Clinical Psychology

Telephone
+81-859-38-6411

Staff

Professor: Masahiko Inoue
Professor: Yoshito Kikuchi
Professor : Shinya Takeda
Professor:Yoshihiro Maegaki
Lecturer:Toshiki Fukuzaki

History

Although clinical psychology has its origins in the humanities (e.g., philosophy and psychology), it has developed under the influence of social needs in diverse areas including medical care, welfare, education, the judiciary, remediation and industry. Clinical psychology is therefore considered as one of the most interdisciplinary disciplines. Moreover, in the field of medicine, while significant advancements have been made in research on brain functions and cellular and genetic mechanisms, there is an emerging need for holistic practice that takes patients’ quality of life (QOL) into account. Under such circumstances, at the request of Tottori Prefecture Board of Education, the Clinical Psychology Course was introduced in April 2008, as the first postgraduate course (department) for clinical psychologists opened within the Graduate School of Medical Sciences. The Center for Clinical Psychology was also established in 2008, and actively provides consultation services open to the local community. In 2009, the course became the Program of the Clinical Phycology Specialty (degree program), the Graduate School of Medical Sciences upon approval by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, and also a Class I Graduate School for the training of clinical psychologists approved by the Foundation of the Japanese Certification Board for Clinical Psychologists. Those who complete the program will hold a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology as well as a clinical psychologist qualification.    

Curriculum

The degree program, as part of the courses provided by the Graduate School of Medical Sciences, offers a comprehensive curriculum, including intensive clinical practice at the Center for Clinical Psychology and training at the Departments of Psychiatry and Pediatric Neurology in Tottori University Hospital. Postgraduate students are allowed to attend medical rounds during the hospital training at both Departments, making the program particularly unique. Furthermore, training programs in the fields of education and welfare are included from the first year of the postgraduate program, so students will receive comprehensive practical training at external collaborator institutes.

We also offer lectures covering a wide range of disciplines and topics including medical care, disorders, intervention procedures and psychotherapies, in addition to basic research. With respect to psychotherapy theory and practice, students will study psychodynamics such as psychoanalysis, action theory including applied behavior analysis and behavioral therapy, and the person-centered approach such as counseling and encounter group therapy, with reference to the literature. The program is also designed to encourage prospective clinical psychologists not to rely on a single theory and thus helps them learn how to practice group therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, family therapy, short-term therapy, and/or cognitive remediation therapy according to the individual needs of clients, thereby acquiring skills and techniques appropriate to helping individual clients in practice.

Our mission is to foster specialist professionals and researchers who have a rich knowledge and skill set in the many aspects of clinical psychology. Through close cooperation with medical departments and other specialties (medical sciences and life science), we encourage various types of collaborative research in efforts to advance the discipline further. We expect that specialist clinical psychologists who complete this program in an environment close to a medical setting will become pioneers in various fields.  

Research activities

Our academic staff members are experienced clinical psychologists, who apply their experiences and achievements to address various current social issues, including bullying, school refusal, depression, anxiety, psychological scars, school or occupational maladjustment, support for children with developmental and/or mental disorders, support for the elderly, and support for families and professionals involved in care of the elderly and handicapped children. They are actively involved in education and research in clinical psychology as well as clinical consultations.

Academic staff members pursue their own specialism, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, psychoanalysis, group psychotherapy, applied behavior analysis, and short-term therapy. At the same time, the Center for Clinical Psychology serves as a hub where staff exchange knowledge in their own specialized fields (e.g., at weekly staff conferences), thereby furthering the provision of effective clinical psychology support tailored to individual clients’ primary complaints and needs. 

Main research themes

(1) Function of clinical psychology practices (e.g. psychotherapy), and process and structure of interventions
(2) Cognitive remediation therapy for mental disorders such as schizophrenia
(3) Cognition and communication in children with autism or developmental disorders
(4) Clinical psychology intervention for cognitive impairment