Professional Issues in Clinical Psychology

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.

Table of Contents

Preface - Dr Will Curvis (Clinical Psychologist & Clinical Tutor)

Foreword: Introduction to Professional Issues in Clinical Psychology – Dr Richard Slinger (Clinical Psychologist & Clinical Tutor)

Part One: Challenges in learning to deliver psychological therapy through clinical psychology training.






Managing and Using Countertransference Emotions Within Therapy - Dr Roisin Turner (Clinical Psychologist)



The Power of Touch: Considering touch and physical contact within a therapeutic relationship - Dr Melanie Hugill (Clinical Psychologist)



Working in Secure Settings: How has this influenced the development of a professional identity? - Dr Laura Cramond (Clinical Psychologist), Dr Ailsa Lord (Clinical Psychologist)



Prescribed Endings in Therapy During Clinical Psychology Training – Dr Sarah Savekar (Clinical Psychologist)

Part Two: Understanding the broader role of clinical psychology; Professional issues across areas of practice.






The Identity and Contribution of Clinical Psychology in CAMHS
– Dr Graham Simpson-Adkins (Clinical Psychologist)




Thinking About Risk: Developing my identity as a clinical psychologist through experiences of risk assessment and management
– Dr Bethan Roberts (Clinical Psychologist)




Professional Issues in Neuropsychological Assessment – Lindsay Prescott (Trainee Clinical Psychologist), John Timney (Trainee Clinical Psychologist), Thomas Rozwaha (Trainee Clinical Psychologist)



Clinical Psychologists and the Welfare Benefits System – Dr Rebecca Hutton (Clinical Psychologist)



Supervision: The professional and ethical issues facing trainee clinical psychologists – Dr Nicola Edwards (Clinical Psychologist), Helena Coleman (Trainee Clinical Psychologist), Javier Malda-Castillo (Trainee Clinical Psychologist)



Should Clinical Psychologists be Political? – Dr Masuma Rahim (Clinical Psychologist), Dr Anne Cooke (Clinical Psychologist)

Part Three: Developing a professional identity as a clinical psychologist; Integrating the personal and professional.






A Trainee’s Evolving Experience of Working Collaboratively – Dr Helen Walls (Clinical Psychologist)



Self-disclosure as a Therapeutic Tool: Ethical and practical considerations – Dr Sarah Davidson (Clinical Psychologist)



Through the Looking Glass: Reflections on the transition from a trainee to a qualified clinical psychologist - Dr Liam Gilligan (Clinical Psychologist) and Dr Denise Herron (Consultant Clinical Psychologist)



Professional and Personal Identities as Clinical Psychologists: Being human – Dr Hayley Higson (Clinical Psychologist), Sophie Allan (Trainee Clinical Psychologist)