Contemporary Clinical Psychology

Thomas G. Plante

• Publisher: Wiley
• Year: 2020
• ISBN:
  9781119706274
• Edition: 4
• Topic: Psychology
• Subtopic: Clinical Psychology
• Index: Psychology

Enjoy a comprehensive and insightful perspective on advanced and foundational topics in clinical psychology with this newly updated resource

The newly revised 4th Edition of Contemporary Clinical Psychology delivers a comprehensive and engaging view of the science and practice of clinical psychology. From a variety of different perspectives and in numerous settings, the book presents a realistic survey of the field of clinical psychology, including its history, employment opportunities, significant theoretical underpinnings, practice instructions, and guidelines for how to conduct and interpret research in this rapidly evolving area.

Widely recognized author Thomas Plante includes information for specific topics, like the major theoretical models of clinical psychology, as well as general knowledge in this new edition that includes supplemental content like videos and interactive material that will increase student engagement and retention of the subject matter.

Alongside chapters on topics including how to conduct contemporary psychological assessments, how to implement psychotherapeutic interventions, and descriptions of consultative, teaching, and administrative roles, Contemporary Clinical Psychology, 4th Edition features:

• A fully integrative, practical, biopsychosocial approach to upper-level clinical psychology subject matter
• Brand new and updated student and instructor resources directly integrated into the e-text
• Supplemental resources like video clips, interactive links, test banks, PowerPoint slides, and an Instructor's Manual
• Coverage of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5, the most recent testing instruments, and the latest research in evidence-based treatment practices
• How to conduct research in an era of open access and other changes in research publication

Perfect for graduate and advanced undergraduate students in introduction to clinical psychology courses in both university psychology and counseling departments, Contemporary Clinical Psychology, 4th Edition also belongs on the bookshelves of students in free-standing schools of psychology offering PsyD and MA degrees.

PART One
FOUNDATIONS AND FUNDAMENTALS

Chapter 1 What Is Contemporary Clinical Psychology?

Chapter 2 Foundations and Early History of Clinical Psychology

Chapter 3 Recent History of Clinical Psychology

Chapter 4 Research: Design and Outcome

Chapter 5 The Major Theoretical Models: Psychodynamic, Cognitive Behavioral, Humanistic, and Family Systems

Chapter 6 Integrative and Biopsychosocial Approaches in Contemporary Clinical Psychology

Photo: Courtesy Zach Plante.

Chapter 1
What Is Contemporary Clinical Psychology?

Let’s take a close look at what contemporary clinical psychology is all about

Source: ESB Basic/Shutterstock

Chapter Objectives

1. To define clinical psychology.
2. To provide a brief history of the field and put it in context relative to similar fields and professions.
3. To understand the various activities, roles, and employment settings of clinical psychologists.

Chapter Outline

• Definition and Inherent Intrigue
• Perspective and Philosophy
• Education and Training
• Activities
• Highlight of a Contemporary Clinical Psychologist: Patrick H. DeLeon, PhD, ABPP
• Employment Settings
• Subspecialties
• Organizations
• How Does Clinical Psychology Differ From Related Fields?

---

Case Study: Carlos

Carlos has a variety of challenges that should be addressed from a biopsychosocial perspective

Source: Diego Cervo/Shutterstock.com

Carlos experiences depression, substance abuse, attentional problems, learning disabilities, diabetes, and family stress. He is a biracial (part Latino and part Caucasian) 14-year-old boy who feels isolated, depressed, and hopeless. He has few friends, his schoolwork is poor, and he feels uncomfortable in his predominantly Caucasian high school. He is new at school, having recently moved to a new town from out of state. He complains that he doesn't fit in and misses his old middle school, which had predominantly Latino and African American students. He was evaluated by a psychologist at school when he was 9 years old and was found to experience an attentional problem as well as a learning disability that makes reading difficult. He has taken medication in the past for his attentional problem and he also takes insulin for his diabetes.

Carlos' mother is Latina and works as a social worker at a local hospital. She was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. His father is Caucasian of German descent and works as a clerk at a large computer company. His mother is Roman Catholic and very active in her church, whereas his father was raised Lutheran but describes himself as an atheist. His father has had an alcohol problem for many years and has suffered from depression as well. He has been fired from several jobs due to his alcohol troubles and temper. He also had attentional and learning difficulties in school but coped fairly well with these problems and graduated from community college with good grades.

