OpenCourser brand icon
Sign in
We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.
Course image
Course image
edX logo

Introduction to Clinical Psychology

4.5 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Half star
Based on 2 ratings
see reviews
Blake McKimmie, Vanessa Cobham, and Nancy Pachana

Have you ever wondered what causes mental illness, or why we react to stress the way we do? Or what to expect as you get older?

Clinical psychology is the study of psychological disorders and the treatments designed to improve the day-to-day lives of people suffering from them. The focus of the course will be on common psychological disorders, such as schizophrenia, and the symptoms of each. We will also discuss the underlying role of stress and how it affects people mentally and physically. We will also consider more general issues and theories around personality and intelligence.

Read more

Have you ever wondered what causes mental illness, or why we react to stress the way we do? Or what to expect as you get older?

Clinical psychology is the study of psychological disorders and the treatments designed to improve the day-to-day lives of people suffering from them. The focus of the course will be on common psychological disorders, such as schizophrenia, and the symptoms of each. We will also discuss the underlying role of stress and how it affects people mentally and physically. We will also consider more general issues and theories around personality and intelligence.

You should take this course if you want to better understand psychological disorders and how we can treat them.

What you'll learn

  • Common psychological disorders including anxiety, mood disorders and Schizophrenia
  • Treatments for psychological disorders
  • How stress affects us and how we cope
  • Theories about personality and intelligence
  • What normal ageing is
Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Common psychological disorders including anxiety, mood disorders and schizophrenia
  • Treatments for psychological disorders
  • How stress affects us and how we cope
  • Theories about personality and intelligence
  • What normal ageing is

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Introduces common psychological disorders, making it suitable for beginners in psychology
Examines how stress affects individuals, providing practical insights into managing its impact
Taught by reputable instructors with expertise in clinical psychology, ensuring high-quality content
Covers a range of topics, including personality and intelligence, offering a comprehensive overview of psychology

Save this course

Create your own learning path. Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.
Save

Reviews summary

Foundational introduction to clinical psychology

According to learners, this course offers a solid introduction to clinical psychology, providing a broad overview of the field. Students particularly appreciated the clear and accessible explanations of common psychological disorders, stress, personality theories, and aging. Many found it an excellent starting point for understanding the basics. However, some reviewers noted that the coverage can feel somewhat superficial on certain topics and is primarily theory-focused, lacking detailed practical application. While highly recommended as a foundational course, learners seeking greater depth or practical skills may find it requires additional study.
Excellent as a starting point.
"This was the perfect first course for me to get into psychology."
"Great course if you're a complete beginner looking for a foundation."
"Highly recommended for anyone wanting to know what clinical psych is all about."
"Provides a strong base to build upon with further study."
Covers essential areas of the field.
"Liked the range of topics covered, from disorders to personality and aging."
"Provides a good high-level view of the key areas in clinical psychology."
"Gives you a taste of different aspects of the field, which is helpful."
"The course hits on all the major points mentioned in the description."
Concepts are explained simply and clearly.
"The explanations of psychological disorders were very clear and easy to understand."
"Found the concepts around stress and coping mechanisms explained really well."
"The instructor did a great job making potentially complex topics accessible."
"Everything was presented in a way that made sense, even for someone new to the subject."
More theory, less practical application.
"Focuses heavily on the 'what' and 'why' rather than the 'how' of practice."
"Less practical application than I expected, more theoretical concepts."
"Good for understanding the background, but not for practical skills."
"If you're looking for hands-on therapeutic techniques, this isn't it."
Coverage can be superficial.
"Felt like some important topics were only briefly touched upon."
"Wished there was more detail on specific treatment approaches."
"It's very introductory; don't expect deep dives into complex subjects."
"Could use more in-depth discussion on certain disorders or theories."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Introduction to Clinical Psychology with these activities:
Compile a Stress Management Toolkit
Develop practical tools for managing stress in different situations.
Browse courses on Stress Management
Show steps
  • Research different stress management techniques.
  • Select a variety of techniques that you think will be helpful for you.
  • Create a toolkit with resources, such as apps, websites, and printable guides.
Read Carl Rogers on the Person-Centered Approach
Develop a deeper understanding of one of the foundational theories in clinical psychology.
Show steps
  • Read the introduction and first two chapters of the book.
  • Summarize the key concepts of the person-centered approach.
  • Identify the implications of the person-centered approach for clinical practice.
Complete Practice Problems on Mental Illness
Reinforce your understanding of common mental illnesses and their treatments.
Browse courses on Mental Illness
Show steps
  • Identify the symptoms of different mental illnesses.
  • Describe the treatment options for different mental illnesses.
  • Solve case studies related to mental illness.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Attend a Workshop on Mental Health
Enhance your knowledge and skills in mental health through a structured workshop.
Browse courses on Mental Illness
Show steps
  • Research different workshops on mental health.
  • Identify a workshop that aligns with your interests and learning goals.
  • Register for the workshop and attend all sessions.
Discuss Case Studies with Peers
Gain diverse perspectives on mental illness and its treatment.
Browse courses on Case Studies
Show steps
  • Form a study group with other students in the course.
  • Select a case study to discuss.
  • Analyze the case study together, identifying the presenting problem, diagnosis, and treatment options.
  • Share your perspectives on the case study with the group.
Volunteer at a Mental Health Organization
Gain practical experience in the field of mental health.
Browse courses on Mental Illness
Show steps
  • Research different mental health organizations.
  • Identify an organization that aligns with your interests.
  • Contact the organization and inquire about volunteer opportunities.
Contribute to an Open-Source Project on Mental Health
Make a meaningful contribution to the field of mental health by supporting open-source projects.
Browse courses on Mental Illness
Show steps
  • Identify an open-source project that focuses on mental health.
  • Review the project's documentation and codebase.
  • Identify an area where you can contribute.
  • Make a code contribution or create an issue report.

