Current Training Practices and Training Gaps in Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology: Implications for Training...

This study aimed to inform training guidelines for Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology (CCAP) by assessing current CCAP training practices and perceived gaps in trainee readiness at each stage of training. Training directors (TDs) of doctoral, internship, and postdoctoral programs offering training in CCAP completed an online survey regarding training experiences offered in their program and areas in which trainees could be better prepared. Responses from each training program were coded to characterize the program's level of specialty training using the Taxonomy for Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology. Among doctoral programs, 30.8% met criteria for Major Area of Study in CCAP, 23.1% for Emphasis, 28.2% for Experience, and 15.4% for Exposure. Most internship programs (94.3%) and all postdoctoral programs met criteria for Major Area of Study. TDs indicated that trainees could be better prepared in areas specific and central to each level of training; time management was identified as an area for improvement across levels of training. Postdoctoral TDs identified proficiency gaps among trainees nearing independent practice that are critical for competent service delivery in CCAP, including case conceptualization, assessment, and intervention. The pattern of increased specialization later in training and identified gaps particularly near the end of training have implications for specialty training and the development of training guidelines in CCAP.

Training guidelines for CCAP offer value for program development, promoting consistency in training across programs, assisting trainees in achieving necessary experiences, and ensuring the competency of the mental health workforce. This study describes the current landscape of training and areas where trainees can be better prepared for doctoral, internship, and postdoctoral work. The results are intended to facilitate development of training guidelines for the specialty.