An Exploratory Look at Students' Experiences of Problematic Peers in Academic Professional Psychology Programs.

This exploratory survey investigated the issue of problematic students/trainees from the perspective of master's and doctoral students in clinical and counseling psychology programs. Findings suggest that students (a) were aware of problematic trainees in their programs; (b) believed faculty were primarily responsible for handling problematic peers, though students were unclear about procedures for handling this issue; (c) expressed greatest concerns about issues involving peers' interpersonal functioning; and (d) responded by gossiping or consulting with other peers, withdrawing, and, less often, confronting a problem peer. Problematic peers impacted respondents' own functioning, relationships with peers, and perceptions of faculty, and they disrupted the learning environment. Study implications and limitations are noted. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

An Exploratory Examination of Student Dismissals and Prompted Resignations From Clinical Psychology PhD Training Programs: Does Clinical Competency Matter?

How do clinical psychology PhD training programs decide whether a student should be dismissed? Are these decisions related to the student's clinical competency or suitability? Accredited, scientist-practitioner clinical psychology PhD training programs were surveyed about their experiences with dismissal decisions and clinical competency evaluations. Average rates of student dismissal and prompted resignations were low (less than 3% and 6%, respectively) but highly variable across programs. The most common basis for dismissals and resignations pertained to clinical competency concerns and academic standards. However, for 29% of programs, documented dismissal criteria did not include expectations for achievement of a prescribed level of clinical skills proficiency. Implications and suggested courses of action are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The Implications of 'Psychological Injuries' for Clinical Psychology Training Programs.

This paper uses the psychological and legal concept of "psychological injury" as an illustration of the evolving market for psychological knowledge and of necessary changes in the graduate and internship training of clinical psychologists. Our current graduate and internship training fails many of our students through neglecting important areas of knowledge and experience. In this paper, I discuss the importance of exposing graduate students to: a) the economics of mental health; b) professional roles involving knowledge dissemination outside traditional academia; c) information needs of direct and indirect consumers of psychological knowledge; and, d) communication skills necessary when interacting with nonpsychologists. Suggestions are made for the improvement of our graduate training programs, including more explicit acknowledgement of the likely career paths of most of our graduates. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

"Productivity Ratings of Psychology Programs Based on Publications in Clinical Journals": Correction.

Reports an error in the original article "Productivity Ratings of Psychology Programs Based on Publications in Clinical Journals" by Charles J. Golden, Sally Kuperman, and David Osmon (Professional Psychology, 1980, Vol. 11, No. 5, pp. 797-806). In Table 10 on page 804, Larue D. Carter Hospital, Indianapolis, Indiana, is incorrectly listed as a general hospital. It is a state mental hospital. (The following abstract of this article originally appeared in record 1981-28771-001.) Sought to identify the relative standing of clinical psychology programs by evaluating their frequency of publication in the major clinical journals. In addition, the relative contribution of university programs, hospital programs, medical centers, and other institutions to the clinical literature was investigated. It was found that although American Psychological Association (APA)-approved university clinical programs are responsible for the largest number of articles in the sample examined, (14 journals for the years 1975, 1976, and 1977), 6 of every 10 articles were published either by non-APA-approved academic programs or by individuals in other institutional settings. The general reputation of universities did not reflect their productivity in the clinical journals. The article includes an analysis of the major sources of publication in the clinical literature and an evaluation of the meaning of these findings for clinical psychology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Personality Evaluation in the Selection of Graduate Students in Clinical Psychology.

Examined the opinions of clinical psychologists regarding the selection of graduate clinical students to include some type of formal personality evaluation, in addition to the usual academic considerations. In view of the strong feelings often expressed on both sides of this question, it was felt that a questionnaire sampling the opinions of clinical psychologists regarding it would be of professional interest and possibly of some assistance to graduate departments attempting to cope with the problem.. Brief questionnaires were sent to a randomly selected sample of 100 members of Division 12 (Clinical) of the APA. In reply to the question: "Should a formal personality evaluation be used as a criterion for selecting applicants for graduate study in clinical psychology?" 84% of those responding checked "Yes," and 16% checked "No." In assessing how extensive such an evaluation should be, the following alternatives or combinations of them were provided: thorough personality analysis, screening for obvious handicapping problems, and screening for possession of professionally "desirable" characteristics. 20% selected the first alternative, 27% chose the second, 11% checked the third, 27% combined the second and third, 2% marked the first and third, 4% indicated all three, and 9% did not reply to this question. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

APA-Approved Doctoral Programs in Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychology: 1976.

