In this course you will be trained in the psychodiagnostic assessment of children with cognitive and social-emotional problems. It builds upon the Bachelor courses Psycho-diagnostics and Psychometrics. 

This course introduces behaviour therapy for the benefit of children. Lectures, workgroups, and self study prepare the student for the central assignment of the course, which is to teach two children, between 4 and 8 years old, different useful skills. 

 In this course, we will use Ben Furman’s programme Kids’ Skills. This is a solution-based programme which is grounded in family therapy. Inviting all parties involved (parents, children, care-givers, teachers) to have input and participate is a characteristic aspect of family therapy. The focus is on what children or adolescents need to learn. To learn new skills, you need all the support you can get from your environment. Instead of blaming parents or teachers, we invite them to give input about the skill that needs to be learned. 

The lecture series of this course promotes students’ knowledge of key components of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy with young people, especially the process of conducting cognitive therapy. The corresponding workgroup sessions make use of demonstrations, supervised skills practice, and discussion, to promote students’ acquisition of the CBT skills presented during the lectures.