CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY: CURRENT STATUS AND FUTURE PROSPECTS


A. Belloch (*) and B. Olabarria (**)
(*) Faculty of Psychology,
University of Valencia
(**) National Executive Board,
Colegio Oficial de Psicólogos
back
C ONTENTS
1.INTRODUCTION
2. CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY PROGRAMS IN STATE AGENCIES
2.1 Support for Primary Health Care Programs
2.2 Out-Patient Programs
2.3 Reinsertion programs for chronic patients: Rehabilitation Units.
2.4 Programs developed in general hospitals
2.5 Professional practice in the private sector
3. CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY IN THE UNIVERSITY
3.1. The clinical contents in the undergraduate level
3.2. About post-graduate Training.
4. ABOUT RESEARCH IN CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY.
4.1. Research in the University.
4.2. Research in the Public Service Networks.
5. CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY POST-GRADUATE TRAINING
5.1. Specialty Training in the University
5.2. Specialty Training through Internship (PIR System)
6. FUTURE PROSPECTS AND SOME PENDING ASPECTS
REFERENCES
ABSTRACT

Clinical Psychology here has a short history of barely 20 years. Qualifications in Clinical Psychology at University degree level were introduced over 12 years ago. But it is significant that its birth coincides with the beginning of Spainīs transformation into a democratic State. In this article, we review the main legislative developments that have contributed to its present status as a Science and as a Profession, as well as its actual situation, both at the university training level and at that of specialization and professionalization. At the same time, we point out the main themes that are still unresolved, and the urgent need for the consolidation of Clinical Psychology as a discipline with its own, differentiated structure.

1. INTRODUCTION

During the last two decades, Spanish society has undergone a series of traumatic changes, disturbing, among other things, the very roots of the prevailing health culture as an essential component of improved well-being. There is a growing awareness of and interest in matters of individual and collective health. The consequences are a general move away from treatment oriented culture towards a more prevention based approach to mental health. These changes have also affected the aggregate of scientific and professional contributions to the range of actions that well trained clinical psychologists offer and to questions of quality and control over psychological services.

In this context, we must honestly admit that Clinical Psychology, as a scientific discipline and as a profession, has only just begun in our country. The last five years were crucial for its appearance. New legislative developments and new executive bodies to decide on further actions at the national level (General Health Law, for instance) or at the regional level (a decentralized health care system) have contributed decisively to this. The contributions made by the Colegio Oficial de Psicologos (C.O.P.) in the professional domain, and by new Faculties and Department of Psychology, in the academic domain, must not be forgotten.

We are aware that the process of change has only just begun, but it is - we trust - a path of no return, in spite of being fraught with contradictions, detours and disagreements, as is usual in all processes of transition. In any case, as Machado, the Spanish poet said, "traveller, there is no road: you make it as you go along".

The purpose of this article is to show the trajectory of Clinical Psychology in Spain during the last decade, the problems of which are not yet solved, and what developments we can expect in the near future. For this purpose, we shall comment on main achievements, as well as some of the important problems still pending solution. Finally, we shall offer our own view of Clinical Psychology's future in Spain.

                           JOSÉ RAMÓN CORREAS GONZALEZ
                      

 Please sent comments and suggestions to: 
psdife4@sis.ucm.es            
              LAST UPDATED Sunday 6 de August de 1995 - -