Should the training of clinical psychologists require competence in the treatment and rehabilitation of individuals with a serious mental illness?

Abstract

The readership of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal is broad and not limited to a single profession; however, in this opinion piece, as the Journal moves under the umbrella of publications operated by the American Psychological Association, we focus on the need to engage one profession, clinical psychology, more fully in working with individuals with a serious mental illness. Many of the arguments provided below also have clear relevance to other professions, and may have implications for increasing their involvement in work with this population. In this opinion piece, we call attention to the insufficient training and lack of investment and involvement in the treatment of serious mental illness of one mental health profession, clinical psychology.