Chapter 1 - A Science-Informed Model of Clinical Psychology Practice

Summary

Clinical psychology is at an exciting point in time. We describe the current state of clinical psychology, framing it in terms of a trajectory from the foundation of the scientist-practitioner model topresent developments. The chapter outlines how the how core competencies of clinical psychology practice are framed by the question, “How would a scientist-practitioner think and act?”We present a model of science-informed practice of clinical psychology and illustrate how this model allows individual practitioners to provide value for money in a competitive health care market indelibly shaped by the forces of accountability and cost containment. The model illustrates how the client is viewed through a lens of evidence-based literature and clinical experience, and how a clinical psychologist collaborates with a client in assessment, case formulation, treatment planning, process-informed treatment delivery, treatment measurement and monitoring, to permit evaluation and accountability. It concludes with a consideration of the perspectives of the key stakeholders, namely the client, the therapist and the broader society, and how these perspectives shape interest in the monitoring of effectiveness, efficacy and understanding of the mechanisms and processes responsible for mental health problems.