The Great Ideas of Clinical Science: 17 Principles that Every Mental Health Professional Should Understand
Product Description
The idea that there is a fundamental rift between researchers and practitioners should not come as a surprise to anyone familiar with the current literature, trends, and general feelings in the field of clinical psychology. Central to this scientist-practitioner gap is an underlying disagreement over the nature of knowledge – namely that while some individuals point to research studies as the foundation of truth, others argue that clinical experience offers a more adequate understanding of the causes, assessment, and treatment of mental illness.
The Great Ideas of Clinical Science is an ambitious attempt to dig beneath these fundamental differences, and reintroduce the reader to unifying principles often overlooked by students and professionals alike. The editors have identified 17 such universals, and have pulled together a group of the most prolific minds in the field to present the philosophical, methodological, and conceptual ideas that define the state of the field. Each chapter focuses on practical as well as conceptual points, offering valuable insight to practicing clinicians, researchers, and teachers of any level of experience. Written for student, practitioner, researcher, and educated layperson, this integrative volume aims to facilitate communication among all mental health professionals and to narrow the scientist-practitioner gap.
Steven A. Migalski said,
Wrote on July 12, 2010 @ 2:39 am
I can think of no other book available today that presents the scientific underpinnings of the field of clinical psychology better than this one. Today’s most respected scholars discuss the most relevant topics for clinicians in mental health, especially for psychologists. I will be assigning this text as required reading for my doctoral students so that they can learn to be scholars as well as practitioners, and practice not from the hip but from the comprehensive base of clinical science that exists to guide their work.
Rating: 5 / 5
Mr. David C. Williams said,
Wrote on July 12, 2010 @ 5:15 am
Excellent in almost every way. You’d probably want to know a bit about Paul E Meehl before you buy this book. If his brand of psychology is attractive to you, then you’ll love this book.
However, even if you’re not a follower of Meehl there is still much here to commend. The authors’ attempts to save psychology from the grip of fashion and pseudo-science are to be applauded.
Rating: 5 / 5