Current status of doctoral-level training in psychological testing

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Clinical Psychology
• Psychological Assessment Training

Background:

• Psychological assessment is a core component of clinical psychology doctoral training.
• Previous training trends indicated a strong emphasis on various assessment methodologies.
• Understanding current training practices is crucial for adapting to evolving clinical needs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To survey current trends and recent changes in doctoral training for psychological assessment.
• To identify the emphasis placed on different assessment tools and techniques in academic programs.
• To explore the impact of external factors like managed care on training curricula.

Main Methods:

• A survey was distributed to training directors of 82 American Psychological Association-approved doctoral programs in clinical psychology.
• Data collected focused on the status and changes in psychological assessment training.
• Respondents reported on coursework emphasis, essential tests, and program influences.

Main Results:

• Psychological assessment remains a major focus, though a slight decline in overall emphasis was observed, particularly for projective techniques.
• Traditional assessment tools, with exceptions like NEO-PI and PAI, are emphasized in coursework and deemed essential.
• There is an increased focus on interview and neuropsychological testing compared to previous surveys.
• Managed care has impacted only 29% of academic programs, indicating relative insulation from marketplace pressures.

Conclusions:

• Clinical psychology doctoral programs should maintain a strong foundation in psychological assessment.
• Training should adapt to include a greater emphasis on interviews and neuropsychological testing.
• Programs need to integrate traditional academic strengths with the practical demands of clinical practice.