Presidential Column 2011
The Clinical Psychologist
January 2011
Danny Wedding, Ph.D.
It is a genuine honor to be given the opportunity to serve as the 2011 President of the Society of Clinical Psychology. Division 12 has always been my APA home, and I have belonged since shortly after I graduated from the clinical program at the University of Hawaii in 1979. My primary mentors were Leonard Ullmann and Tony Marsella, and both encouraged all clinical students to become actively involved with the Division and with the American Psychological Association.
Panic Survey
Clinicians’ Experiences in using an Empirically Support Treatment (EST) for Panic Disorder: Results of a Survey
American Psychological Association (APA) Division 12 Committee on Building a Two-Way Bridge Between Research and Practice
As part of its effort to build a two-way bridge between research and practice, the Society of Clinical Psychology recently surveyed therapists about the variables they found to limit the effectiveness of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) in clinical practice for treating panic disorder—the only current EST. The goal of this initiative was to close the gap between research and practice by providing clinicians with a voice in the research process. In essence, it could allow them to make use of their clinical experience–the context of discovery--to highlight researchable questions and hypotheses that could help improve the effectiveness of our interventions. In having a two-way, rather than a one-way bridge, it is also hoped that it will also encourage practitioners to make use of research findings to guide their clinical work. With growing demands for accountability, it is important for both researcher and therapist to have a collaborative voice in deciding which treatments work.
Why You Should Join Division 12
The mission of the Society of Clinical Psychology is to encourage and support the integration of psychological science and practice in education, research, application, advocacy and public policy, attending to the importance of diversity.
It is the division with the broadest base, welcoming those involved in the field from medical schools, academia, private research and seeing patients on a daily basis. Visit the links below to listen to the testimonials of prominent psychologists on why Division 12 has been important in their own careers.
DIVISION 12 RISING STAR PROGRAM
Early Career Opportunity – SUMMER 2011
The APA Society of Clinical Psychology (APA Division 12) offers an annual summer program to recognize and mentor an early career scientist-practitioner in clinical psychology. Each summer, Division 12 finances a post-doctoral summer research experience with a prominent clinical psychologist on a particular subject or theme.
We are pleased to announce that in 2011 an opportunity exists to engage in cutting-edge research on self-help at the University of Scranton. A total of 4K and campus lodging will be provided for use as the rising star deems appropriate. The research will build on the existing research program of Dr. John C. Norcross, Professor of Psychology and Distinguished University Fellow. His research seeks to identify evidence-based self-help resources (computer programs, books, autobiographies, movies, websites) for dozens of clinical disorders and life challenges. The position would entail two months of full-time work, during June, July and August of 2011.
Closing the Gap Between Research and Practice
As therapy researchers and practitioners, we are all painfully aware of the unfortunate gap that exists between research and practice. Researchers blame the clinician for not reading the literature, and therapists accuse the researcher for not studying questions that would be of most help to them. However, more than ever before, the need to close this gap has become particularly pressing—especially in light of the growing emphasis on the development of practice guidelines, quality assurance, pay for performance, and other third party demands for accountability. In light of this, the Society of Clinical Psychology is making a concerted effort to work toward building a two-way bridge between research and practice.
One way the Society is attempting to make this happen is by providing practicing clinicians with the opportunity to provide feedback on their use of empirically supported treatments in practice. This is not only an opportunity for clinicians to share their experiences with other therapists, but also can offer information that can encourage researchers to investigate ways of overcoming these limitations. This initiative is being spearheaded by a committee comprised of experienced, motivated and enthusiastic researchers and practitioners who similarly have had an ongoing dedication to closing the gap between practice and research. It includes Louis G. Castonguay (President of the Society for Psychotherapy Research); Marvin R. Goldfried (Past-President of the Society for Psychotherapy Research and President of Division 12); Jeffrey J. Magnavita (President of Division 29--Psychotherapy); Michelle G. Newman (psychotherapy researcher with expertise in anxiety disorders); Linda Sobell (Past-President of AABT and Division 12); and Abraham W. Wolf (Past-President of Division 29)
What Constitutes Evidence-Based Treatments?
The Society of Clinical Psychology is firmly committed to identifying and promulgating treatments that work. Indeed, the Society was among the first organizations in mental health to compile a list of empirically supported treatments on the basis of supportive results from randomized clinical trials (RCTs). As scientific knowledge and research designs mature, and as researcher-practitioner collaborations increase, we have reached a point where it is desirable and feasible to extend the research methods used and the constructs investigated. A multiplicity of sophisticated research strategies, including but not limited to RCTs, now allows us to improve the effectiveness of psychological treatments.
To advance this broad view, the Society of Clinical Psychology defines the mechanisms of psychotherapy as those factors, processes, and interventions that are designed to effect and maintain beneficial changes in client/patient functioning. These change mechanisms include treatment methods, participant characteristics, the quality of their interactions (relationships), the context and culture in which the interventions occur, and other contributors yet to be discovered. This inclusive and evidence-based definition is designed to ensure that:
- research on psychotherapy and the designation of empirically supported therapies consider treatment methods as well as the participants, their relationship, and contextual factors;
- a wide variety of research methods are used as appropriate to the questions asked; and
- research increases our understanding both of the cross-cutting/common and unique principles on which effective treatments rest and enhance the optimal use of participants, interactional, cultural, and technical factors in effecting change.
Society of Clinical Psychology Mentorship Program
Mentorship Program
Minimizing Patient-Clinician Violence
A new brochure has been developed to help clinicians reduce violence in the practice of psychology through the work of the Division 12 Section VII/APA Advisory Committee on Colleague Assistance and the APA Practice Directorate. From the brochure (pdf download):
Few challenges facing psychology practitioners are more distressing than the possibility of patient violence toward the clinician. According to national surveys, roughly 1/3 of practicing psychologists have concerns about possible patient violence; and, 15% - 25% are at risk of being assaulted by a patient at some point in their careers. Most instances of patient assault have not resulted in serious harm or injury; however, the emotional distress on the clinician can be substantial, and it is usually far more disturbing than any physical injury.
Education and training in the evaluation and management of potentially violent patients is often minimal. Because of the complexity of such patients and the high intensity of the context in which they can present, it is helpful to be prepared with knowledge and some plans for dealing with this situation.
Please download a copy today. The .pdf file is formatted for double-sided printing. You may download a copy for onscreen viewing, as well.
div12.org and Social Networking
We know we're behind the times. Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, LinkedIn. There are as many social networking sites as there are schools of psychotherapy. We have decided to join just 2 of them: Facebook and Twitter. There's not a whole lot going on at either of those 2 accounts at this time, but go ahead and add us/follow us anyway so you can get the latest updates on the site and the Society's happenings.
We'd also love to hear from you about how you'd like to make the site better and features you'd like to add. Of course, the easiest way is to email us directly. You may also message us through either of those sites after you've added us.
