Academic Collaboration
SIP (Italian Society of Psychiatry) - Lazio (scientific partner)
Purposes of the Master
Care and intervention in mental health services require a complex balance of clinical expertise, observational skills, interpersonal skills, and the ability to work in multidisciplinary settings. The aim of the I Level Master in Advanced Psychiatric Care and Mental Health is to provide healthcare and social-educational professionals—including nurses, psychiatric rehabilitation technicians, developmental neuro- and psychomotor therapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, professional educators, and social workers—with advanced theoretical and practical tools to understand and manage the complexity of mental disorders. The course is based on an integrated bio-psycho-social approach that places the dignity, rights, and well-being of the individual at the center, while emphasizing the role of the family and social network in the care process.
The training programme explores the evolution of the concept of mental health in modern psychiatric services, moving beyond a “custodial” approach in favor of a model focused on prevention, rehabilitation, social inclusion, and the principles of recovery. Through the acquisition of knowledge in the fields of psychopathology, neurobiology, and psychosocial science, participants will develop skills for the multidimensional assessment of an individual’s needs, the design of care, rehabilitation, and psychoeducational interventions, and the integrated management of treatment pathways.
Particular attention is given to the management of acute phases and psychiatric emergencies, including the prevention and management of suicide risk, behavioral crises, and conditions of high vulnerability. At the same time, the Master explores long-term care strategies and psychosocial rehabilitation interventions aimed at promoting autonomy, inclusion, and the restoration of personal and relational skills in community, residential, and home settings.
A central component of the training programme is the development of interpersonal and communication skills. The helping relationship, therapeutic communication, and multiprofessional teamwork are essential tools for building an effective therapeutic alliance with the client and for coordinating interventions among the various professionals involved in mental health services. The programme also addresses ethical, deontological, and regulatory aspects, with particular attention to psychiatric legislation, the protection of individual rights, informed consent, and professional responsibility.
In this context, the Master aims to train professionals capable of working in a skilled, responsible, and integrated manner across the various settings where mental health is promoted. Participants will acquire skills applicable in community mental health services, residential and semi-residential facilities, inpatient psychiatric services, psychiatric rehabilitation centers, services for substance use disorders, and services dedicated to child and adolescent mental health, contributing to the development of innovative care models focused on continuity of care and the centrality of the individual.
Target Students and Admission Requirements
The Master is aimed at professionals in the health, education, social services, and organizational sectors who work or intend to work in mental health services and in social-healthcare settings where well-being and mental health are promoted.
In particular, the Master is designed for nurses, psychiatric rehabilitation technicians, developmental neuro- and psychomotor therapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, professional educators, social workers, and other professionals involved in the prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of mental health conditions.
Candidates holding a Bachelor’s Degree, a Master’s Degree, or an equivalent qualification in the fields of healthcare, psychology, rehabilitation, or social education are eligible for admission to the Master. Specifically, graduates with degrees in the following fields or equivalent qualifications are eligible:
- L/SNT1 – Healthcare professions, nursing, and obstetrics;
- L/SNT2 – Healthcare professions in the field of rehabilitation, including psychiatric rehabilitation therapy, neuro- and psychomotor therapy for children and adolescents, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology;
- L-24 – Psychological sciences and techniques and LM-51 – Psychology;
- L-19 – Education and Training Sciences (Professional Social-Pedagogical Educator);
- L-39 – Social Work and LM 87 – Social Work and Social Policy;
- additional relevant university degrees in the fields of healthcare, rehabilitation, psychology, or social education, deemed suitable by the Program Director and the Master’s Scientific Board.
Pursuant to Ministry of Healthcare Notice n. DIRP3°/AG/448 issued on March 5, 2002 (Official Gazette No. 110 of May 13, 2002) and current regulations governing Continuing Medical Education (CME), enrollment in post-basic university training courses, including masters, allows healthcare professionals to be exempt from the requirement to earn CME credits for the duration of their actual course attendance. This exemption reduces the individual’s continuing education requirement and is recognized in accordance with the procedures established by the national CME system and registered through the Co.Ge.A.P.S. portal by the professional concerned.
Educational objectives
The Master aims to train professionals in the healthcare and social-educational fields who are capable of working in a skilled, responsible, and integrated manner in the various settings where mental health is promoted.
