Introduction to
Clinical Psychology:
Science, Practice and Ethics
Chapter 1
Definition and Training
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APA Division 12 Definition
“The field of Clinical Psychology integrates
science, theory, and practice to understand,
predict, and alleviate maladjustment, disability,
and discomfort as well as to promote human
adaptation, adjustment, and personal
development. Clinical Psychology focuses on the
intellectual, emotional, biological, psychological,
social, and behavioral aspects of human
functioning across the life span, in varying
cultures, and at all socioeconomic levels.”
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Characteristics of Clinical
Psychology
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Emphasis on science
• Determinism
• Empiricism
• Hypothetical constructs
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Emphasis on maladjustment
Emphasis on the individuals
(nomethetic vs. idiographic)
Emphasis on Helping
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Activities of Clinical Psychologists
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Research
Teaching
Psychotherapy
Psychological
assessment
Consultation
Administration
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Norcross, Karg, & Prochaska, 1997
Activity
% involved in
Psychotherapy
84
Diagnosis/Assessment
74
Teaching
50
Clinical Supervision
62
Research/Writing
47
Consultation
54
Administration
52
% Time
37
15
09
07
10
07
11
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A day in the life of a Clinical
Psychologist (Dr Melinda Losee)
Monday
8:00 - check messages, e-mail, return calls
9:00 - psychotherapy client
10:00 - psychotherapy client
11:00 - case conference -review new cases
12:00 - continuing education luncheon
1:00 - intake new psychotherapy client
2:00 - consult with psychiatrist re: inpatients
3:00 - intake new psychotherapy client
4:00 - supervision of Master’s level clinicians
5:00 - paperwork
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A day in the life of a Clinical
Psychologist (Dr. Melinda Losee)
Tuesday
8:00 - exercise
9:00 - check messages, return calls, prepare
10:00 - score/interpret psychological testing
11:00 - report writing
12:00 - lunch
1:00 - psychotherapy client
2:00 - psychological evaluation
3:00 - psychological evaluation continued
4:00 - psychotherapy client
5:00 - paper work/return calls
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A day in the life of a Clinical
Psychologist (Dr. Melinda Losee)
Wednesday
8:00 - check phone and e-mail, return calls
9:00 - report writing
10:00 – psychotherapy client
11:00 – Policy Committee
12:00 – Wellness Committee/lunch
1:00 - consultation with inpatient psychiatry
2:00 - consultation continued
3:00 - consultation continued
4:00 - report-writing
5:00 - paper work/return calls
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Distinguishing Clinical Psychology
from Related Professions
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Psychiatry
Clinical Social Work
Counseling
Psychology
Consultation
School Psychology
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Training in Clinical Psychology
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Undergraduate
preparation
Graduate School
Continuing
Professional
Education
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Undergraduate Preparation
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Education in Psychology
•
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Basic psychology courses
Clinically-relevant courses
Statistics and research methods
Broad Liberal Arts Education
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“Hard” sciences
Related social sciences
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Getting into Graduate School
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Grade Point Average
Graduate Record Exams
Research experience
Clinically-relevant experience
Letters of recommendation
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Graduate Training in Clinical
Psychology: Overview
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Scientist-Practitioner Model
Criticisms of Scientist-Practitioner Model
Alternative Model – Psy.D.
Professional Schools
Clinical-Scientist Model
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Scientist-Practitioner Model
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Clinical Psychology – a branch of
scientific psychology
Training in research and practice
Link between science and practice
“Scientist-practitioner psychologists
embody a research orientation in their
practice and a practice relevance in
their research” (Belar & Perry, 1999)
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Scientist-Practitioner Training
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Training in three broad areas:
• Research
• Assessment
• Intervention
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Advanced education in core areas of psychology
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Biological bases
Learning and cognition
Social influences
Individual differences
Experiential learning
• Clinical practica (leading to pre-doctoral internship)
• Research mentoring (leading to doctoral dissertation)
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Terms
Scientist-practitioner
model = Boulder
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Criticisms of Boulder Model
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Training is not integrated
Faculty are poor role-models
Most applicants interested in practice
Few clinical psychologist do research
Research training not necessary to be
a good clinician
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Alternatives to Scientist-Practitioner
Model
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Scholar-practitioner model (Vail model)
De-emphasis on research experience
(although continue training in research)
Relatively greater emphasis on
psychological service delivery
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Alternative Degree
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Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.)
Emphasis is on training for practice
First program 1968 – University of
Illinois
Currently – about 25% of APA
accredited doctoral training programs
in clinical psychology offer Psy.D.
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Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.)
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Focus of training is on clinical service
delivery
Exposure to research methods – but
not expected to do research
Dissertation does not require original
research
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Professional Schools
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Free-standing (not affiliated with a
university)
For-profit private institutions
Emphasis is on clinical training
Psy.D. or Ph.D.
Accept large classes
Faculty tend to be part-time
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Free-Standing Professional School
vs.
University-Based Doctoral Program
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Costs
Class size
Faculty
Research Emphasis
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Clinical-Scientist
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Commitment to training in research
Commitment to training in assessment
and therapy methods that have
research support
Prepare students for careers in clinical
research
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Academy of Psychological Clinical
Science
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To foster training in clinical science
research
To advance clinical science research and
theory
To foster application of clinical science to
human problems in responsible and
innovative ways
To foster dissemination of clinical
science
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Graduate Training Programs in Clinical Psychology
Scholar Practitioner
S
c
i
e
n
c
e
Scientist Practitioner
Clinical Scientist
P
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a
c
t
i
c
e
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Post-Doctoral Training
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Licensure
• Most states require one year of supervised
post-doctoral experience
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Research/Academic Career
• 1 to 3 years of pos-doctoral training
experience is common
• Grant-supported post-doctoral fellowships
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Continuing Professional Education
“Continuing Professional Education (CPE) in
psychology is an ongoing process consisting of
formal learning activities that (1) are relevant
to psychological practice, education and
science, (2) enable psychologists to keep pace
with emerging issues and technologies, and (3)
allow psychologists to maintain, develop, and
increase competencies in order to improve
service to the public and enhance contributions
to the profession” (American Psychological
Association)
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Continuing Professional Education
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Maintaining
licensure
Expanding practice
Voluntary
certification (e.g.,
ABPP)
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