use of self-help groups.
  11. Support groups.
  12. Issues in working in rural and urban settings.
  13. Provision of environmental supports for clients, child care, schooling and employment and training.