University of Toledo Clinical Psychology Program Philosophy
The APA-accredited Clinical Psychology program at the University of Toledo follows a scientist-practitioner model.
We view the field of psychology as dynamic; therefore, first and foremost, we aim to train students as critical thinkers and scientists who have the skills to evolve with advances in the field of psychological science.
Accordingly, our program is designed to accomplish four key goals in the training of future clinical psychologists. In the context of pursuing these goals, the program strives to create an open environment for graduate students to engage in professional and personal growth.
- To provide students with broad and general education and training in the knowledge
base and theoretical and methodological foundations of the science of psychology and
more specifically, the field of clinical psychology. Specifically, graduates of this
program will acquire:
- A broad knowledge in the theoretical and methodological foundations of the science of psychology, and
- A depth of knowledge in the field of clinical psychology.
Here our goal is to train psychologists who will enhance the scientific knowledge base for mental and behavioral health and who will be knowledgeable consumers of this research. Therefore, our program emphasizes the need for each of us to see ourselves as life-long learners and our goal is to help students develop the skills to move toward increased autonomy in the pursuit of knowledge so that training does not end with the receipt of the degree.
- To provide students with didactic instruction and mentored supervision in the evaluation
and conduct of high quality and ethical research that will make meaningful contributions
to the empirical and theoretical literature of clinical psychology. Specifically,
graduates of this program will:
- Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of research skills.
- Be active and collaborative contributors to high quality research.
- Acquire the skills to conduct and disseminate original research.
- To provide students with didactic instruction and mentored supervision in the integration
of science and practice into their research, professional activities, and clinical
practice. Specifically, graduates of this program will:
- Acquire foundational knowledge and skills of the integration of science and practice central to clinical psychology, and
- Apply the reciprocal integration of science and practice in both their research and clinical activities, including assessment and treatment.
More specifically, our program strives for a balance between training in clinical research and clinical practice; however, we do not view these activities as distinct from one another. The program at the University of Toledo emphasizes the application of the scientific method to both research and practice, a true implementation of the scientist-practitioner model. We believe that clinical psychologists are poised to be leaders in healthcare and healthcare research so we strive to produce students who are innovators and who are prepared for leadership roles in multidisciplinary teams. We see the future of our field as one in which psychologists bring the critical skill of scientific thinking to multidisciplinary teams in applied and research settings.
Therefore, students who are best suited to our program are those who see the need for the integration of science and practice across all of the settings in which clinical psychologists are employed.
The program is committed to providing rigorous training to students in empirical research and clinical work that is scientifically-grounded. Although students may be exposed to multiple perspectives on the understanding of behavior and psychopathology, these are united by the emphasis on empiricism and the need to subject theory to the rigors of scientific inquiry.
- To provide students with didactic instruction and mentored supervision in ethically,
legally, and culturally informed decision making about clinical, research, and other
professional issues. Specifically, graduates of this program will:
- Acquire knowledge and increased sensitivity regarding cultural and individual diversity.
- Demonstrate awareness, sensitivity, and competence in considering individual diversity in the context of psychological assessment and practice.
- Demonstrate understanding and competence in ethical and professional practices and guidelines as related to clinical work and research.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the supervision and consultation literatures and acquire exposure to beginning practice in clinical supervision and consultation.
As a program, we value diversity and aim to produce psychologists who serve underserved populations through both research and clinical work. However, our emphasis on diversity extends beyond the populations we serve to the targets of our work (e.g., the individual or the community) and the value of multiple career pathways for our graduates. Therefore, we aim to offer breadth in training with the idea that students will individualize their program of study in line with their particular career goals and will develop significant expertise within their focus of study.
We also believe that in order to be highly successful in a highly competitive field, students must be prepared to be held to the highest standards in terms of their professional behavior, ethical sensitivity, productivity, and self-assessment. Therefore, students who are well-suited for study at the University of Toledo must be fully-committed, prepared to challenge preconceived notions about psychology, and to be open to rigorous evaluation from their peers and the faculty.