Contemporary Clinical Psychology

Abstract

Clinical psychology has undergone rapid evolution during its relatively brief history. Since World War II, clinical psychology has greatly expanded in several major dimensions, including academia, science, research, professional issues, and concerns for the public interest (Barron, 1986). New psychology doctorates in the health-service-provider subfields of clinical, counseling, and school psychology constitute the majority (53.2%) of new psychology doctorates (Howard et al., 1986). Clinical psychology accounts for 40% of all psychology doctorates awarded annually (Strickland, 1985), and the Division of Clinical Psychology has become the largest division within the American Psychological Association (APA, 1989).