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Chapter 2: Contemporary Clinical Psychology
Chapter 2 – Contemporary Clinical Psychology
Chapter Overview
Clinical psychology is one of the most popular professions in psychology, and the
one for which most people are familiar with when you mention psychology. The
public typically assumes clinical psychologists provide only one-on-one therapy
with patients and clients; however, we know that clinical psychologists provide a
wide array of services such as assessment, consultation, research, teaching,
supervision, and administrative duties. As the field is diverse, so are the
theoretical orientations of clinical psychologists as well as the training programs.
This chapter provides students with an overview of the state-of-the-field in clinical
psychology. It offers the opportunity for students to broaden their scope and
consider new directions for their academic as well as career pursuits. The three
profiles of actual clinical psychologists give students a real-world taste of clinical
psychology in an honest, unbiased fashion.
Chapter Contents

Introduction

Activities of Clinical Psychologists

Assessment and Diagnosis

Intervention

Prevention

Consultation

Research

Teaching and Supervision

Administration

Employment Settings

The Two Pillars of Clinical Psychology: Science and Ethics

Training in Clinical Psychology

Models of Training in Clinical Psychology

Accreditation of Clinical Psychology Programs
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Chapter 2: Contemporary Clinical Psychology

Licensure in Clinical Psychology

Summary and Conclusions
Learning Objectives
1. What are the major professional activities of clinical psychologists?
2. What is the major diagnostic system in the United States?
3. What are the various forms of interventions?
4. Describe the various theoretical orientations of clinical psychologists.
5. Discuss the difference between primary, secondary, and tertiary
interventions.
6. Describe the role of a consultation psychologist.
7. Discuss the role of teaching and supervision.
8. What is the difference between clinical versus research supervision?
9. How do ethics play a role in every aspect of a psychologist’s career?
10. Discuss the issues of stress in a psychologist’s life.
11. What are the various models of training in clinical psychology?
12. Why is accreditation of a clinical psychology program important?
13. How does a clinical psychologist obtain licensure?
14. Is board certification a requirement?
Up for Discussion
1. What attracts people to the mental health professions?
2. What are the issues with a student taking psychology courses as a
substitute for actual mental health treatment?
3. Currently, only Louisiana, New Mexico, and the territory of Guam allow
psychologists to write prescriptions for psychotropic medications. Should
other states follow suit or should medical doctors (e.g. psychiatrists) be
the only ones writing prescriptions? Discuss the benefits and risks.
4. Why is cognitive-behavioral treatment a popular theoretical orientation?
5. Why is integrative/eclectic a second-popular theoretical orientation?
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Chapter 2: Contemporary Clinical Psychology
6. Why do some clinical psychologists prefer engage in other activities rather
than only treat patients? Why is that important?
7. Clinical supervision is necessary for graduate students in training, but
should there be a requirement for seasoned psychologists as well? Why
or why not?
8. What are the ethical violations of dating patients, business partnerships
with patients, disclosing confidential information to others, and treating
friends and family?
9. Why is the emotional health just as, if not more important, than the
physical health of the clinical psychologist?
10. Consider a recently divorced male clinical psychologist and a new female
client recently widowed. What are the ethical issues, what are the
professional issues? Is the clinical psychologist clinically healthy? What
would be the best option?
11. What are the advantages and disadvantages to the various models of
training?
12. Can anyone call himself or herself a psychologist?
Out-of-Class Activities
1. Have students select a professional activity that they would like to pursue
as a clinical psychologist and ask them to explain why they find it
interesting. This should be a written assignment although the length is at
the instructor’s discretion.
2. Ask students to look up prescribing privileges for psychologists on the
internet and document what they find in order to present an argument for
or against prescriptive authority. The class can be divided into teams for
or against prescriptive authority. The instructor will serve as the
moderator. Additionally, the instructor may want to add another team to
play the role of a state licensing board for added discussion. This team
would have to research the respective state licensing board ahead of time.
3. Ask students to research the prescriptive privileges for psychologists in
New Mexico and Louisiana and discuss the qualifications for obtaining a
license to prescribe. Students should focus on training, background, and
clinical supervision. This can be a written exercise or discussed in class.
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Chapter 2: Contemporary Clinical Psychology
In class, you can encourage discussion as to whether the requirements
are too stringent, too weak, or adequate.
4. Ask students to think about why they are considering a career in the
