Clinical Psychology in Spain: History, Regulation and Future Challenges

Abstract

The heterogeneity of national regulations in clinical psychology and psychological treatment across Europe requires a detailed description of every regulation to start a shared discussion. In the current paper, we describe the history, legal regulations, a specialized training program, the current status and some future challenges for clinical psychology in Spain. The evolution of clinical psychology in the Spanish National Health System (NHS) towards a health specialty regulated by law, exemplifies a balanced process of expansion, social recognition and professional settlement. Overall, the growth of clinical psychology in Spain may depend on access to leadership and management positions in the NHS that would allow a better organization of care resources to improve citizens’ access to psychological treatment. Spanish regulation of clinical psychology is mediated by socio-cultural and political changes that occurred in the late 70's and 80’s in the country. Recognition as a licensed clinical psychologist is obtained through a 4-year training system as an intern resident psychologist (PIR). PIR is a training system of supervised internships, with increasing autonomy in various healthcare departments in the National Health System (NHS). Achieving independent Clinical Psychology Services within the NHS in order to organize, implement and deliver evidence-based practices is currently one of our biggest challenges in the near future. Spanish regulation of clinical psychology is mediated by socio-cultural and political changes that occurred in the late 70's and 80’s in the country. Recognition as a licensed clinical psychologist is obtained through a 4-year training system as an intern resident psychologist (PIR). PIR is a training system of supervised internships, with increasing autonomy in various healthcare departments in the National Health System (NHS). Achieving independent Clinical Psychology Services within the NHS in order to organize, implement and deliver evidence-based practices is currently one of our biggest challenges in the near future.