Certification of Clinical Sociologists: Benefits for Practitioners and Academics

Abstract

Recently, a major software developer called me. He had heard that I was a sociologist who could help him understand some basic social dynamics that would help his clients improve their relationships with customers. In the course of the conversation, he asked me about my background and experience. I described my academic training and consulting experience, and then I told him I was a certified clinical sociologist. ‘‘What is a clinical sociologist?’’ he asked. I explained that some sociologists are practitioners of sociology. I went on to describe sociological practice as a kind of ‘‘umbrella’’ term that includes clinical sociology on one side and applied sociology on the other—two distinct but related fields. Clinical sociologists are social scientists who use sociological theories and methods to develop interventions that aim to change behavior. Sociological theory informs or ‘‘drives’’ the clinician’s work. On the other side of the ‘‘umbrella’’ of practice are applied sociologists, who deal with research questions that are real-world problems. Applied sociologists use both qualitative and quantitative research methods in their work. Their findings inform and provide direction for the clinical sociologist who is the change agent (or for clients who wish to implement their own change efforts). Often, the clinician will call on the applied sociologist to do a postintervention assessment to answer the following question: Was the intervention effective? Did the client (individual, family, agency, community) change in the desirable way? Through this interplay of assessment, change, and evaluation, the practitioner works to understand and change behavior.