This presentation will examine the evolution of professional psychology schools and their current relevance. In the late 1960s, outrage and hopelessness over economic and racial inequity erupted into riots in our cities. Deinstitutionalization had also begun and the Kennedy mental health act was spurring the nation to address a serious crisis stemming from the shortage of qualified mental health practitioners. Within the period between the mid-60s and 1976, when NCSPP was founded, 24 professional programs existed. One feature distinguishing these programs from existing scientist-practitioner programs was the integration of education with training in field placements. This educational approach was conceived as an action research model aimed at addressing societal needs. Our communities are facing many of the same issues today that existed when our programs were founded. Changes in accreditation, therapy approaches, healthcare economics and attitudes about access to care have occurred. Even the very name of our profession has changed from professional psychology to health service psychology. Are these obstacles or opportunities? How do we remain relevant? This presentation will outline how our schools can continue to address the most pressing needs in our communities.
Learning Objectives
1) Participants will be able to describe the history of NCSPP's social relevance values.
2) Participants will be able to assess the extent to which their program upholds these values.
3) Participants will be able to describe at least one way they can improve the social relevance of their program.