Career center

Learners who complete Introduction to Clinical Psychology will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Clinical Psychologist
If you'd like to work as a Clinical Psychologist, understanding underlying causes of mental illness and developing treatments is essential. This course introduces you to the study of the discipline and provides an overview of the psychological disorders, such as schizophrenia, that you'd be working with.
See salaries and explore the career path for Clinical Psychologist
Psychiatrist
Psychiatrists focus on diagnosing mental health issues and developing treatments to help patients manage their symptoms. This course provides an overview of the very topic you'd be working with on a daily basis, and can help build a foundation for your future career.
See salaries and explore the career path for Psychiatrist
Mental Health Counselor
Mental Health Counselors help people with mental health and emotional issues, and you will need to understand psychological disorders and their treatments for this job. This course gives you a comprehensive overview of both.
See salaries and explore the career path for Mental Health Counselor
Social Worker
Social Workers can work in many different settings to aid people through difficult times and can specialize in mental health. This course can prepare you for work in this latter field by helping you understand the psychological disorders you would be working with.
See salaries and explore the career path for Social Worker
Case Manager
Case Managers provide support to individuals with mental health issues. This course gives you a broad overview of the common disorders Case Managers work with.
See salaries and explore the career path for Case Manager
Psychotherapist
Psychotherapists provide counseling and support to people with mental health issues. This course may be useful if you want to become a Psychotherapist as it gives an overview of the very disorders you'd be working with.
See salaries and explore the career path for Psychotherapist
Occupational Therapist
Occupational Therapists help people with mental health issues learn how to live independently. This course can help you understand the underlying causes of mental illness and help you learn how to treat it.
See salaries and explore the career path for Occupational Therapist
Special Education Teacher
Special Education Teachers work with students who have mental health issues. This course may be useful if you want to become a Special Education Teacher as it gives an overview of the disorders you'd be working with.
See salaries and explore the career path for Special Education Teacher
School Counselor
School Counselors help students with mental health issues. This course could be useful because it gives an overview of the common disorders you'd be working with as well as how the stress of school can affect students.
See salaries and explore the career path for School Counselor
Rehabilitation Counselor
This course provides an overview of common psychological disorders that Rehabilitation Counselors would work with as they help people with disabilities return to work or school.
See salaries and explore the career path for Rehabilitation Counselor
Forensic Psychologist
Forensic Psychologists work with the legal system to evaluate and treat people with mental health issues. This course provides an overview of the disorders Forensic Psychologists work with.
See salaries and explore the career path for Forensic Psychologist
Neuropsychologist
Neuropsychologists help people with brain injuries or other neurological conditions. This course provides an overview of the disorders that Neuropsychologists work with.
See salaries and explore the career path for Neuropsychologist
Geropsychologist
This course provides an overview of the psychological changes that occur as we age, which would be useful for Geropsychologists who work with older adults.
See salaries and explore the career path for Geropsychologist
Developmental Psychologist
Developmental Psychologists study how people develop throughout their lives. This course provides an overview of the theories about personality and intelligence that Developmental Psychologists work with.
See salaries and explore the career path for Developmental Psychologist
Health Psychologist
Health Psychologists help people manage stress and improve their overall health. This course could be useful as it discusses how stress affects people mentally and physically.
See salaries and explore the career path for Health Psychologist

