Doctor of Psychology
Encyclopedia
The Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) degree is a professional doctorate earned through one of two established training models for clinical psychology
. An individual who earns a doctorate in clinical psychology, educational psychology or counseling psychology
from an accredited program may become licensed to diagnose and treat mental disorders, conduct psychological testing
and complete psychological evaluations, and provide psychotherapy
.
The degree is usually abbreviated as Psy.D. in the United States and Canadaand also D.Psy. or D.Ps. in Canada. In the United Kingdom and Ireland it is often abbreviated as DClinPsych
or ClinPsyD. In Australia it is often abbreviated as DPsych or DPsych (Clinical).
In Denmark
the corresponding degree is called "specialpsykolog" (Special Psychologist), in the Netherlands the corresponding degree is "gezondheidszorgpsycholoog" (Healthcare Psychologist).
In Spain, the postgraduate training in Clinical Psychology is carried out as 4 years intern residence within the National Health System and the title obtained is "Especialista en Psicología Clínica [Specialist in Clinical Psychology]", usually abbreviated "EPS".
is based on an understanding of scientific method
and behavioral science. The focus of the Doctor of Psychology training model is on the application of this knowledge to direct clinical intervention. This includes the diagnosis and treatment of various mental illnesses and other cognitive and emotional impairments in which psychological approaches can be of use. Most Psy.D. programs take four to seven years to complete, and require training in assessment, diagnosis, and psychotherapy, in addition to research methods, theoretical training, neuroscience, and other specialized training in behavioral and social sciences. Students in Doctor of Psychology programs must participate in supervised practicum placements in various clinical settings during their training, followed by a supervised clinical internship. Completion of the Psy.D. usually requires the submission of a doctoral dissertation.
In addition to earning a doctorate, the practice of Clinical Psychology in every state requires two years of supervised internship before taking national and state licensing exams. All states but one (Washington) require that one of these years be completed after earning the doctorate. Washington has removed the one year post doctoral experience in place of requiring two years of supervised experience, both of which can be completed prior to graduation. (The argument for this change has been that there are few positions available for recent graduates and providing the training before graduation facilitates early career psychologists. In February 2006 the American Psychological Association Council of Representatives adopted a statement recommending that this change also be made to the licensing requirements of other states.)
In addition to regional accreditation
, many doctoral programs in clinical psychology are given professional accreditation by the American Psychological Association (APA).
and the associated Psy.D. degree were recognized by the American Psychological Association
at the Conference on Levels and Patterns of Professional Training in Psychology (The Vail Conference). The Practitioner-Scholar model followed the earlier scientist-practitioner model of doctoral training in psychology, which was created at the Boulder Conference on Graduate Education in Clinical Psychology in 1949. The Vail Model or practitioner-scholar model emphasizes clinical practice in training, while the Boulder Model emphasises research and scientific practice. Graduates of both training models are eligible for licensure
in all states (licensing exams and renewal requirements are the same for both degrees).
In addition to this there are complaints that the many professional schools of psychology lack the connections to a large educational community found in a university environment. While there are an increasing number of university-based PsyD programs, many Psy.D. programs are at newer professional schools of psychology, and some of these are part of larger for-profit corporations.
Clinical psychology
Clinical psychology is an integration of science, theory and clinical knowledge for the purpose of understanding, preventing, and relieving psychologically-based distress or dysfunction and to promote subjective well-being and personal development...
. An individual who earns a doctorate in clinical psychology, educational psychology or counseling psychology
Counseling psychology
Counseling psychology is a psychological specialty that encompasses research and applied work in several broad domains: counseling process and outcome; supervision and training; career development and counseling; and prevention and health...
from an accredited program may become licensed to diagnose and treat mental disorders, conduct psychological testing
Psychological testing
Psychological testing is a field characterized by the use of samples of behavior in order to assess psychological construct, such as cognitive and emotional functioning, about a given individual. The technical term for the science behind psychological testing is psychometrics...
and complete psychological evaluations, and provide psychotherapy
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a general term referring to any form of therapeutic interaction or treatment contracted between a trained professional and a client or patient; family, couple or group...
.
The degree is usually abbreviated as Psy.D. in the United States and Canadaand also D.Psy. or D.Ps. in Canada. In the United Kingdom and Ireland it is often abbreviated as DClinPsych
Doctor of Clinical Psychology
The degree of Doctor of Clinical Psychology is a professional doctorate in clinical psychology, awarded mainly in the United Kingdom. The degree has both clinical and research components, and qualifies the holder to practice as a clinical psychologist in Britain's National Health Service and other...
or ClinPsyD. In Australia it is often abbreviated as DPsych or DPsych (Clinical).
In Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
the corresponding degree is called "specialpsykolog" (Special Psychologist), in the Netherlands the corresponding degree is "gezondheidszorgpsycholoog" (Healthcare Psychologist).
In Spain, the postgraduate training in Clinical Psychology is carried out as 4 years intern residence within the National Health System and the title obtained is "Especialista en Psicología Clínica [Specialist in Clinical Psychology]", usually abbreviated "EPS".
