Course Description

This course is designed to help students understand the diagnostic process, including differential diagnosis and the use of current diagnostic classification systems, including the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) and the International Classification of Diseases (ICD).

Course Learning Outcomes
1. Understand and apply principles of cultural responsiveness and critical evaluation to the diagnostic process.
2. Apply and understand processes for professional identity development as a diagnostician, Professional Counselor, or Couple and Family Therapist.
3. Understand the use of diagnostic tools, including the DSM and ICD, and become familiar with the ethical and legal considerations around mental health diagnosis.
4. Become familiar with self-evaluation processes and the role of personal and systemic biases in the diagnostic process.

Textbooks
- Barlow, D., Durand, M., Hofmann, S. (2022). Psychopathology: An integrative approach to mental disorders (9th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.
Required Resources
- Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR®)

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