The Education and Training of Clinical Psychologists

Abstract

This paper argues that fundamental changes are required in the way we go about educating and training professional psychologists in general, and clinical psychologists in particular, if we are to solve their current identity, status, and role problems. The primary responsibility for change must devolve upon the universities with long experience of both research and education in the basic discipline, and graduate professional training. The most urgent task is to persuade the universities in question to introduce a national system of six-year courses, based strictly on the scientist-professional model, for all professional psychologists. A possible structure for such courses is presented, and the implications of its adoption are examined. In this context training in cognitive-behaviour therapy (CBT) and the education and training role of the Psychology Foundation of Australia are discussed.