Carlos' parents have had a great deal of marital conflict and have separated on several occasions. Their differences in faith, ethnic background, financial concerns, and his father's alcohol abuse, depression, and temper have taken a toll on the family. Carlos' younger sister is a “star” student, has lots of friends, and seems to cope very well with the stress in the family. Carlos feels that his sister makes him “look bad.”

Carlos' mother felt that Carlos should see a clinical psychologist about his depressive mood. Her managed care health insurance will allow Carlos and his family up to six sessions with a local clinical psychologist who is on the company's list of preferred providers. Carlos is willing to get help but feels that there is little anyone can do for him. He also worries about confidentiality because he does not want his parents to know that he has been sexually active and has used alcohol and drugs on occasion. He would like to see a Latino psychologist, but the managed care company does not have one on its local panel of providers.

If you were the clinical psychologist Carlos and his family came to, how would you help them during the allotted six sessions? How would you further evaluate Carlos and his family? What would you suggest they do to help themselves and each other? How would you manage confidentiality arrangements? What research is available to guide you in your work? How much can you accomplish in six sessions? What do you do if after six sessions Carlos and his family still need your help? How do you evaluate if your work has been helpful? What do you do if Carlos becomes in danger of hurting himself?

---

As you can tell from this example, clinical psychology is a complex field that parallels the complexity of human behavior and emotion. Just as we are defined by more than blood and tissue, emotions and ideas, or our relationships to others, the field of clinical psychology is, by necessity, an integrative effort to understand the interaction of the biological, psychological, and social factors that make each of us tick. Furthermore, modern clinical psychology must respond to contemporary issues that impact all of our lives. For example, the importance of ethnicity, culture, and gender in today's society informs and enriches the field of contemporary clinical psychology as do current issues related to economics, technology, ethics, and popular culture.

As with medicine and other fields, the roots of clinical psychology are viewed as simplistic and narrowly conceived. However, with scientific advancements and collaboration between various fields and schools of thought, contemporary clinical psychology champions a sophisticated integration that pulls together the best of these models for optimal treatment, assessment, consultation, and research.

Before describing the historical evolution of clinical psychology into its contemporary form, this chapter defines clinical psychology and the varied roles and activities of today's clinical psychologist. In addition, the integrative and evidence-based nature of contemporary clinical psychology will be highlighted. The purpose of this chapter is to examine exactly what clinical psychology is all about. I will define clinical psychology as well as outline the educational process for clinical psychologists, detail their typical roles and professional activities, list the usual employment settings, the various subspecialties within clinical psychology, the professional organizations of clinical psychology, and the similarities and differences between clinical psychology and related fields. Subsequent chapters will highlight these issues (and others) in much more detail. In doing so, a comprehensive and realistic view of the field of clinical psychology will be presented.

Throughout the course of this book, I discuss the field of clinical psychology as understood and practiced in the United States. However, clinical psychology is recognized and practiced in many other countries. The American Psychological Association (APA), the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA), and the British Psychological Society (BPS), for example, have more similarities than differences and often host joint meetings and other professional activities. The doctorate is the expected level of training for psychologists in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Much of the world does not require doctoral training for clinical psychologists. Unfortunately, it is beyond the scope of this book to detail the training, history, and activities of clinical psychologists across the globe.

Definition and Inherent Intrigue

What could be more intriguing than human behavior and interpersonal relationships in all their complexity? A visit to any major bookstore or a Google search of psychology reveals that topics such as clinical psychology, self-help, and the general use of psychological principles in understanding our lives are enormously popular and pervasive. Hundreds if not thousands of books are published each year that focus on ways to better understand human behavior, replete with methods to improve psychological functioning as it interacts with physical well-being, emotions, and interpersonal relationships.

Although the independent discipline of psychology is only about 130 years old, psychology is one of the most popular current undergraduate majors in most colleges and universities. Furthermore, clinical psychology is the most popular specialty area within psychology (American Psychological Association [APA], 2020, 2020b; Sayette & Norcross, 2020). Doctorates in psychology are more common than any other doctoral degree awarded in the United States with the majority of psychology doctorates being awarded in clinical psychology (American Psychological Association, 2020).The majority of members of the APA list clinical psychology as their area of specialization (American Psychological Association, 2020). How is clinical psychology defined? Clinical...