Guiding Philosophy

Guiding Philosophy

The Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine is founded on a scientist-practitioner model, as conceptualized at the 1949 Conference in Boulder, Colorado. The overall goal of the Doctoral Program is to graduate academic psychologists who are competent, ethical, and productive in the science and practice of clinical psychology. The Doctoral Program emphasizes the integration of science and clinical practice. Indeed, the faculty perceives clinical practice as critical to informing scientific knowledge, and scientific knowledge as critical to informing clinical practice.

The Program has three broad goals:

1. To train competent researchers in clinical psychology;
2. To train competent clinicians in the professional practice of clinical psychology;
3. To prepare students for careers in academic clinical psychology, particularly in health care settings.

To accomplish these goals, the Doctoral Program provides an intensive education, research training, and clinical training aimed to fulfill the following objectives and competencies:

Goal #1. To train competent researchers in clinical psychology.

Objective 1.1. Students will demonstrate an understanding of scientific knowledge and methods.
Objective 1.2. Students will demonstrate knowledge and application of ethical concepts and awareness of legal issues related to scientific conduct.
Objective 1.3. Students will generate research that contributes to the professional knowledge of clinical psychology.

Goal #2. To train competent clinicians in the practice of clinical psychology;
Objective 2.1. Students will demonstrate an understanding of and competence in clinical assessment and diagnosis.
Objective 2.2. Students will demonstrate an understanding of and competence in clinical interventions.
Objective 2.3. Students will demonstrate an understanding and competent use of clinical supervision.
Objective 2.4. Students will demonstrate knowledge and application of ethical concepts and awareness of legal issues related to the practice of clinical psychology.

Goal #3. To prepare students for careers in academic clinical psychology, particularly in health care settings.
Objective 3.1. Students’ behavior and comportment will reflect the professional values and ethics of psychology, and demonstrate integrity and responsibility.
Objective 3.2. Students will develop and maintain effective and meaningful interpersonal relationships with clients, peers/colleagues, supervisors, and professionals from other disciplines.
Objective 3.3. Students will demonstrate awareness, sensitivity, and skills in working professionally with diverse individuals, groups and communities.
Objective 3.4. Students will complete an APA-accredited pre-doctoral clinical internship.
Objective 3.5. Students will be employed as a clinical psychologist.
Objective 3.6. Students will be licensed as a clinical psychologist.