Challenges for the scientist- practitioner model in contemporary clinical psychology

N 1949, the major names in clinical psychology in the US met in Boulder, Colorado, to discuss the state of clinical psychology after the Second World War. This conference, and subsequent proceedings (Raimy, 1950), led to the development of what has become known as the ‘scientist-practitioner’ model of clinical psychology. This model entailed a combination of the scientific basis of psychology with its application to clinical practice, so that clinical psychologists were trained to be both a scientist, and a practitioner (Raimy, 1950). Scientistpractitioners would embody an integrated approach to both practice and science, adopting a research-based approach to practice, and a practice-based approach to research, with each complementing the other. This model has been reinforced by subsequent conferences such as the Stanford conference (Strother, 1957) and the Miami conference (Roe et al., 1959). The scientist-practitioner model has been generally widely accepted, being described by clinical psychologists as ‘the hallmark of our discipline’ (Carter, 2002). However, since its inception nearly 60 years ago, the scientist-practitioner approach to clinical psychology has been a source of considerable controversy, with a number of discussions over its suitability (e.g. Albee, 1970; Mittelstaedt & Tasca, 1988). Those working in the mental health system have found it hard to implement into professional practice (Milne & Paxton, 1998), and debate has occurred over whether or not these two roles are actually combined (Barlow, 1981), and whether it is necessary to do so (Shakow, 1978). This paper discuss issues and challenges surrounding the implementation of the scientist-practitioner in clinical psychology today, focusing on a number of key areas; controversies surrounding evidence-based practice, conflicts with idiographic approaches to treatment, discussions over whether clinical psychologists can be both a scientist and a practitioner, and possible alternative models.