Nature of the Discipline
Clinical psychologists and other health service psychologists must have the ability to conduct all professional activities (e.g., assessment, intervention, consultation) with sensitivity to human differences and contexts. Therefore, trainees must demonstrate knowledge, awareness, sensitivity, and skills when working with individuals and communities who embody a variety of cultural and personal background and characteristics that includes but is not limited to age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, language, national origin, race, religion, culture, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status.
Societal/Workforce Needs
The Clinical Psychology doctoral program (PsyD) at Appalachian State University aims to train students to serve rural and underserved populations. In 2024, 3,862 mental health professional shortage areas were in rural communities and it was estimated that 1,682 professionals would be needed to address the shortage. A specific dearth of psychologists serving rural residents and communities was noted (i.e., 15.8 psychologists per 100,000 in rural vs. 39.5 psychologists per 100,000 in non-rural; Rural Health Information Hub [RHIH], 2024). Regarding licensed psychologists in North Carolina, there was a concentration of 22.9 per 100,000 residents compared to 32.0 per 100,000 in the United States (apa.org/workforce/data-tools/geographic-distribution). A fairly recent estimate found that approximately 10% of the licensed psychologists in NC practice in rural areas (Domino et al., 2019). This is particularly concerning given the 2020 Census found that NC’s rural population was the second largest in the US with 33% of NC’s population living in rural areas.
Student Competencies and Accreditation Requirements
The American Psychological Association (APA) accreditation standards specify that doctoral students are expected to at a minimum to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of how their own personal/cultural history, attitudes, and biases may affect how they understand and interact with people different from themselves;
- Demonstrate knowledge of the current theoretical and empirical knowledge base as it relates to addressing diversity in all professional activities including research, training, supervision/consultation, and service;
- Demonstrate the ability to integrate awareness and knowledge of individual and cultural differences, including intersectionality, in articulating an approach to working effectively with diverse individuals and groups; and
- Demonstrate the ability to work effectively with individuals whose group membership, demographic characteristics, or worldviews differ with their own.
Other Discipline-Specific Factors
The APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct requires that psychologists consider individual differences and competency for all professional activities.