Clinical Psychology in a New Context

Abstract

Applied psychology began by melding 19th Century psychology (that is, the laboratory study of sensation and perception) and the needs of the community for assistance in the assessment of children. Thus, general psychology within a developmental context constituted the ground out of which clinical work was developed. Participation by psychologists in two world wars rendering service to military personnel pulled applied psychologists into work with adults but also into a psychiatric (as opposed to a developmental) frame of reference. The 1949 Boulder Conference on training in clinical psychology was held not only to actualize the proposal that there be a separate doctoral program for clinical training but, also, that that clinical training should be grounded in and on psychology. That intent has not been satisfactorily actualized. The reasons for such an outcome and ways of rectifying this situation are discussed. The recommendation is made to return to a psychological (as opposed to the current psychiatric) frame of reference, one which emphasizes focus on social and cognitive development.