The American Psychological Association Committee on Accreditation has approved the doctoral training programs in clinical, counseling, and school psychology that are conducted by the institutions listed below. In the institutions listed, the approved programs are directed by the department of psychology unless otherwise indicated. Programs that have not requested evaluation, and programs that have been evaluated but not approved, are not included in the list. Inclusion of an institution in this list indicates approval of doctoral programs in clinical, counseling, and school psychology only. Inclusion or noninclusion carries no implications for other graduate programs in psychology or for programs of graduate education in other disciplines. The institutions listed below have been reported to the U.S. Public Health Service, to the Veterans Administration, and to the Surgeon General's Office, Department of the Army, as conducting at the present time approved programs of doctoral training in the areas indicated. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Problematic Students: Gatekeeping Practices of Academic Professional Psychology Programs.

When the topic of problematic students arises, there are often more questions than answers. Professional psychology programs may serve as gatekeepers for the profession, yet there is little guidance on intervening with problematic students. This study surveyed training directors (TDs) of American Psychological Association-accredited academic psychology programs regarding problematic student behaviors. Over half of the programs that responded had terminated at least 1 student during a 3-year period, with TDs citing inadequate clinical skills as the major reason. Despite accreditation policies, 54% of the programs did not have written guidelines for intervening with problematic students. Recommendations to promote consistent evaluation and intervention at the faculty, student, program, and national-policy level are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Graduate training in clinical psychology: Student perspectives on selecting a program.

Although graduate programs in clinical psychology spend considerable energy and resources selecting students, there is limited information regarding the factors students consider important when they choose a training program. A review of recent literature found one study that looked at how first-year graduate students rated the importance of a number of factors in their decision-making process when selecting a clinical psychology training program (Walfish, Stenmark, Shealy, & Shealy, 1989). The current study extends this research by comparing reports from first-year graduate students enrolled in traditional “Boulder model” programs with those enrolled in professional “Vail model” programs. As part of a larger survey project, students answered questions about factors they considered important when they made decisions about applying to and selecting a graduate program to attend. Responses from students enrolled in traditional programs were compared with students attending professional programs. These differences are discussed, as well as their implications for program directors engaged in student recruitment and selection. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

APA-Approved Internships for Doctoral Training in Clinical and Counseling Psychology: 1976.

The American Psychological Association Committee on Accreditation has approved for doctoral training in professional psychology the internships offered by the agencies listed below. The criteria for evaluating these programs can be obtained from the Educational Affairs Office. The current criteria for accreditation of internship training programs no longer make the distinction between clinical and counseling internship programs; therefore, the separate listing of approved programs by professional specialty has been dropped. Readers desiring information on training goals offered at specific agencies are encouraged to write directly to the agencies. Each of the agencies listed has met the same qualitative standards with respect to adequacy of training. The list is alphabetical by agencies. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

On "Treatment" in Student Training: Comment.

Comments on Leonard Small's article, "Toward Professional Clinical Psychology" (see record 1964-03434-001). This article has to do with students training to be psychologists and how unless they have been "treated", they cannot do effective therapy. The commentator discusses this issue and suggests that the research-based certainty of the value of psychotherapy is at too low a level of confidence to recommend treatment as a requisite of student training. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Supplement to Listing of Accredited Doctoral, Internship, and Postdoctoral Training Programs in Professional Psychology.

Presents a supplement to the listing of accredited doctoral, internship, and postdoctoral training programs in professional psychology. These changes update the listing in the December 2003 issue of the American Psychologist and reflects all committee decisions through April 4, 2004. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Student Perspectives on Clinical and Counseling Psychology Practica.

