Clinical Psychology in Context: A Commentary on David Pilgrim's ‘British Clinical Psychology and Society’

Abstract

Why should trainees be interested in the history of clinical psychology? As with talking with clients about their pasts, often current concerns make sense when viewed through the lens of history. Moreover, a historical perspective helps us to identify patterns which may allow us to have some choices about the discipline’s future. For example, do clinical psychologists want to become solely a purveyor of individual therapy in the future? If so, does this bring any risks? Reading David Pilgrim’s article reminds me how quickly British clinical psychology reinvents itself and how things which once seemed central to the discipline are jettisoned. It will be interesting to see what the future holds and which of its current concerns stand the test of time.