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Beyond Theoretical Orientations: The Emergence Of A Unified Scientific Framework In Professional Psychology, Timothy P. Melchert
Beyond Theoretical Orientations: The Emergence Of A Unified Scientific Framework In Professional Psychology, Timothy P. Melchert
College of Education Faculty Research and Publications
Psychology has been remarkably successful as both a basic and applied science despite serious and persistent conflict between its many theoretical camps and schools of thought. By far the most influential approaches to conceptualizing clinical practice in psychology have been the traditional theoretical orientations, even though they are widely viewed as inadequate and incomplete. This article reviews the underlying reasons for these conflicts and then discusses the emergence of a unified scientific framework that moves the profession beyond these problems. Outmoded conceptual frameworks are not appropriate for a science-based profession, and professional psychology needs to consider making a systematic transition …
Examining The Content Of Mental Health Intake Assessments From A Biopsychosocial Perspective, Lari Meyer, Timothy P. Melchert
Examining The Content Of Mental Health Intake Assessments From A Biopsychosocial Perspective, Lari Meyer, Timothy P. Melchert
College of Education Faculty Research and Publications
Psychotherapists’ approach to intake assessment has a major impact on mental health case conceptualization and treatment. Despite the importance of this issue, very little is known about the actual intake assessment practices of therapists providing mental health care in the community. This appears to be the first study that has investigated which aspects of biological, psychological, and sociocultural functioning are documented by therapists in their client intake assessments, how thoroughly these issues are assessed, and how well the information collected is then integrated into the assessment findings and case conceptualization. The examination of 163 client files from 3 mental health …
Strengthening The Scientific Foundations Of Professional Psychology: Time For The Next Steps, Timothy Melchert
Strengthening The Scientific Foundations Of Professional Psychology: Time For The Next Steps, Timothy Melchert
College of Education Faculty Research and Publications
The field of professional psychology has been tremendously successful, although it has also been characterized by many competing preparadigmatic theoretical orientations, which have led to a great deal of contention as well as conflicting views regarding psychological development, functioning, and behavior change. There is now widespread agreement regarding scientific explanations of many psychological processes, however, and, consequently, it is time to update the basic conceptual frameworks used for professional psychology education and practice. Replacing the traditional reliance on an array of theoretical orientations with a science-based biopsychosocial framework would resolve many of the contradictions and conflicts that characterized the preparadigmatic …