The Clinical Psychology is one of the most popular branches of psychology, not to mention the one that arouses most interest among new students in the Psychology Degree.

This specialty focuses on research and intervention in more or less serious psychological problems that affect the quality of life and the mental and emotional well-being of people.

Since this is a very demanding profession, it is necessary to be constantly updated . To do so, continuous training is almost obligatory. The advance of the new information technologies (ICT) and the increase in the offer of online training has allowed psychologists to continue training anywhere, making the study schedule more flexible. The lack of time to attend face-to-face courses is no longer an excuse to continue acquiring knowledge with this modality.

Free Clinical Psychology Courses

In today’s article we listed 20 online courses in clinical psychology for 2017 . Some of them are free and others (the minority) are paid, since the platforms that offer them may vary if they are charged or not. To register for the course you only have to click on the name and the link will take you directly to the official page of the training action. Don’t miss it!

Below you can see the list of psychology courses at zero cost.

1. Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychology

Training centre: University of Edinburgh

This course covers the basic strategies of clinical child and youth psychology and illustrates how the various theories of developmental psychology can be applied to understand mental health and well-being at these ages.

This interesting training action also reviews the models of prevention and psychological treatment currently used. Several professors from the prestigious University of Edinburgh are in charge of teaching the different topics.

2.Psychological first aid course

Training centre: Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB)

One of the most successful free online courses .

The course is taught by various experts from the Autonomous University of Barcelona and the Barcelona Crisis Centre, who introduce and train students in the application of psychological first aid (PAP) to any individual in a stressful situation: for example, traffic accidents, traumatic experiences, hospitalisation, aggression, etc. Although the audiovisual content is in English, it is possible to use the Spanish subtitling option.

3. Course on Psychobiology of Stress

Educational center: Institute for Advanced Open University Studies (IAEU)

Stress is a phenomenon that affects many individuals, and its causes, both biological and environmental, are varied. This educational action emphasizes the latter aspect, especially the role that emotions play in regulating the organism. Manuel Valdés Miyar, professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Clinical Psychobiology at the University of Barcelona, is teaching this 12-hour course.

4. Living with Dementia: Impact on Individuals, Caregivers, Communities, and Societies

Training center: John Hopkins University

Suffering from dementia is a great challenge for the individual who suffers it, but also for his family, the community and society. For this reason, the work of the psychologist becomes essential when dealing with this illness. Throughout this course, the brain of a person with dementia is examined to provide a basic description of the pathology of the disease, as well as the current diagnostic criteria, the stages of dementia, and the trajectory of the disease.

It also takes into account how this disease affects family members, communities and society in general, and explains and analyses the theoretical and practical frameworks for providing better support and care for those affected by this condition. In addition, specific strategies to help improve the quality of life of individuals with dementia are discussed. .

5. Free course on self-esteem

Training center: Aulafácil

Self-esteem is intimately related to a person’s mental health and well-being. Experts indicate that it is an element that is innate to each individual and is exposed to multiple modifications throughout our lives. In this course you will learn about the basic elements of self-esteem (e.g. self-concept, self-respect and self-realization), and you will learn how to promote healthy self-esteem in children.

Recommended article: “The 4 Types of Self-Esteem: Do You Value Yourself?”

6. Depression in Society: A Public Health Approach

Training center: John Hopkins University

Depression is common in these times and especially in developed societies. It is part of mood disorders and affects our well-being, our social interaction, our appetite and sexual desire .

Since this disorder affects a large portion of the world’s population, this course exposes the principles of public health as applied to depressive disorder. In this way, through its topics, you can acquire a better knowledge about the different preventive strategies that can be applied at a social level.

7. Free Healthy Habits Courses for People with Schizophrenia

Training center: Aulafácil

Schizophrenia is a serious mental disorder that belongs to the group of psychotic disorders. The individual with schizophrenia suffers from hallucinations and disturbing thoughts that isolate him/her from social activity .

Although there is no cure, there are effective treatments for patients with this disorder to enjoy their lives. However, in order to improve their emotional well-being and quality of life, it is necessary for them to acquire a series of healthy habits that allow them to live as normal a life as possible. With this course you can go deeper into healthy habits for people with schizophrenia.

8. Medical Neuroscience

Training center: Duke University

Medical neuroscience explores the functional organization and neurophysiology of the central nervous system, while providing a neurobiological framework for understanding human behavior.

With this course you will discover the organization of the neuronal systems in the brain and the spinal cord that mediate sensation, motivate body action, and integrate sensorimotor signals with memory, emotions and faculties related to cognition. This is an advanced level course.

9. Patient safety course

Educational center: University of Cantabria

Patient safety is a fundamental principle of healthcare , which also includes psychological care.

Since there is currently a greater demand for psychological assistance, it is necessary to be able to provide the optimum level of care for patients. This course allows you to acquire the necessary skills to do so. In addition to psychologists, this course is intended for any health care professional.

