Individuals who have graduated from clinical science programs in psychology, such as those accredited by PCSAS, typically pursue careers that align with their specialized training and interests in clinical science. These professionals are trained to conduct rigorous research, apply the discovery of knowledge to evidence-based practices, and contribute to the understanding of mental health and behavior. Here are a few examples of clinical scientists making contributions to improving mental health:
We are Clinical Scientists!
Read about Dr. Tim Campellone here
What is your current profession/position and how do you feel it relates to clinical science? I am currently the Vice President of Translational Science at Woebot Health, a digital mental health company whose mission is to make healthcare radically accessible. Clinical science is at the core of what I and my team do every day. The role of a translational scientist is to take our understanding of how to treat serious diseases–understanding the mechanisms–and translate that knowledge into guidance and requirements that a team of engineers and content writers can then build into an effective digital mental health treatment. Translation is also about discovering ways to advance clinical science by leveraging the digital modality to deliver treatment and assess behavior in new ways.
How did your clinical science training prepare you for your profession/position? My clinical science training taught me to focus on problems and mechanisms. Whether it be case formulation for conceptualizing treatment or elucidating causal/maintaining factors in research, the focus was always on deeply understanding the problem at hand. Developing digital mental health interventions in an industry setting is all about solving problems, and the ability to think critically about the nature of the problem to inform a data-driven and first principles approach is something that I directly attribute to my training.
For you, what does it mean to be a clinical scientist? Being a clinical scientist means marrying a passion for exploration and discovery guided by theory and data with a methodical approach and healthy sense of skepticism.
Research Scientist
Read about Dr. Emily Panza here
What is your current profession/position and how do you feel it relates to clinical science? I am an Assistant Professor (Research) at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University and the Miriam Hospital’s Weight Control and Diabetes Research Center. My position is almost entirely research-focused, and my program of work is focused on understanding how social determinants of health impact weight-related health in marginalized communities, most notably sexual and gender minority groups and people living with HIV. My K23 (sponsored by the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities) is focused on culturally tailoring an evidence-based online behavioral weight loss intervention for sexual minority women, showing a clear integration of clinical science and research.
How did your clinical science training prepare you for your profession/position? The clinical science training that I received at Rutgers taught me both the value and limitations of psychology research, learning that informed my career path. My graduate training instilled in me a deep appreciation for the value of conducting research to test and optimize the effectiveness of our clinical interventions, but it also clarified how so much of our research has overlooked the perspectives of people from marginalized communities. The goal of my research today is to center the perspectives of people from sexual and gender minority communities in research on weight, weight stigma, and cardio-metabolic health.
For you, what does it mean to be a clinical scientist? For me, being a clinical scientist means understanding the value that research has in ensuring that the psychological treatments we develop and deliver are effective, while also having the humility to see the wisdom of each individual, family, and community we work with to shape our conceptions of healing and health.
Assistant Professor
Read about Dr. Jenna Wells here
What is your current profession/position and how do you feel it relates to clinical science? I am currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at Cornell University. Although we do not have a clinical program at Cornell, many of the students are interested in topics related to clinical science. In addition to teaching courses related to clinical topics, I am studying questions related to clinical phenomena and populations.
How did your clinical science training prepare you for your profession/position? Throughout my training as a clinical scientist, I became highly attuned to observing and analyzing behavior. As a researcher, I was trained to apply various behavioral coding systems to quantify affective and relational processes. As a clinician, I learned to notice relevant behaviors—beyond just the words my client would express to me—and consider all of this “data” when conceptualizing the case. These experiences prepared me for a career in which I form ideas and questions, measure behaviors to test these questions, refine and develop new ideas and questions, and so on.
For you, what does it mean to be a clinical scientist? Clinical scientists draw upon scientific perspectives to shape clinical practice, and they apply clinical insights to guide science and policy. We strive to improve the quality and availability of evidence-based methods and interventions in order to improve the public’s health and well-being.
Some Possible Clinical Science Career Pathways
Here is a list of some career pathways that have been followed by graduates of clinical science programs:
Practicing Clinical Psychologists: Training under a clinical science model can ensure treatment interventions are grounded in science and research. Many PCSAS graduates become licensed, practicing clinical psychologists. In a recent comprehensive analysis of over ten years of PCSAS graduates, we found that 73% report engaging in clinical service delivery in their current positions.
Academic Roles: Clinical scientists often pursue careers in academia, working as professors, researchers, or both. They may teach courses related to clinical psychology, conduct research in areas such as psychopathology or therapy effectiveness, and also mentor graduate students.
Clinical Supervisors and Consultants: Some clinical science graduates become clinical supervisors, and oversee the training and development of other mental health professionals, such as interns or therapists-in-training. They may also offer consultation services to organizations or to other professionals.
Research Positions: Clinical scientists may work as researchers in various settings, including universities, research institutions, government agencies, or private companies. They design and conduct studies to advance our understanding of mental health issues and develop evidence-based interventions.
Policy and Advocacy: Some individuals with clinical science backgrounds engage in policy and advocacy work. They may work for government agencies, non-profit organizations, or advocacy groups to influence mental health policies and promote evidence-based practices.
Program Development and Evaluation: Clinical scientists may be involved in developing and evaluating mental health programs and interventions. These clinical scientists may be involved in designing and assessing the effectiveness of therapy programs, prevention efforts, or advancing public health initiatives.
Teaching and Training: Clinical science graduates often teach and train other mental health professionals or students. This may involve designing and delivering workshops, seminars, or continuing education programs.
Hybrid Roles: Some individuals pursue hybrid careers that combine clinical practice with research or teaching, allowing them to apply their clinical science knowledge in multiple ways.
The specific career paths chosen by clinical science graduates depend on their specific interests, expertise, and professional goals. However, all these paths involve a commitment to integrating scientific knowledge and evidence-based practices into their work, contributing to the advancement of clinical psychology and the improvement of mental health care.
Next page: How Can I Get Involved in PCSAS?