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Introduction to Clinical Psychology

Carolyn R. Fallahi, Ph. D.

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What is a Clinical Psychologist?

Research Teaching Services Across the Lifespan Varying cultures Various SES levels

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

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Related Health Professions

Psychiatry Counseling Psychology Psychiatric Social Workers School Psychologists Rehabilitation Psychologists Health Psychologists Psychiatric Nurses

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

medication

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

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

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

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Other Issues

APA approved internship programs Psy. D. vs. Ph. D. Ph. D. Model or Boulder model of training.

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Models of training

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.

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The Psy. D. degree

U. of Illinois (1968). Fear: that Psy. D’s won’t find

employment.

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Professional Schools

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.

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Professional Regulation

Who is well trained & who is not? This is an attempt to protect public

interest. Certification – guarantees that people

cannot call themselves “psychologists” unless certified by a state board of examiners.

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Licensing

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.

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Licensing

Requirements continued:Administrative RequirementsSpecialties

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American Board of Professional Psychology ABPP 1947 established. Certification of professional competence in the fields of

behavioral psychology, clinical 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.

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National Register

Self-certification. Licensed / certified in state.

Private Practice Managed health care.

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APA recommended changes

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

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Prescription Privileges

APA endorsed Background Benefits or Pros Cons

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Multicultural Issues

Pluralistic Society APA (2003) guidelines. 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.

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Sue (1998)

Scientific mindedness Dynamic sizing Culture-specific expertise

Issues of gender

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Ethical Standards

APA (1951). Most recent version 2002. 5 general principles:

Beneficence & non-maleficience Fidelity & responsibility Integrity Justice Respect for people’s rights & dignity

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Competence

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.

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Privacy & Confidentiality

The role of confidentiality in the client-psychologist relationship.

Not all information is deemed “privileged”. 1976 Tarasoff case. Jaffe v. Redmond (1996).

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Human Relations

Dual relationships. Sexual harassment & sexual intimacies Client welfare.

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Other issues involving psychologists. Radio Call-in shows, TV talk shows,

Internet groups…ethical? Principle 2.64-1 2002 APA ruling.