Development, Opportunities, and Challenges in the Field of Clinical (Applied) Psychology in India

Page: 288-291
Atul Madan1 and Dwarka Pershad2 (Department of Clinical Psychology, NHS Hospital, Jalandhar, Punjab1 and Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Trainer, Sector 48-C (PUDA), Chandigarh2)

Relatively in a short period, Clinical Psychology has become the science of all the sciences and has been integrated into health, rehabilitation, and education, etc. It has a great opportunity to get employment and to start own private practice. The country has a shortage of clinical psychologists. Nearly 40 institutes are recognized by the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) that are producing nearly 400 candidates each year including M.Phil and Diploma in Rehabilitation Psychology, M.Phil and Diploma in Clinical Psychology. Surprisingly, so far only about one thousand five hundred qualified candidates are registered with the RCI. Despite the growth of the profession, there have been certain challenges in the field. These challenges are, (1) debate about the nomenclature of the degree that is awarded by the university. It started with a diploma in medical psychology (DMP), then, DMSP (Diploma in Medical & Social Psychology), to M.Phil Clinical Psychology. M.Phil Sounds as One Year Course of the Universities with 500 hours teaching training. Whereas, RCI-MPhil is a two-year course with long working hours and with minimum holidays and off days, (2) how to fill the gap in demand and supply of clinical psychologists, (3) autonomy in the field for administrative and planning decisions, (4) right of prescription privilege. These issues are discussed, and some solutions are suggested.