Reading list

We've selected eight books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Introduction to Clinical Psychology.
Cover image
Abnormal Psychology
Save
This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of abnormal psychology, covering various mental disorders, their causes, symptoms, and treatments. It valuable resource for gaining a foundational understanding of the field.
Abnormal Psychology
Paperback
Check
Abnormal Psychology
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
Abnormal Psychology
Save
This textbook focuses on the core concepts and principles of abnormal psychology. It provides a clear and concise overview of the field, making it suitable for those new to the subject or seeking a refresher.
Abnormal Psychology
Paperback
Check
Abnormal Psychology
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
Biological Psychology / Sylvius 4 Access Code
Save
This textbook explores the biological foundations of psychology, providing insights into the brain-behavior relationship and the physiological underpinnings of mental processes and disorders. It valuable resource for understanding the biological aspects of clinical psychology.
Biological Psychology / Sylvius 4 Access Code
Paperback
Check
Biological Psychology / Sylvius 4 Access Code
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
Personality Disorders in Modern Life
Save
This handbook provides an in-depth examination of personality disorders, offering a comprehensive overview of their diagnosis, assessment, and treatment. It is an essential resource for clinicians and researchers seeking specialized knowledge in this area.
Personality Disorders in Modern Life
Hardcover
$$$$
Personality Disorders in Modern Life
Kindle Edition
$$$$
Cover image
Intelligence
Save
Explores the nature of intelligence, discussing its measurement, genetics, and impact on various aspects of life. It provides insights into the complex and multifaceted nature of human intelligence.
Intelligence
Paperback
Check
Intelligence
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
Why Do So Many Incompetent Men Become Leaders?
Save
This handbook explores individual differences in psychological traits and abilities, providing insights into their measurement, assessment, and impact on various life outcomes. It offers a comprehensive overview of the field of individual differences.
Why Do So Many Incompetent Men Become Leaders?:...
Hardcover
$$
Cover image
Theoretical Perspectives on Cognitive Aging
Save
This handbook examines the cognitive changes associated with aging, providing insights into the neurobiological and psychological mechanisms involved. It valuable resource for understanding the impact of aging on cognitive functioning.
Theoretical Perspectives on Cognitive Aging
Paperback
Check
Theoretical Perspectives on Cognitive Aging
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
Principles of Behavioral Neuroscience
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of behavioral neuroscience, exploring the neural mechanisms underlying behavior. It offers a valuable resource for understanding the relationship between the brain and behavior.
Principles of Behavioral Neuroscience
Paperback
$$$
Principles of Behavioral Neuroscience
Kindle Edition
$$

Share

Help others find this course page by sharing it with your friends and followers:
Facebook
LinkedIn
Reddit
X
Link
Email

Similar courses

Here are nine courses similar to Introduction to Clinical Psychology.
Introduction to Human Behavioral Genetics
Most relevant
Mechanics of Materials I: Fundamentals of Stress & Strain...
Most relevant
Understanding Psychosis
Most relevant
Advanced Neurobiology II
Most relevant
Introduction to Abnormal Psychology
Most relevant
Less Stress, Better Health
Most relevant
Low Intermediate English: Personal Growth & Well-Being
Most relevant
Stress First Aid for Healthcare Workers: A Peer Support...
Most relevant
Cannabis, Mental Health, and Brain Disorders
Most relevant

edX Buyer Protection & Guarantee

Verified partner policies & purchase protections

World-Class University Partner
Free Trial & Audit

Free Audit Track Available

Free audit track available for most courses, giving open access to video lectures, course readings, and assignments at no charge.

Return & Refund Policy

14-Day Full Refund Window

14-day full refund available up to 14 days after course start or 14 days after payment (whichever comes second, up to 6 months max), provided verified certificate has not yet been earned.

Buyer Protections

Verified Academic & Industry Partner

University-backed credentials authored by elite institutions like Harvard, MIT, and Oxford, with tamper-proof certificate verification.

Key Purchase Protections
Free audit track for open learning access
14-day money-back guarantee on verified certificates
Prestigious university credentials (Harvard, MIT)
Automatic unenrollment refund process via dashboard
OpenCourser Verified Partner Policy details last reviewed: 2026-10-22
Course image
Rating
4.5 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Half star
Effort
1 to 2 hours per week for 7 weeks
Level
Elementary
Via
edX
Institution
The University of Queensland
Instructors
Blake McKimmie
Vanessa Cobham
Nancy Pachana
Language
English
Transcript
English
This course belongs to a collection called Introduction to Developmental, Social & Clinical Psychology. It's comprised of four courses:
  1. Introduction to Clinical Psychology (viewing)
  2. Introduction to Social Psychology
  3. Introduction to Developmental Psychology
  4. Introduction to Psychological Research Methods
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Introduces common psychological disorders, making it suitable for beginners in psychology
Examines how stress affects individuals, providing practical insights into managing its impact
Taught by reputable instructors with expertise in clinical psychology, ensuring high-quality content
Covers a range of topics, including personality and intelligence, offering a comprehensive overview of psychology
Share this
Share to help others discover this course.
Facebook LinkedIn X Reddit Link Email
Begin learning today
Enroll now to gain full access to Introduction to Clinical Psychology.
Enroll now
Save for later
Add this course to your list. Find it anytime.
Save
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2025 OpenCourser