Future Trends Using Professional Interviews Response Content

¶ … Future Trends Using Professional Interviews Response Content

The research in this study reports interviews with several clinical psychologists about their current practice and practice methods as well as about their opinions about the future of the practice of clinical psychology.

Similarities and Differences of Professionals Interviewed in Their Approach and Treatment Settings

One psychologist interviewed stated that she uses puppets to assist children in working out their problem and in stimulating the child's mind about the different paths that they may take. The psychologist explained that she uses a turtle puppet to practice behaviors that are brave such as coping and explains that the child tends to use their imagination much more so than do adults do. She offers the advice that it is important for the clinical psychologist to understand what is and what is not within their realm of possibilities to avoid becoming frustrated about their endeavors. In another interview, the psychologist reported that using stories about other imaginary children with the same problems has been a great way to assist children in understanding how they can work through their own problems.

II. Trends and Prospects Shared by Professionals about Future of Clinical Psychology

There are several stated challenges concerning the trends and prospects about clinical psychology for both now and in the future. Included in those challenges is the need for more research "to facilitate a deeper understanding of the fundamental processes of psychological development (normal and abnormal; prenatal to senescence) as an essential precursor to the field's development of more comprehensive models of behavior." (Roberts and Hardi, nd, p.5) This is because with such an understanding being enhanced the result will likely be "improved preventive and therapeutic interventions on the part of psychologists and other healthcare professionals." (Roberts and Hardi, nd, p.5) Secondly there is stated to be a need for "greater emphasis upon examination of the mediators and moderators of psychological change (including therapeutic change) as a means of advancing the field beyond overly simplistic understandings toward increasingly sophisticated models which reflect more adequately the full complexity of human functioning." (Roberts and Hardi, nd, p.5) Additionally there is a need for development of "clinical research devices and methods of greater reliability and validity" with corresponding refinement of "existing diagnostic scheme and taxonomies of psychological disorder on the basis of scientific investigation. (Roberts and Hardi, nd, paraphrased) Research should focus on the identification of "valid and invalid psychotherapies, psychological interventions, and prevention efforts." (Roberts and Hardi, nd, p.5)

Also noted as necessary is the taking of a "measurement of the range of outcomes following psychotherapies and preventive interventions" which can assist in establishing the cost and benefits associated with each of these. It is stated that the "effects of psychological practice (and research) on society in general stand in great need of more rigorous investigation." (Roberts and Hardi, nd, p.6) Stated as well is a challenge relating to the "evaluation of the organization and delivery of a variety of clinical services through program evaluation. There is an ongoing need within the ?eld for evaluative frameworks, methodologies, and instruments that may be applied across the wide variety of settings (e.g., inpatient/outpatient units; clinics and hospitals; private practice) and problems faced by clinical psychology (e.g., different sets of psychologically related symptoms and diagnoses)." (Roberts and Hardi, nd, p.7)

A challenge noted by the Clinical Treatment and Services Research Workgroup (1998) of the National Institute of Mental Health, is stated to be "…re-ected in the fact that improvement in research and clinical practice requires an iterative investigational process across a continuum of treatment research emphases: efficacy, effectiveness." (Roberts and Hardi, nd, p.7) Translating research to applied clinical settings is needed with the objective of practice improvement according to the principle that "research itself be informed by psychology practice." (Roberts and Hardi, nd p. 7) Roberts and Hardy note that identification of the mechanisms that are appropriate to use in achieving the tasks of translating and informing "poses an ongoing challenge for clinical researcher." (Roberts and Hardi, nd, p.7)

III. Compare and Contrast Ideas Shared by Interviewed Professionals about Current & Future Trends in Field of Clinical Psychology

The ideas shared by the professionals interviewed about current and future trends in the field of clinical psychology are reflective of that stated in the work of Roberts and Hardy and specifically that there is a need for research to inform practice and likewise for practice to inform research as these two go hand-in-hand in increasing knowledge that can be applied in practice. It was noted by the majority of those interviewed that questions surrounding reimbursement by Medicare/Medicaid loomed largely and that issues relating to the potential for being involved in a lawsuit were of great concern. There was related by these professionals a need for legislation that addresses more protection for practitioners, which would enable these professionals to do a much better job in the absence of the fear of being frivolously sued.