Introduction

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The Department of Clinical Psychology was established in 2005 by Dr. Zahid Mahmood to develop a comprehensive training programme for professional Clinical Psychologists in Pakistan, and to expand the role of Clinical Psychology to a wider range of problems of the individual, as well as those of the community.

Mission Statement

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We endeavour to bring the standards of training of Clinical Psychologists in Pakistan at par with international standards; to enhance the standing of Clinical Psychology as an independent professional discipline; to meet the growing needs and changing demands of the community at large; to direct research towards developing a knowledge base of indigenous Clinical Psychology in Pakistan.

Facilities

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Psychological Assessment and Therapy Services (PATS)

In this Service, in-depth assessment is carried out and therapeutic guidance is provided by trained and experienced Clinical Psychologists. This Clinical Service is provided free of charge to students and employees of GC University Lahore. Services are offered to the public at nominal charges. Adults and children are seen usually on Saturdays.

Disaster Relief Service

Following the earthquake of 2005, the Department of Clinical Psychology started offering free consultation to the public and a stand-by Relief Service is now available for disasters. A Special Service has been established for traumatised victims of bomb blasts.

Student Counselling Service

The Department offers consultation to students of GC University Lahore free of charge and on a full-time basis. A trained and full-time Clinical Psychologist has been appointed for this propose. Students can avail the Service between 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. The mode of counselling is focal and emphasises on problem solving. Workshops are arranged regularly for the development of academic, social and personal skills of the students.

Research

The Department has initiated a research project on students' problems which is funded by GC University Lahore, and is near completion. In addition, work on a three-year project funded by the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan (HEC), is also under progress.

Research Groups

•        Developing Research and Clinical Instruments group

•        School Psychology group

•        Parent-Child Relationship group

•        Medical and Neuro-Psychology group

•        Psychological Disorders group

Consultancy

The Department also offers Consultancy Services and training to Psychologists and Pilot-Trainers working for the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and Rescue 1122 Service.

Extra-Clinical Services

Some faculty members, who are qualified Clinical Psychologists, provide volunteer input into a local psychiatric half-way house and out-patient outlets.

Future Plans

We are hoping to increase the strength of the faculty and to offer more part-time courses to other professionals in allied fields to help develop and enhance their skills. The Department also organises regular workshops and seminars for professionals.

1-Year Top Up MS in Clinical Psychology

There are many Clinical Psychologists holding Diploma qualifications in Clinical Psychology, but there is no mechanism for them to proceed to post Master’s or Doctorate courses. This course was introduced in 2006 to meet the needs of many Diploma holders in Clinical Psychology. The 1-Year Top Up Programme follows all the rules of the mainstream Programme. Diploma holders are required to complete two semesters not covered in their previous training (e.g. School Psychology and Research), thus bringing them at par with the regular MS Programme. Moreover, every trainee is required to produce a dissertation on a topic of general clinical nature incorporating research findings.

MS Clinical Psychology

The 2-Year full-time course of MS Clinical Psychology is a recently developed comprehensive Programme designed to train professional Clinical Psychologists.

What's new about this Programme?

This Programme contains several innovative features that are designed to:

•        Bring the standard of training of Clinical Psychologists in Pakistan at par with international levels and enhance the standing of Clinical Psychology as an independent discipline.

•        Meet the growing needs and changing demands of health services and the community.

•        Bridge the gap between Clinical Psychology and School Psychology that exists in many Clinical courses.

•        Orientate and direct research in order to systematically develop indigenous Clinical Psychology in Pakistan.

Philosophy and Objectives of the Course

Course Philosophy

• The Course Philosophy posits that the Clinical Psychologist is a scientist- reflective-practitioner.

• The theoretical mode of the Course will be integrative and not biased to any particular orientation.

• The trainees in this Course, viewed as adult learners, will set their own learning objectives and will be encouraged to develop skills required for acquisition of reflective understanding, application of evidence-based methods and learning of good professional practices.

• Enhance the quality of learning; embrace the active learning model for teachers/trainers and trainees.

• The Course will have a collaborative and cooperative rather than competitive ethos. 

• To develop essential clinical skills; training will emphasise on experiential and inter-actional modes of learning through practice, observation, group activities and role-play.

• Objectives of the Course

• The trainee should be able to deal with a wide range of problems, settings and issues encountered by Clinical Psychologists.

• The trainee should be able to link diverse theories with effective and efficient practice.

• The trainee should have sound theoretical knowledge of Therapeutic Techniques, competence in a range of Clinical skills used in Psychological Assessment, and should be able to conduct essential research in the field of Clinical Psychology.

• The trainees should be able to conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times.

Course Structure

• This is a 2-Year full-time course, spanning four semesters (Sept-Feb, and March-Aug each year).

• Each semester is divided in two Terms of 10 weeks each.

• In each Term, specific time is allocated for lectures and workshops, and placement will take place simultaneously according to a timetable.

• The 4th Semester will include an Optional and Research project.

• This approach embraces the spirit of professional education in action.

Academic work

• (30%) will consist of lectures and seminars on theoretical issues and group discussions will be an integral part of formal teaching.

Clinical Experience

• (30%) will be acquired by the trainee's placement at Hospitals, Clinics and Schools under the direct supervision of experienced Clinical Psychologists.

Training Workshops

• (15%) are designed to give the trainee an opportunity to learn those Clinical, Technical, Research and Professional skills that are essential for working in the field of Clinical Psychology.

Research Project

• (15%) for attending a Course of Workshops on Research Methods in Clinical Psychology and participating in training workshops on research topics. The trainees will be expected to undertake an original research project in the last Semester.

 Study Time

• (10%) will be provided to the trainees, amounting to one day a week over the two-year period, for private study time.

• On occasions, this time can also be used for additional seminars, discussions and group activities.

Working Hours

• The normal working hours of the Course will be 9:00 am to 4:30 pm, five days a week.

Workshops

Workshops will be held on:

• Psychological Assessment

• Research Methods

• Clinical Skills

• Professional Skills

Assessment and Evaluation

A trainee's performance will be assessed by:

• Written examination comprising of 5 papers at the end of each Semester.

• Clinical reports.

• Assessments and evaluation made by placement Supervisors.

• Clinical Tutors’ assessment of the trainee’s overall performance.

• In the final Semester, an external examiner and an oral examination will evaluate the research project.

• Each of the candidates will have to achieve 50% of the maximum in each of the four areas of assessment and a trainee with an aggregate of 60% will be allowed to move on to the next Semester.

PhD Clinical Psychology

Those who successfully complete the MS Course with an overall performance of at least 70% of the maximum will be allowed to advance to the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology Programme in accordance with the rules set out by GCU.

Continued Professional Development

Another unique feature of this Programme is that all those who complete the MS Programme will be invited to join the Alumni Association. They will be entitled to receive continued support in Clinical and professional matters through individual contacts with the Programme Staff Members, and will have access to regular meetings, lectures, workshops and conferences. All members will receive a Newsletter regularly detailing professional development opportunities.

Academic Program

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The Department of Clinical Psychology offers 1-Year Top Up Programme in Clinical Psychology, MS and PhD Degree Programmes.

Courses

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• 1-Year MS Top Up Programme in Clinical Psychology

• PhD Clinical Psychology

• MS Clinical Psychology

1-Year MS Top Up Programme in Clinical Psychology

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MS Clinical Psychology

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PhD Clinical Psychology

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Fee Structure

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Top Up Programme in Clinical Psychology

MS Clinical Psychology

Faculty: