Routledge Professional Issues in Clinical Psychology: Developing a Professional Identity through Training and Beyond

Professional Issues in Clinical Psychology: Developing a Professional Identity through Training and Beyond offers insights from a range of trainee, recently qualified and experienced clinical psychologists as they reflect on the process of developing their professional identity through consideration of dilemmas and issues they experienced through clinical psychology training. Reflecting the breadth of the profession and the range of services in which clinical psychologists work, the chapters highlight the different types of roles that clinical psychologists are expected to undertake throughout training and post-qualification. The book provides practical clinical recommendations that can be applied in work settings in line with contemporary research, policy and guidance, as well as personal reflections from the authors on how managing professional issues has shaped their practice as a developing clinical psychologist. Developing a professional identity as a clinical psychologist is vital in learning to navigate these challenges. The process by which a professional identity develops is an individual journey. However, Professional Issues in Clinical Psychology offers aspiring, trainee or qualified clinical psychologists - and other healthcare professionals - with a contemporary resource around professional issues which might be encountered within clinical psychology practice. Review "The clinical training path is quite opaque for aspiring psychologists, and the opportunity for reflecting on aspects of professional development vary considerably between courses, so it is great to see a book to fill that gap. I think this book is relevant to psychology graduates seeking a career in clinical psychology, as well as trainees and recently qualified clinical psychologists. This is a career path in which we continue learning and reflecting on our practice and what we bring to the role throughout our career, and the varied topics covered mean there is something to offer even for those of us who have been in the role a while." - Dr Miriam Silver, Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Founder/Administrator of www.clinpsy.org.uk, the website for aspiring clinical psychologists "This significant and timely publication is sure to become a trusted guide for individuals attempting to make their way along the intricate pathway of professional and ethical practice. Originally conceived as a text for aspiring to newly qualified clinical psychologists, the depth of consideration of the complexities of developing a professional identity while maintaining a critically reflective stance will be of utility to practitioners from an array of professional backgrounds and a range of experience. The book contains deft and frank explorations of issues such as risk, trauma, power and boundaries, how they unfold and the challenges of managing them within an ever-changing social and political context." - Dr Anna Daiches, Clinical Director, Doctorate in Clinical Psychology programme at Lancaster University About the Author Will Curvis is a clinical psychologist in the NHS, working mainly in acute inpatient physical health and neuropsychology services with people with long-term physical health problems, pain problems or neurological conditions. He also works as a clinical tutor for the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology programme at Lancaster University.