Training
The practice of clinical psychologyClinical psychology
Clinical psychology is an integration of science, theory and clinical knowledge for the purpose of understanding, preventing, and relieving psychologically-based distress or dysfunction and to promote subjective well-being and personal development...
is based on an understanding of scientific method
Scientific method
Scientific method refers to a body of techniques for investigating phenomena, acquiring new knowledge, or correcting and integrating previous knowledge. To be termed scientific, a method of inquiry must be based on gathering empirical and measurable evidence subject to specific principles of...
and behavioral science. The focus of the Doctor of Psychology training model is on the application of this knowledge to direct clinical intervention. This includes the diagnosis and treatment of various mental illnesses and other cognitive and emotional impairments in which psychological approaches can be of use. Most Psy.D. programs take four to seven years to complete, and require training in assessment, diagnosis, and psychotherapy, in addition to research methods, theoretical training, neuroscience, and other specialized training in behavioral and social sciences. Students in Doctor of Psychology programs must participate in supervised practicum placements in various clinical settings during their training, followed by a supervised clinical internship. Completion of the Psy.D. usually requires the submission of a doctoral dissertation.
In addition to earning a doctorate, the practice of Clinical Psychology in every state requires two years of supervised internship before taking national and state licensing exams. All states but one (Washington) require that one of these years be completed after earning the doctorate. Washington has removed the one year post doctoral experience in place of requiring two years of supervised experience, both of which can be completed prior to graduation. (The argument for this change has been that there are few positions available for recent graduates and providing the training before graduation facilitates early career psychologists. In February 2006 the American Psychological Association Council of Representatives adopted a statement recommending that this change also be made to the licensing requirements of other states.)
In addition to regional accreditation
Regional accreditation
Regional accreditation is a term used in the United States to refer to educational accreditation conducted by any of several accreditation bodies established to serve six defined geographic areas of the country for accreditation of schools, colleges, and universities...
, many doctoral programs in clinical psychology are given professional accreditation by the American Psychological Association (APA).
Background
In 1973 the practitioner-scholar modelPractitioner-scholar model
The practitioner–scholar model, often called the Vail model, is a training model for graduate programs that is focused on clinical practice. It was developed primarily to train clinical psychologists but may be adapted by other specialty programs...
and the associated Psy.D. degree were recognized by the American Psychological Association
American Psychological Association
The American Psychological Association is the largest scientific and professional organization of psychologists in the United States. It is the world's largest association of psychologists with around 154,000 members including scientists, educators, clinicians, consultants and students. The APA...
at the Conference on Levels and Patterns of Professional Training in Psychology (The Vail Conference). The Practitioner-Scholar model followed the earlier scientist-practitioner model of doctoral training in psychology, which was created at the Boulder Conference on Graduate Education in Clinical Psychology in 1949. The Vail Model or practitioner-scholar model emphasizes clinical practice in training, while the Boulder Model emphasises research and scientific practice. Graduates of both training models are eligible for licensure
Licensure
Licensure refers to the granting of a license, which gives a "permission to practice." Such licenses are usually issued in order to regulate some activity that is deemed to be dangerous or a threat to the person or the public or which involves a high level of specialized skill...
in all states (licensing exams and renewal requirements are the same for both degrees).
Controversy
Some programs offering the Psy.D. have been criticized for admitting too many students. Large class sizes are asserted to lower the quality of the training experience. The lower pass rates of PsyD students on the national licensing exam, the Examination for Professional Practice of Psychology (EPPP) has been noted as a problem for this model of doctoral education. Also, Psy.D. programs typically are tuition based, requiring some students to take on very large educational loans.In addition to this there are complaints that the many professional schools of psychology lack the connections to a large educational community found in a university environment. While there are an increasing number of university-based PsyD programs, many Psy.D. programs are at newer professional schools of psychology, and some of these are part of larger for-profit corporations.
See also
- Training and licensing of clinical psychologistsTraining and licensing of clinical psychologistsThe training and licensing of clinical psychologists ranges from 4 year undergraduate degree plus a 4 to 6 year doctorate program. Most programs in the U.S. are PhD programs that have a strong focus on research and are typically housed in universities...
- Practitioner–scholar model
- Scientist–practitioner model
- American Psychological AssociationAmerican Psychological AssociationThe American Psychological Association is the largest scientific and professional organization of psychologists in the United States. It is the world's largest association of psychologists with around 154,000 members including scientists, educators, clinicians, consultants and students. The APA...
- National Register of Health Service Providers in PsychologyNational Register of Health Service Providers in PsychologyThe National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology is the largest credentialing organization for psychologists in the United States. Founded in 1974, the National Register was created to identify qualified Health Service Providers...
- Doctor of Clinical PsychologyDoctor of Clinical PsychologyThe degree of Doctor of Clinical Psychology is a professional doctorate in clinical psychology, awarded mainly in the United Kingdom. The degree has both clinical and research components, and qualifies the holder to practice as a clinical psychologist in Britain's National Health Service and other...
(U.K. / Australia equivalent)