Introduction to Clinical Psychology Carolyn R Fallahi Ph

Introduction to Clinical Psychology Carolyn R. Fallahi, Ph. D. 1

What is a Clinical Psychologist? Research n Teaching n Services n Across the Lifespan n Varying cultures n Various SES levels n 2

Activities Engaged in by a Clinical Psychologist Therapy/Intervention n Diagnosis/Assessment n Clinical Supervision n Teaching n Research n Consultation n Administration n 3

Related Health Professions Psychiatry n Counseling Psychology n Psychiatric Social Workers n School Psychologists n Rehabilitation Psychologists n Health Psychologists n Psychiatric Nurses n 4

Issues in both Counseling & Clinical Ph. D. programs APA accreditation n Licensure n Psychologist – protected term n Psychological testing n Issues with Psychologists providing medication n 5

What is involved with a degree in Clinical Psychology? Statistics n Psychotherapy n Social psychology n Research n Psychometrics (test construction) n Assessment (adult or child) n 6

What is involved with a degree in Clinical Psychology? Clinical Practicum n Ethical & Professional Issues n Psychopathology n Neuroscience n Family & Group Process n Cognitive Psychology n 7

What is involved with a degree in Clinical Psychology? Experimental Psychopathology n Developmental n History & systems of psychology n Violence in the family n Internship n Research n The qualifying examination n 8

Other Issues APA approved internship programs n Psy. D. vs. Ph. D. n Ph. D. Model or Boulder model of training. n 9

Models of training n n 1949 landmark conference in Boulder, Colorado = Boulder model or the scientist-practitioner model. Evidence based medicine. More applied model. Metzoff (1984): If we train purely applied psychologists, they will be obliged to accept on faith what is handed down to them without being able to evaluate it. 10

The Psy. D. degree U. of Illinois (1968). n Fear: that Psy. D’s won’t find employment. n 11

Professional Schools n n n No affiliations with universities. Autonomous with their own financial & organizational framework. 1987 – 45 professional schools. ½ doctorates in clinical psychology awarded by professional schools. Major handicap…. Many are not APA accredited. 12

Professional Regulation Who is well trained & who is not? n This is an attempt to protect public interest. n Certification – guarantees that people cannot call themselves “psychologists” unless certified by a state board of examiners. n 13

Licensing n n n Specifies nature of the title (psychologist) & training required for licensure. Usually defines what specific professional activities may be offered to the public for a fee. Usual requirements: Education: doctoral degree from an APA-accredited Counseling or Clinical program ¨ Experience: 1 -2 years of supervised postdoctoral clinical experienced required. ¨ Examinations: must pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology & whatever state examinations. ¨ 14

Licensing n Requirements continued: ¨ Administrative Requirements ¨ Specialties 15

American Board of Professional Psychology n n ABPP 1947 established. Certification of professional competence in the fields of behavioral psychology, clinical health psychology, clinical neuropsychology, counseling psychology, family psychology, forensic psychology, group psychology, psychoanalysis, rehabilitation psychology & school psychology. Oral exam, observations, clinical records, 5 years post doctoral experience. 16

National Register Self-certification. n Licensed / certified in state. n Private Practice n Managed health care. 17

APA recommended changes Health care delivery systems n Sensitivity to ethical issues n Multidisciplinary environments n Managed-care-relevant clinical skills n Expertise in applied research n Management & business skills n technology n 18

Prescription Privileges APA endorsed n Background n Benefits or Pros n Cons n 19

Multicultural Issues Pluralistic Society n APA (2003) guidelines. n Sue (1998) We must demonstrate cultural competence: a knowledge and appreciation of other cultural groups and the skills to be effective with members of these groups. n 20

Sue (1998) Scientific mindedness n Dynamic sizing n Culture-specific expertise n n Issues of gender 21

Ethical Standards n n n APA (1951). Most recent version 2002. 5 general principles: ¨ Beneficence & non-maleficience ¨ Fidelity & responsibility ¨ Integrity ¨ Justice ¨ Respect for people’s rights & dignity 22

Competence n n Represent their training accurately. Actively present themselves correctly. Sensitive to treatment or assessment issues that could be influenced by a patient’s gender, ethnic or racial background, age, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or SES. Safeguard patients against personal issues that could affect performance. 23

Privacy & Confidentiality The role of confidentiality in the clientpsychologist relationship. n Not all information is deemed “privileged”. n 1976 Tarasoff case. n Jaffe v. Redmond (1996). n 24

Human Relations Dual relationships. n Sexual harassment & sexual intimacies n Client welfare. n 25

Other issues involving psychologists. Radio Call-in shows, TV talk shows, Internet groups…ethical? n Principle 2. 64 -1 n 2002 APA ruling. n 26