10. Introduction to Clinical Neurology

Training Center: University of California San Francisco (UCSF)

This course provides an overview of relevant aspects of epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic approaches and treatment options for the most common neurological diseases.

The course is taught by professors from the prestigious University of California at San Francisco (UCSF).

11. The Addict’s Brain

Training center: Emory University

We have all known at some time or another about addiction in friends, family or colleagues . For example, addicted to alcohol, tobacco or illicit drugs. The object of the addiction may vary, but the behavioural response is similar, as all these addictions cause the same chemical reaction in the brain.

This course deals with drug addiction and other behaviors, allows you to understand what goes on inside the brain of an addicted individual and provides you with valuable information to help other individuals overcome this dependency of the body on some substance or behavior. In addition, other topics such as government policies related to this phenomenon and our vulnerability to taking drugs are also discussed.

12. The Social Context of Mental Health and Dementia

Training centre: University of Toronto

Dementia and Alzheimer’s are conditions that cause a deterioration of mental capacity , serious enough to interfere in the daily life of people who suffer from it.

The aim of this course is to provide information on this topic, so that students can learn how social factors can promote mental health, influence the onset and progression of this disease, and even affect the diagnosis and treatment of this condition.

13. Course Dementia and Alzheimer’s

Educational center: University of Cantabria

As in the previous course, it deals with Alzheimer’s and dementia, neurological diseases that are very common among the elderly population.

But unlike the previous course, which focuses on the social aspects, this one reviews basic knowledge of neurology, pharmacology and neuropsychology related to this problem .

14. Mindfulness course to regulate emotions

Educational center: University of Málaga

Mindfulness is considered a third generation psychological therapy, and is increasingly used by clinical psychologists for its impact on the well-being of individuals . Two of its best known programs are the MBSR (Mindfulness-based stress reduction program) or the MBCT (Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy).

The latter has gained popularity in recent years as it is used for the treatment of various disorders, such as depression or anxiety. In this course, you will learn the basic principles of this practice and learn the most adaptive emotional skills, so that you can better understand and regulate your emotional state.

Paid courses

The following courses have a financial cost, since, in addition to the recognition, you will receive a certificate or diploma issued by a recognized university or institution . Some of them include discounts so that you can do them more economically.

15. Course in Parkinson’s Care

Training center: Universidad Camilo José Cela

This course aims to provide basic training on what is and how Parkinson’s disease develops and evolves, a chronic and degenerative disease of the nervous system characterized by lack of coordination, muscle stiffness and tremors.

The course focuses on the characteristics of patients with this condition and reviews the treatment and support they and their families need.

16. Course in Cognitive-Behavioral Psychotherapy

Educational center: University of Nebrija

One of the types of therapy that receives special attention in psychology consultations and clinics is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy , which inherits some fundamentals of behavioural psychology and cognitive psychology. This course offers specialized training in this field, and focuses on the importance of three main elements: thought, emotion and behavior.

If you want to know more about Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, visit our article: “Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: what is it and what are its principles?

17. Course of Diagnostic Interview in Mental Health

Training Center: Government of the Canary Islands

The interview is a qualitative technique for collecting information . It is not considered an informal conversation, as it has an objective.

The diagnostic interview is used in clinical psychology when a psychologist receives his patient to know first-hand the reason for his behavior and his problems, and is characterized as a pre-intervention technique. It becomes essential in the evaluation process due to the amount of information and personal knowledge that the patient provides in a short period of time. With this course you will be able to deepen in the fundamental aspects of this type of interview.

18. Expert Course in Clinical Psychological Evaluation

Training centre: Euroinnova

The psychological evaluation in clinical psychology goes beyond the diagnostic interview , since it is necessary to contrast the information with other types of techniques. This course prepares the student to master and have a broad vision of clinical psychological assessment, paying attention to the factors that influence this context and designing treatments according to the required needs.

Students on this course will be trained to understand the different ways of proceeding in the diagnosis of mental disorders, design optimal treatment and evaluate the effectiveness of such treatment.

19. Certification in Alzheimer’s Care

Training center: Universidad Camilo José Cela

You will be able to learn more about the clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic management of Alzheimer’s with the information provided in this course , based on the scientific evidence available today.

You will learn how to apply techniques and care to the patient and you will be more aware of the situation experienced by patients with Alzheimer’s, so that you can improve their quality of life. Finally, you will acquire an overview of the social and health services offered in Spain for this disease.

20. Depression and Anxiety Certificate. 10th Edition

Training centre: ADEIT Fundación Universidad Empresa de Valencia

This course prepares you for an in-depth understanding of depressive disorder , paying attention to the essential factors that influence this multi-causal phenomenon. In short, you will learn about: the emotional evolution of people, the first symptoms of depression, how risk factors act at different stages of development or the instruments for assessing the causative and maintenance factors of depression