This course presents an overview of the major domains of abnormal psychology. The course is made up of 5 modules, the first of which provides an introduction to the field through discussions of the concept of psychological abnormality, assessment and classification, and the major models in use for understanding psychological abnormality. The remaining four modules provide overviews of major domains of abnormal psychology, including mood disorders, anxiety disorders, stress and trauma-related disorders, and schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Lectures within each of these modules address symptoms and behaviors, epidemiology, causal theories, treatment interventions and multicultural findings and considerations.
The course also seeks to assist participants with becoming more adept at noticing when a family member, friend, or colleague may be experiencing psychological distress, as well as develop the comfort level required for initiating an empathic, compassionate conversation with a person of concern. Toward this goal, the last lecture of each module is dedicated to the topic “Foundations of Empathy.”
This course is not designed to assist participants with resolving their own experiences of psychopathology, nor it is intended to prepare participants to act as psychotherapists for distressed individuals in their personal lives.
Status: Mental Health
Mental Health
Status: Psychosocial Assessments
Psychosocial Assessments
Beginner·Course·14 hours
Featured reviews
5.0
·Reviewed Jan 11, 2024
its a good course that informs all abnormal psychological disorder ,its a privilege to learn by this great teacher ,I am thankful.
5.0
·Reviewed Oct 14, 2021
Very clearly set out and orgainsed course. Loved the supplementry reading. An excellent course thank you!
4.0
·Reviewed Mar 20, 2023
Some of the readings were difficult for a beginner. I had trouble navigating the website to continue were I left off.
5.0
·Reviewed Sep 20, 2022
Well structured to take you through abnormal psychology, it's treatment, and the broader context of mental illness.
5.0
·Reviewed Feb 14, 2023
Excellent course! Very informative and professional. So far, no annoying peer reviews, just tests. Great!
5.0
·Reviewed Sep 7, 2023
The interactive content made it very easy to learn. The introduction to Abnormal Psychology was in-depth. The module on anxiety disorders was particularly interesting.
5.0
·Reviewed Aug 24, 2024
Detailed course for beginners, very helpful. Makes one feel confident about learning skills which can improve someone's life!
5.0
·Reviewed Oct 23, 2021
very informative, and very good at convering a variety of topics throughout the course of a few weeks.
5.0
·Reviewed Sep 25, 2022
I have always been fascinated with different psychological disorders and trying to better understand them. The material was easy to understand and kept my attention.
5.0
·Reviewed Jul 6, 2022
Its a good introduction, but if you already have knowledge about the topic, it may be too basic
5.0
·Reviewed Dec 21, 2025
This course able to understand more about schizophrenia and disorders person will react
5.0
·Reviewed Sep 30, 2021
A really well thought thought course that benefitted me tremendously in understanding abnormal psychology. I look forward to learning more from the faculty members. Thank you once again!
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N
Nguyen
5.0
·Reviewed Sep 21, 2021
I would like to say thank you so much to Jen D' Andrea, Director of Counseling and Psychological Services. I very love your voice and no doubt that I gained a lot of knowldege about Abnormal Psychology in this course. Thank you.
T
Tom
4.0
·Reviewed Jan 26, 2022
I did really enjoy reading the course's content and listening to the instructor.
I do question, however, if the price for the certificate of this single course is worth it.
Sadly, most information (except for the most interesting parts "Foundations of Empathy") are accessible on the university's website for free.
I, personally, enrolled in the Abnormal Psychology Specialisation, so I did not have to pay $40 for the certificate but will most likely pay $40 for the whole specialisation (finishing it in a month by doing some stuff everyday). I guess, I would feel less happy about the content, if I payed for each course individually.
S
Stanley
5.0
·Reviewed Oct 1, 2021
A really well thought thought course that benefitted me tremendously in understanding abnormal psychology. I look forward to learning more from the faculty members. Thank you once again!
E
Europe
5.0
·Reviewed Sep 15, 2021
Esta realmente bien, es super interesante, pero al no entender muy bien el ingles se me dificulta muchisimo.
Ojalá mas adelantesepa vuestro idioma o el idioma mundial y pueda hacerlo.
M
Myrrh
5.0
·Reviewed Nov 18, 2021
The course is great! I love Ms. Jen's pacing! You'll truly learn a lot! :)
A
Amit
5.0
·Reviewed Sep 28, 2021
very comprehensive and touched a large variety of key topics
E
ELMER
5.0
·Reviewed Sep 18, 2021
THANK YOU
M
Muhammad
5.0
·Reviewed Feb 14, 2022
I really enjoyed taking this course. The reading material was very accessible and structured. The lectures also provided a balanced and detailed view of the issues. Particularly, I loved the lectures of sociocultural and multicultural perspectives of Abnormal Psychology as they lean towards the political and economic causes of mental illness. All in all, a very well balanced course!
D
Daniela
5.0
·Reviewed May 29, 2022
I absolutely loved this course. One thing I liked the most is that the reading materials were very complete. It made my understanding much better and I didnt feel lost at all while listening to the lectures. Overall, the course design and modules were perfect. The instructor talked clearly and explained things very well. I learned a lot. Thank you
N
Nicola
5.0
·Reviewed Dec 31, 2022
The instructor was clear and concise, and the course materials and platform made learning a pleasure. One small thing I will note is the time estimate for the readings was on the short side. I read fast, but to really grasp the new concepts and information, I had to spend about twice the time stated.
K
Kathy
5.0
·Reviewed Jul 24, 2022
Interesting intoductory course, I especially thought it was interesting that social/cultural differences can cause different experiences of PTSD and depression! Looking forward to learning about EMDR, just for curiosity!
D
Denny
5.0
·Reviewed Sep 8, 2023
The interactive content made it very easy to learn. The introduction to Abnormal Psychology was in-depth. The module on anxiety disorders was particularly interesting.
F
FJ
5.0
·Reviewed Oct 16, 2021
Thank you Dr. Jen for making us, students, knowledgeable about Abnormal Psychology. The foundations of empathy is amazing, and is my favorite.
E
Erica
5.0
·Reviewed Oct 15, 2021
Very clearly set out and orgainsed course. Loved the supplementry reading. An excellent course thank you!
A
Ainsley
5.0
·Reviewed Oct 23, 2021
very informative, and very good at convering a variety of topics throughout the course of a few weeks.
M
Mr
5.0
·Reviewed Nov 18, 2021
Really great course - thank you!
Α
Αggeliki
5.0
·Reviewed Nov 25, 2021
Excellent !!!
M
Merve
4.0
·Reviewed Jul 13, 2022
It is a useful course to have some idea about abnormalities in psychology. However, if you are seeking a little bit of deep information, it won't satisfy you. But, for me, as someone who doesn't have an idea of psychological abnormalities, it was a helpful, basic course. Also, the length of the course was ideal, it was not too short, and it was not too long. The lecturer's statements were clear and understandable, especially when it's considered I'm intermediate in English.
R
Rory
3.0
·Reviewed Apr 5, 2024
While the information was interesting, the instructor sat at a desk and lectured from behind her computer - a psychologist talking from behind a black screen covering all but her head, neck and necklace. Hardly a model of empathy or connectedness for a psychology topic.
The quizzes covered some important information and some unimportant factoids. e.g. Remembering the percentage of NYers vs. others in the U.S. suffering from PTSD after the events of 9-11 hardly grows one's knowledge of the condition.