Clinical practica are essential to the training and socialization of future clinical and counseling psychologists. When training expectations are not met, however, students may not be candid about these gaps, instead opting to grin and bear it. A sample of 321 doctoral psychology students responded to a survey that qualitatively and quantitatively assessed their expectations and actual training experiences at practicum. Results indicated that although many students received what they expected, a large minority did not, in areas ranging from work responsibilities to primary supervision. Implications for students, practicum, graduate programs, and the profession are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

"Clinical psychology training in Canada: Its development, current status, and the prospects for accreditation": Response to Conway.

Comments on J. B. Conway's (see record 1985-10567-001) history of clinical psychology in Canada. The discussion focuses on the sources of support for and opposition to the establishment of applied psychology programs. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Seventeen years later: Clinical psychology in light of the 1947 Committee on Training in Clinical Psychology Report.

"Clinical psychology is both a basic and an applied area. Because of the undeveloped state of both psychology and clinical psychology, research is by far the most important responsibility of the clinical psychologist. The university has primary responsibility for integrating training in both the basic and the applied areas. The private practice of clinical psychology is of minor importance. It should be restricted." Clinical psychology "is important both because of the contribution it has made and is making to basic psychology, and because of the potential social significance of its practical contribution." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Determining the Optimal Number of Psychologists and Psychology Training Programs: A Cautionary Note.

Marwit (1982, see record 1982-28952-001) argues persuasively for the benefits of university affiliation for schools of professional psychology. However, as part of his discussion, he draws on questionable data in citing the need for additional training programs of this kind. His argument depends on the juxtaposition of epidemiological data, which summarize the prevalence of psychological disorder, and service-availability data. Because there are insufficient practitioners to serve the psychologically disturbed population, Marwit concludes that more practitioners are needed. Marwit's analysis fails to attend to several important considerations. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Supplement to Listing of Accredited Doctoral, Internship, and Postdoctoral Training Programs in Professional Psychology.

Announces changes in the listing of accredited doctoral (clinical, counseling, school, and combined professional-scientific), internship, and postdoctoral programs in professional psychology. Complete listings are available on request from the American Psychological Association Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Supplement to listing of APA-Accredited Doctoral and Predoctoral Internship Training Programs in Psychology.

Presents an update to the listing published in the December 1987 American Psychologist of APA-accredited doctoral programs in professional (clinical, counseling, school) psychology and predoctoral internship programs in professional psychology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Training Psychology Interns in Primary Behavioral Health Care.

This article describes a training program for primary behavioral health care (PBHC) for clinical psychology interns. The authors discuss the rationale for integrating mental health into primary care and the need for additional training programs at the predoctoral internship level. A review of relevant literature suggests that effective functioning in primary care requires competence in (a) generalist psychology, (b) health psychology, (c) interdisciplinary team functioning, and (d) skills specific to primary care. The authors advocate for a relatively intensive training program to address these areas. Common intern training difficulties observed during 3 years of program implementation are discussed. Practical, lessons-learned recommendations that address these problem areas provide guidance for others seeking to develop a PBHC training program. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Insider's Guide to Graduate Programs in Clinical and Counseling Psychology 2004/2005 Edition.

This article reviews the "Insider's Guide to Graduate Programs in Clinical and Counseling Psychology 2004/2005 Edition." The purpose of this book is to help students prepare for admission into clinical or counseling psychology graduate programs and to assist with the corresponding application process. Including several web resources, updated profiles and contact information for North American programs, data outlining admissions criteria, and sample letters, CVs and a personal statement, this book is designed to help both current and future applicants prepare for and apply strategically to graduate school. Well written and using straightforward language and information presented in text, table, and list formats, the authors draw on research data and personal anecdotes to outline the application process and its various considerations. The book covers all steps of the process from the initial decision to pursue graduate work in clinical or counseling psychology to the final decision one makes upon offers of admission. Moreover, one of its greatest features is a timeline for preparing for graduate work in these fields. The timeline breaks the application process into manageable steps and could, for many readers, decrease the stresses that arise from preparing for and applying to graduate school. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)