Η θεραπευτική σχέση στην κλινική και συμβουλευτική ψυχολογία

The introductory article of this special issue presents the therapeutic relationship in clinical and counseling psychology in order to highlight their similarities and their differences. Initially, reference is made to the particular characteristics of the therapeutic relationship from the point of view of clinical psychology followed by the specific characteristics of the therapeutic relationship as supported by counseling psychology. As can be seen from the position taken by both authors, recent developments in both applied fields show a gradual convergence in terms of the psychotherapy followed. Although at the beginning their differences seemed very obvious, through the years and their historical development, they have gradually faded away, allowing their similarities to stand out based on the philosophical movements, their theoretical views and their scientific interventions. The convergence of clinical and counseling psychology, in terms of the factors building the therapeutic relationship, emphasize their mutual acceptance of concepts, goals and processes.

Questionable Research Practices among Faculty and Students in APA-accredited Clinical and Counseling Psychology Doctoral Programs

This study examines self-reported engagement in questionable research practices (QRPs) by faculty (N = 164) and students (N = 110) in American Psychological Association (APA)-accredited clinical and counseling psychology doctoral programs. Both faculty and student participants were asked to report their own engagement as well as the engagement of their graduate school mentor in 12 QRPs. Nearly 65% of the faculty participants and 50% of the student participants reported engaging in at least one QRP. The most commonly reported QRP was selectively reporting findings that worked (35% for faculty, 26% for students) and the least commonly admitted was falsifying data (0% for faculty, 1% for students). Total number of QRPs engaged in was significantly predicted by knowledge of mentor engagement in QRPs (explaining 34% of the variance for faculty and 19% of the variance for students), but it was not predicted by degree year, number of publications, or self-reported researcher reputation. These results suggest that QRPs do occur in the field, but perhaps at lower levels than had previously been thought. They also suggest that additional training in QRPs is needed. Training implications and future directions are discussed.

An Evaluation of the Mental Health, Financial Stress, and Anticipated Debt-at-Graduation Across Clinical and Counseling PhD and PsyD Students

Clinical and counseling psychology doctoral programs are popular avenues for graduate education. However, little is known about the mental health and financial stress of students across the differing types of programs. We conducted as online survey of current doctoral students in APA-accredited psychology doctoral programs ( n = 114 Clinical PhD, n = 80 Counseling PhD, n = 123 PsyD). We also utilized a control ( n = 5,401 undergraduate psychology/social science majors). Results indicated that students in all doctoral programs had lower depression scores compared to undergraduates. Clinical PhD students demonstrated the best outcomes, though not significantly better from other doctoral programs. Undergraduates demonstrated significantly less financial stress compared to counseling PhD and PsyD students, but not clinical PhD students. Large differences were observed regarding anticipated debt-at-graduation, with PsyD students reporting the highest anticipated debt. Areas for further research, limitations, and policy implications are discussed.

Trainees’ Cultural Humility and Implicit Associations about Clients and Religious, Areligious, and Spiritual Identities: A Mixed-Method Investigation

Therapists’ cultural humility is associated with stronger client–therapist working relationships, though therapist trainees’ cultural humility toward clients of diverse religious, areligious, or spiritual (RAS) backgrounds is unknown. This is compounded by a lack of systemic training in RAS diversity within clinical and counseling psychology programs. The current, mixed-method pilot study ( N = 10) explored psychotherapy trainees’ self-reported and implicit attitudes (via Implicit Association Tasks) toward RAS diversity in clients, and then used a focus group to explore whether trainee responses to feedback about their implicit attitudes imbued themes of cultural humility that supervisors and educators could use as discussion points to heighten cultural humility and responsiveness in trainees. There was no association between trainees’ self-reported and implicit RAS attitudes; participant responses revealed cultural humility themes, including receptivity and openness to feedback (i.e., their levels of implicit attitudes toward RAS groups).