mental health field and to complete a chart detailing the pros and cons of
working with patients. Students should consider stress, malpractice,
educational requirements, their own personal issues, and work-life
balance. Students should be honest with themselves and consider what
parts of clinical psychology are truly attractive and what parts are not. The
purpose is not to discourage students from the field, but to give them a
realistic view of what their career path may be.
5. Have students visit the American Psychological Association website on
the Ethical Principles of Psychologists and the Code of Conduct. Have
them choose a section, explain how one could violate a code, and discuss
the consequences of such a violation. Have them consider why this
particular section is there.
Web Links
Ethics and other research topics are discussed at the APA website.
http://www.apa.org/ethics/code/index.aspx
The American Board of Professional Psychology provides information on a variety
of post-doctoral specialty designations.
http://www.abpp.org
The website of the American Psychological Association includes information
related to the science and practice of psychology and provides information on
accreditation as well as listing accredited programs. Provides links to licensing
organizations in the United States.
www.apa.org
Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards is the association of
Canadian and U.S. licensing boards in psychology.
http://www.asppb.org
Australian Psychological Society provides information on licensure in Australia,
including an assessment of psychology qualifications for candidates from
overseas who wish to be registered as a psychologist in Australia.
http://www.psychology.org.au/
British Psychological Society includes an excellent publication So you want to be a
psychologist that is packed with information about training and careers in
psychology in the United Kingdom.
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Chapter 2: Contemporary Clinical Psychology
http://www.bps.org.uk
Canadian Psychological Association provides information on accreditation as well
as listing accredited programs. Provides links to licensing organizations in Canada.
http://www.cpa.ca
New Zealand Psychological Society provides links to the regulatory body, the New
Zealand Psychologists Board
http://www.psychology.org.nz
This is the home page of the American Psychiatric Association, the publishers of
the DSM-5. You will find links to the various sections, journals, and online
resources about education, practice, and self-help resources. Most psychiatrists
belong to this organization.
http://www.psych.org/
Video Suggestions
Final Analysis (DVD, color, 124 min.) 124 min. Dr. Issac Barr is a well-known
psychiatrist who is treating a woman for numerous issues. His patient’s sister
seduces him, and he becomes entangled into a trap. There are numerous ethical
violations to discuss. 1992 Warner Brothers.
Ordinary People (DVD, color, 124 min.) This is a classic movie on how
depression affects the family, but it also illustrates the work of therapists and the
complexity of treatment. 1981 Paramount.
Mr. Jones (DVD, color, 114 min.) Mr. Jones is a man suffering from bipolar
disorder, a disease that affords him periods of intense emotional pleasure and
expansiveness but which also results in periods of suicidal depression. Libbie, a
doctor at a psychiatric hospital, takes an interest in his condition, and in him. This
is an excellent example of when boundaries are crossed with patients. 1993
Tristar Pictures.
Suggested Readings
Barnett, J. E., & Johnson, W. B. (2008). Ethics desk reference for psychologists.
Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Hersen, M., & Gross, A. M. (Eds.). (2007). Handbook of clinical psychology.
Volume 1, Adults. New York: John Wiley and Sons, Publishers.
Hersen, M., & Gross, A. M. (Eds.). (2007). Handbook of clinical psychology.
Volume 2, Children and adolescents. New York: John Wiley and Sons,
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Chapter 2: Contemporary Clinical Psychology
Publishers.
Klitzman, R., (2008). When Doctors Become Patients. 2008. Klitzman, R.,
Oxford University Press.
American Psychological Association. (2007). Getting In: A Step By Step Plan for
Gaining Admission to Graduate School in Psychology. American
Psychological Association
Sternberg, R.J. (2007). Career Paths in Psychology: Where Your Degree Can
Take You. American Psychological Association.
Lowman, R.L., (2006). The Ethical Practice of Psychology in Organizations.
American Psychological Association.
Mayne, T.J., Norcross, J.C., & Sayette, M.A., (2006). Insider’s Guide to Graduate
Programs in Clinical and Counseling Psychology – 2006-2007 Edition.
Guilford Press.
VandenBos, G.R., (2007). APA dictionary of Psychology. American
Psychological Association.
Brewer, N. & Williams, K.D. (2005). Psychology and Law: An Empirical
Perspective. The Guilford Press.
Geller, J.D., Norcorss, J.C., & Orlinsky, D.E. (2005). The Psychotherapist’s Own
Psychotherapy: Patient and Clinician Perspectives. Oxford University
Press.
Hanson, S.L., Kerkhoff, T.R., & Bush, S.S. (2005). Health Care Ethics for
Psychologists: A Casebook. American Psychological Association.
Bentley, K.J. (2003). Psychiatric Medication Issues for Social Workers,
Counselors, and Psychologists. The Haworth Social Work Practice Press.
Prinstein, M. J. & Patterson, M. D. (2003). The Portable Mentor: Expert Guide to
a Successful Career in Psychology. Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers.
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