Clinical Psychology: Clinical Psychology: DefinitionDefinition

““The field of Clinical Psychology involves The field of Clinical Psychology involves research, teaching, and servicesresearch, teaching, and services relevant relevant to the applications of principles, to the applications of principles, methods, and procedures for methods, and procedures for understanding, predicting, and understanding, predicting, and alleviating intellectual, emotional, alleviating intellectual, emotional, biological, psychological, social and biological, psychological, social and behavioral maladjustment, disability and behavioral maladjustment, disability and discomfort, applied to a wide range of discomfort, applied to a wide range of client populations” (APA; Division 12).client populations” (APA; Division 12).

Research and teachingResearch and teaching

Most likely need a Ph.D. in clinical Most likely need a Ph.D. in clinical psychologypsychology

Nearly every Ph.D. in other areas of Nearly every Ph.D. in other areas of psychology (e.g., Developmental, Aging psychology (e.g., Developmental, Aging Studies, Social, Neuroscience) will allow Studies, Social, Neuroscience) will allow expertise in research and teaching, but expertise in research and teaching, but they do not typically provide training in they do not typically provide training in clinical service.clinical service.

Job settings include universities, colleges, Job settings include universities, colleges, teaching hospitals, research centers, etc.teaching hospitals, research centers, etc.

Services in Clinical Services in Clinical PsychologyPsychology

(Evidence Based Practice)(Evidence Based Practice) TherapyTherapy AssessmentAssessment ConsultationConsultation Preventive programsPreventive programs NeuropsychologyNeuropsychology

Possible Career Paths to Possible Career Paths to Become a TherapistBecome a Therapist

PsychologyPsychology Masters or PhD in Clinical PsychologyMasters or PhD in Clinical Psychology PsyDPsyD

EducationEducation Masters or PhD Counseling PsychologyMasters or PhD Counseling Psychology Education Specialist or EdD or PhD in School Education Specialist or EdD or PhD in School

PsychologyPsychology Social WorkSocial Work

Masters of Social WorkMasters of Social Work Rehabilitation CounselingRehabilitation Counseling

Masters in Rehabilitation CounselingMasters in Rehabilitation Counseling MedicineMedicine

MD–PsychiatryMD–Psychiatry MD–Behavioral PediatricsMD–Behavioral Pediatrics RN–Psychiatric NursingRN–Psychiatric Nursing

Back to the Ph.D. in Back to the Ph.D. in Clinical PsychologyClinical Psychology

Very competitiveVery competitive Ph.D. versus Psy.D.Ph.D. versus Psy.D.

Make sure to seek an APA Make sure to seek an APA accredited programaccredited program

Research experience counts a lot Research experience counts a lot (especially for more research-(especially for more research-oriented programs)oriented programs)

Apply widely (at least 15 programs)Apply widely (at least 15 programs)

Average Acceptance Rates for Average Acceptance Rates for APA-Accredited Clinical APA-Accredited Clinical Psychology ProgramsPsychology Programs

FreestandingFreestanding University-University- Practice-Practice- Equal Equal Research-Research- PsyDPsyD based PsyDbased PsyD orientedoriented emphasis emphasis orientedoriented PhDPhD PhD PhD PhDPhD

50%50% 41%41% 10%10% 10% 10% 6%6%

Source: Mayne, Norcross, and Sayette (2006; p. 41).Source: Mayne, Norcross, and Sayette (2006; p. 41).

Where to get more Where to get more informationinformation

HandoutHandout

Good luck!!Good luck!!