New developments in clinical psychology.

Despite great popularity, the field of clinical psychology has been undergoing severe internal struggles. The model of a clinical psychologist as scientist first and practitioner second has steadily eroded. Recent trends have included the development of professional schools for clinical psychologists that stress practical training for the rendering of professional services to people in difficulty, a general deemphasis in diagnostic testing, flexibility in intermingling various psychotherapeutic modalities, greater interest by professionals in community approaches, and consultation and prevention. The author sees the long-range development of clinical psychology as the study of community processes and interventions at the community level. In the immediate future, clinical psychologists could with benefit utilize the approaches and philosophy of community psychology in their work with individuals and groups.