Vol. 16, No. 37	July 24, 1997

Faculty active in new national psychology group

One measure of its leadership has been the involvement of two faculty members-Robert Simons and Roger Kobak--in a new, national professional organization, the Academy of Psychological Clinical Science. The academy's goal is to integrate scientific research and the practice of clinical psychology.

Simons serves on the academy's board of directors and chairs its membership committee. Kobak, director of the Clinical Psychology Graduate Program, implements the academy's goals and standards on campus.

According to Simons, while the American Psychological Association is an excellent organization for psychologists, its emphasis has shifted from research to practice, as a majority of its membership are now professional psychologists who do not engage in research activities.

"As a result, there was a need for an organization for programs that focus on scientific research as well as practice," Simons said. "The University of Indiana convened a meeting of interested institutions three years ago that resulted in the formation of the Academy of Psychological Clinical Science."

UD met the academy's rigorous membership standards and became a charter member of the academy, which includes such schools as the universities of California, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Illinois and Wisconsin, and Indiana, McGill, Yale, Rutgers and Pennsylvania State universities. Approximately, one third of the programs applying each year are accepted, Simons said, and the academy is working with other institutions to help them meet its standards and goals.

"The academy fills a gap and provides a framework for programs driven by applied scientific research in psychology. In addition to practicing clinical psychology, it is important to develop and demonstrate programs in psychotherapy that are effective through research," Simons said.

Acording to Kobak, "The field of clinical psychology is changing, as is the whole health care arena, with an emphasis on documenting what works well. By emphasizing research, the academy provides clear goals and values that orient clinical training. Following these guidelines, our program trains students to be clinical scientists and policy makers as well as practitioners of empirically supported treatments."

In addition to courses, research projects and writing dissertations, students get hands-on experience in the program's clinic, directed by Rita Cohen at Belmont House. Its services are available to faculty, staff and the general public. Second-year graduate students serve as counselors at the clinic under the direction of faculty.

Off-campus internships also are required. The academy is currently developing a network with institutions whose educational goals are similar to the UD program to ensure that students benefit from their practicum experiences.

The strength of the UD program is its faculty, according to Kobak, whose field of research is family treatment of adolescent depression- what patterns lead to depression and methods of intervention.

Simons' research is in psychophysiology, studying how emotions are reflected in physical changes, such at heart rate, blood pressure and muscle activity.

Other faculty include Brian Ackerman, who studies high-risk children; Larry Cohen, who studies stress and coping; Mary Dozier, whose field is attachments in foster care; Julie Hubbard, whose interest is peer-rejected children; Caroll Izard, Unidel Professor of Psychology, whose research is on the role of emotions in human development; and Marvin Zuckerman, who is known for his research on the biological basis of personality.

"The UD clinical psychology program is small but well regarded," Kobak said. "Because of its high quality and its respected faculty, the program is highly rated and our graduates are in demand when they complete their doctorates.

--Sue Swyers Moncure