The Professional Training of Clinical Psychologists
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Transcript The Professional Training of Clinical Psychologists
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The Professional Training
of Clinical Psychologists
3rd
Melody N. Mickens, B.A.
year Clinical Psychology Doctoral Student
Virginia Commonwealth University
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Learning Objectives
Describe what clinical psychology is and how clinical
psychologists are trained
Discuss some of the career paths available to clinical
psychologists
Explain key challenges for the field of clinical psychology
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What is Clinical Psychology?
“The integration of science, theory and practice to understand, predict
and alleviate maladjustment, disability and discomfort as well as to
promote human adaptation, adjustment and personal development.”
-American Psychological Association, Society of Clinical
Psychology (Division 12)
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Assessment
RESEARCH
Personality and
human
development
Clinical Psychology
Psychopathology
Psychotherapy
and behavior
change
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Scientist-Practitioner Model of
Training
Scientist
Practitioner
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Ph.D versus Psy.D. : What’s the
difference?
Ph.D programs
Follow a “scientist-practitioner” model of training
Heavy emphasis on research and preparation for a career in clinical
and academic settings
Smaller class sizes (4-15 students) and funding for students
masters thesis and dissertation research with data collection
Psy.D programs
Follow a “practitioner-scholar” model of training
Heavier emphasis on clinical work and research related to clinical
practice
Larger class sizes (100+), high tuition costs, no financial support,
lower internship match rates that result in students completing
internships at non-accredited sites
Rarely involves masters thesis and dissertation can be a theory paper
in many programs
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Counseling Psychology PhD
Leads to same license as clinical psychology PhD
Smaller number of programs, with slightly different emphasis
(similar to D.O. vs. M.D. training)
VCU Psychology Department has both programs (very
unusual) with large overlap in courses and training. Both
work on MCV campus and in primary care.
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Applying the Scientist-Practitioner
Model
The Training of Clinical
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Psychologists
Training Overview
Undergraduate education
Graduate education
5-6 years to earn Ph.D.
Internship required to earn Ph.D (shortage of accredited internships has created
stress for students and training programs)
Post-doctoral fellowship (Optional in some cases)
Licensure and board certification
Continuing education to maintain license and certifications
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Two Tracks in Clinical Program at VCU
Behavioral Medicine*
Generalist training focused on
psychopathology, assessment,
treatment and research with
adults
Specialist training for research
and clinical work in health
settings
* Also know as Health
Psychology. VCU Counseling
PhD has same track.
Child and Adolescent
Training focused on
understanding human
development, family and
social aspects of human
development, research,
assessment and the treatment
of children and adolescents
with psychopathology.
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Year One
Complete coursework
Intellectual & personality assessment, psychopathology,
biological basis of behavior, statistics, behavior therapy and
clinical interviewing skills
Work ~ 20 hours at an assistantship
Teaching a course or the lab/discussion section of an
undergraduate or graduate course
Recruiting participants for a faculty member’s research, running
intervention groups or collecting data from participants or
analyzing data
Independent research
Collaborating with a faculty advisor or mentor
Reading and discussing literature for thesis
Analyzing data for an abstract or poster for a conference
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Year Two
Complete coursework
Research methodology, psychometrics, health psychology,
learning and cognition and neuropsychology
Work ~ 20 hours at an assistantship
Begin clinical practicum at CPSD
Independent Research
Thesis proposal and data collection
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Clinical practicum at the
Center for Psychological
Services and
Development (CPSD)
2nd year students begin working as staff
therapists at the CPSD in the fall semester
CPSD is a clinic operated by VCU’s
Psychology department
Services are provided on a sliding fee
scale based on patient’s income and
insurance
Services include
Individual therapy for children and
adults
Couples therapy
Assessment (court ordered evaluations,
ADHD/LD, therapeutic &
neuropsychological)
Family therapy
Group therapy
Career counseling
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Additional Department Clinics
Anxiety Clinic (CPSD)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
(CBT) focus for individuals
with anxiety disorders
Training in exposure therapy
Peer supervision model
Primary Care Psychology Clinic
Students treat patients at MCV’s
ACC Resident Clinic for a variety
of psychological and health
related disorders
Weight loss, depression,
smoking cessation, diabetes
management, anxiety and
adjustment to chronic illness
Students collaborate with
residents, a medical social worker
and pharmacist students to
integrate patient care
Assessment Clinic (CPSD)
Students administer, score
and report findings from
psychological assessments
Students gain experience in
case conceptualization and
assessment administration,
scoring and report writing
Child and Adolescent Primary
Care Clinic
Similar to PCPC, but with
children, adolescents and
families at Children’s Pavillion
To begin in January, 2011
Funded by same HRSA grant
as PCPC
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Year Three
Complete elective coursework
Work ~ 20 hours at an assistantship (one option is Primary
Care via grant funding)
Complete clinical practicum at CPSD and apply for offcampus practicum
Independent research
Thesis defenseobtain Masters’ degree
Dissertation proposal
Complete comprehensive examinations (50 page paper
worthy of journal submission)
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Year Four
Begin off-campus practicum
Continue with clinical work at Anxiety clinic or Primary Care
Clinics
Independent research
Internship applications and interviews
Work ~ 20 hours at assistantship
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Off-campus
Practicum Training
3rd year students apply to work at
several training sites within the Metro
Richmond area or DC area
Training sites
Hunter Holmes McGuire VAMC
Virginia Treatment Center for
Children
Central State Psychiatric Hospital,
Petersburg, VA
UVA Center for Addiction
Research and Education
VCU Department of Psychiatry:
burn unit, transplant and gastric
bypass evaluations and treatment
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Year Five or Six
Complete internship
Defend dissertation
Graduate
OR
Off-campus practicum
Dissertation data
collection
Internship applications
and interviews
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Internship
Application process includes a written application, an
invitation to interview, interviews and then match process
similar to medical residency
Internships typically begin in July or August and include
extensive training for one year
Internship allows students the opportunity to work
autonomously in a new setting and to experience some of the
challenges that licensed clinicians face
Interns continue to receive supervision and training through
clinical rotations, where they often have the opportunity to
practice in sub-specialties such as neuropsychology, forensic
psychology, integrated primary care psychology,
rehabilitation psychology, sports psychology, program
evaluation and development.