Specifically, upon completion of the Master, the candidates will be able to:
- Deepen theoretical and clinical knowledge of major psychiatric disorders and psychopathological conditions, with a particular focus on the different stages of the life cycle and the biological, psychological, and social factors that influence mental health.
- Apply advanced intervention and care models based on the biopsychosocial approach, integrating clinical, rehabilitative, educational, and psychosocial expertise into the care of the individual.
- Conduct a multidimensional assessment of the needs of individuals with mental disorders, using clinical, functional, and psychosocial assessment tools, and contribute to the development of individualized treatment and rehabilitation plans.
- Plan and implement care, rehabilitation, and educational interventions aimed at restoring personal, relational, and social autonomy, while promoting pathways toward empowerment and inclusion in the community.
- Managing crisis situations and psychiatric emergencies, recognising early warning signs (such as suicidal ideation or aggressive behaviour) and implementing strategies for prevention, de-escalation and the management of acute episodes, whilst ensuring the safety and dignity of the individual.
- Make effective use of therapeutic communication and the helping relationship, developing interpersonal skills that are useful for building a therapeutic alliance with the person being cared for and with their family and social network.
- Work within multi-professional teams, contributing to the planning, management and monitoring of care pathways in mental health services, and promoting the integration of healthcare, rehabilitation, psychological and educational expertise.
- Promote continuity of care between hospitals and the local community, working across various mental health settings, such as inpatient psychiatric services, community-based services, therapeutic communities, residential and semi-residential facilities, services for substance use disorders, and home-based interventions.
- Intervene in situations of psychosocial vulnerability, with a particular focus on the most vulnerable sections of the population, such as children, people with neurodivergent conditions, migrants and individuals experiencing social marginalization.
- Operate in compliance with current regulations and ethical and professional principles, with particular reference to psychiatric legislation and the current organisation of psychiatric services, compulsory treatment (TSO), informed consent and the protection of the rights of people experiencing mental distress.
Tuition Fee
The tuition fee for the master is € 3900,00
Registration
Students who wish to enrol may request an appointment with the Orientation Office by calling +39 06 3400 6000.
Faculty
The internal faculty is comprised of professors and professionals with many years of proven clinical and scientific experience in the disciplines covered by the programme, ensuring a high standard of training and a seamless integration of research, teaching and clinical practice.
Direction of the Master
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Giovanni Camardese
Psichiatra e Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist; Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Link Campus University, Rome; Clinical Psychiatry Unit, “A. Gemelli” University Polyclinic Foundation IRCCS, Rome.
Academic Management
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Michele Ribolsi
Psichiatra e Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist; Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Link Campus University, Rome; Mental Health and Substance Abuse Unit in the Criminal Justice System, Department of Mental Health, ASL Roma 1. -
Alexia Koukopoulos
Psychiatrist; Tenure-track Researcher, Link Campus University, Rome.
Scientific Board
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Paolo Ferrara (Manager)
Nurse, PhD. Academic Director, Bachelor’s Degree Programme in Nursing – San Paolo Campus – ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, Milan. -
Saverio Potenza
Associate Professor of Forensic Medicine, Link Campus University, Rome -
Antonella Buccione
Psychologist and Psychotherapist, Specialist in Psychodiagnostics, Psychological Assessment and Forced Migration; Link Campus University, Rome. -
Antonio M. D’Onofrio
Professor of Psychiatry; Link Campus University, Rome. -
Rebecca Macchiagodena
Psychiatric Rehabilitation Specialist - Villa Von Siebenthal, Genzano (Rome)
PROGRAMME
Synchronous Lessons 30 CFU and Asynchronous Lessons 12 CFU
Presential and Practical Activities (3 CFU)
The practical module is designed to help students acquire and consolidate the clinical, interpersonal and organisational skills gained in the theoretical modules, through workshops and simulated exercises in a safe, supervised environment.
Final Project Work (15 CFU)
At the end of the Master, there is a final assessment consisting of the development and presentation of an original project under the guidance of a supervising professor. The final assessment typically takes the form of a dissertation or project work in which the student explores a topic related to mental health and psychiatric care practices, applying the skills acquired during the course in an integrated manner.
The final dissertation culminates in an oral presentation before an examination board, during which the candidate presents their work and answers questions, highlighting the course of study they have undertaken. Successful completion of the final examination, along with the accumulation of all the credits required by the modules, leads to the award of a I level Master.