Chapter 1
Clinical Psychology:
Definition and Training
46-333 Intro to Clinical Psychology
Michael Strating, MA, PhD Candidate
F18
2 What is Clinical Psychology?
APA (2012a), Division 12:
“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.”
“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.”
Pomerantz (2017):
“the rigorous study and applied practice directed toward understanding and
improving the psychological facets of the human experience, including but not
limited to issues or problems of behavior, emotions, or intellect.”
3 Education & Training in Clinical
Psychology
Doctoral degree in clinical psychology:
4+ years of coursework in psychotherapy, assessment, statistics, research design and
methodology, and biological/cognitive-affective/social bases of behavior
Master’s thesis & Doctoral dissertation
Practicum (supervised clinical work)
1 year predoctoral internship
1-2 year postdoctoral internship
Licensing exams: EPPP, Jurisprudence & ethics, Oral exam
Specializations available in:
clinical child, clinical adult, clinical neuropsychology,
clinical health, forensic, and family
4 Training Models
Scientist-Practitioner (Boulder) Model
Joint emphasis on both _practice_________ and _______research___ (PhD degree)
Criticism: minority of psychologists entering __________________________________
Practitioner-Scholar (Vail) Model
Less training in __________, more in ____________________ (PsyD degree)
Criticism: __________ should be the bedrock of clinical psychology
Clinical Scientist Model
Less training in __________, more in __________ (PhD degree)
Practitioner-Scientist- Clinical
Scholar Practitioner Scientist
5 Applying to Graduate School
Know your options: psychology, psychiatry, social work, nursing, occupational
therapist, case manager, housing support worker, dietician, etc.
Select graduate program: training model, faculty research, clinical orientations,
geography, etc.
Transcripts:
Earn high grades, particularly in statistics, research methods, psychopathology,
biopsychology, and personality – an honours thesis is a MUST
Reference Letters:
Get to know professors, get research experience (a publication, if you can)
CV – clinically-relevant paid and volunteer experience
Community mental health centres, crisis hotline, camps for children with
behavioural/emotional issues, etc.
Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
Personal Statements
Highlight career goals, personal strengths and qualifications, match with program
6 Professional Activities
Where do clinical psychologists work?
30-41% private practice
19% university psyc department
15% other (government, public schools,
substance abuse centre, corporation,
university counseling centre)
2-9% psychiatric hospitals, general hospitals,
community mental health centres, medical
schools, and Veteran Affairs medical centres
What do clinical psychologists do?
76-87% do psychotherapy (31-37% of the
time)
More than half do diagnosis/assessment,
teaching, supervision, research/writing,
consultation, and administration
7 How are clinical psychologists
different from…
Counseling Psychologists
Not as distinct as they used to be
More likely to work with less pathological clients in university counseling
centres
Less likely to work in hospitals and inpatient psychiatric units
Relatively more humanistic/client-centered than behaviorist
Tend to be more interested in vocational testing and career counseling
Psychiatrists
Go to medical school & licensed as physicians
Able to prescribe medications (psychologists working toward prescription
privileges)
View client problems as primarily physiological abnormalities
8 How are clinical psychologists
different from…
Social Workers
Focused on interaction between individual and society
Problems seen as part of social ills (e.g., racism, oppression, poverty, abuse,
etc.)
Connect clients with social services (e.g., welfare, disability offices, job
training)
More likely to interact with clients in homes or workplaces
Only a master’s degree is required
School Psychologists
Assessment and program development for students’ educational and
emotional needs
Professional Counselors
Only a master’s degree is required
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