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Internship sites
Agency Types:
VA hospitals
Community mental health centers
Medical schools
Prisons and correctional facilities
Private and state owned hospitals (general or psychiatric)
University counseling centers
Outpatient clinics
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Post-graduate training
Post-doctoral fellowship
2 year training opportunity
Training in a sub-specialty area such as neuropsychology,
addiction psychology, primary care psychology and health
disparities research
Mixture of research and clinical focus with some programs
emphasizing one area over the other
Provides clinical hours needed to achieve board credentials in
sub-specialty areas
Licensure and credentialing
Licensure by state board
Credentialing by specialty boards and professional organizations
American Board of Professional Psychology
Continuing education requirements
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What do clinical psychologists do?
Assess intellectual development,
psychopathology, adjustment and
personal growth
Treat psychological disorders and
individuals experiencing symptoms of
psychological distress in a variety of
settings
Teach at university psychology and
psychiatry departments
Conduct research in the community
Consult with government agencies, private
institutions, businesses and organizations
Lead and participate in professional
organizations
Publish and edit journals and books
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Career paths of VCU grads
65% work at academic medical centers or VA hospitals with
adult or pediatric populations and are frequently involved in
both clinical service and research
20% work in private practice
5-10% work at universities or colleges as tenure track
professors
5-10% work as administrators for various health care
organizations
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other mental health providers (MSW, MA
level counselors, Psychiatrists)
Major differences
Different training models, professional degrees and areas
of competency
Different ethical standards
American Psychological Association
Psychologists complete training in intellectual, cognitive
and personality assessments
Research skills and clinical competencies provide
leadership expertise
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Five challenges for the profession
of clinical psychology:
Are for-profit programs creating too many psychologists and how
will this affect the field over time? Note: most limitations placed
on the “free market” of training would be considered illegal
Shortage of accredited internships, required by many programs
and licensure boards
Differentiating competencies and justifying higher
reimbursement rates for doctoral trained psychologists relative to
masters level mental health providers
Moving toward an outcomes oriented reimbursement model that
still embraces diverse orientations to practice
Clinical psychologists continuing to find new niches that
capitalize on unique expertise in measurement and research
skills
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Summary
Clinical psychologists:
Complete rigorous training to achieve a Ph.D. or Psy.D.,
licensure and credentials
Use their knowledge of science and research to understand
and treat a variety of disorders or promote adjustment
Practice in a variety of settings
Fulfill many roles as researchers, educators, consultants and
clinicians
References
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Slide 3:
Society of Clinical Psychology. (2010) “What is Clinical Psychology?” Available from
http://www.div12.orgabout-clinical-psychology
Comic courtesy of http://www.zjobs.com.au/imagespsychologist.jpg
Slide 4:
Graphic courtesy of http://www.uaa.alaska.edu/dssinformation/images/NM0504-PSYCHOLOGY.jpg
Slide 5:
Scientist comic courtesy of http://www.age-of-the-sage.orgpsychology/pavlov.html
Practitioner comic courtesy of cartoonstock.com
Slide 7:
Graph courtesy of http://ed-web3.educ.msu.edu/CEPSE/cpimages/table.gif
Slide 8:
Comic courtesy of phdcomics.com
Slide 9:
Rat in Skinner box courtesy of http://www.superstock.com/stock-photos-images
1566-0123734
Photo courtesy of http://www.wm.edu/research/ideation/issues/2010-spring/facingrace-008.php
Slide 14:
Photo courtesy of CPSD staff
Slide 19:
Photo courtesy of http://www.richmond.va.gov/
Photo courtesy of http://yourunitedway.org/images/jewish_family_services.bmp
Photo courtesy of http://www.virginiakids.net/pics/logo.jpg
Photo courtesy of
http://www.medicine.virginia.edu/clinical/departments/psychiatry/sections/neurobiologicalstudies/
uvacare/home-page
Slide 20:
Photo courtesy of
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bWyMZGz_G0c/TNi5zjznt8I/AAAAAAAAA3c/oK95SU73EfQ/s1600/The+Li
ght+At+the+End+of+the+Tunnel.jpg
Slide 24:
Photo courtesy of http://www.paranormalknowledge.com/articles/5-articles-on-psychology.html