Counseling Health Psychology

Abstract

Training directors of American Psychological Association-approved counseling psychology doctoral programs completed a questionnaire assessing (a) student and faculty involvement in health-related research, practice, and teaching; (b) health-related research conducted by students and faculty; and (c) programs' expectations and ability to increase health training opportunities. Statistical comparisons suggest that a high frequency of programs name health psychology as an area of emphasis, offer specialized health psychology training, and provide health-psychology-related practica. Many reported faculty and student interest and involvement in health psychology training and research. Yet few faculty in these programs identified themselves as counseling health psychologists. Results suggest that there is interest in Regular Manuscript at University of Birmingham on March 22, 2015 tcp.sagepub.com Downloaded from Raque-Bogdan et al. 429health psychology within counseling psychology training programs but that only a minority of programs has developed structured curricula in the area. Given counseling psychology's unique emphasis on prevention, well-being, multiculturalism, and social justice, counseling psychology programs are well suited to developing counseling health psychology curricula.

Counseling Psychologists and Behavioral Health: Promoting Mental and Physical Health Outcomes

“…Consistent with her observation, counseling psychologists have become more engaged in shaping and delivering health care services in recent years (Lichtenberg, Hutman, & Goodyear, 2018). Notably, counseling psychology training programs have reported a robust interest in health psychology, recognizing a need to develop structured curricula within this area (Boland et al, 2019;Raque-Bogdan, Torrey, Lewis, & Borges, 2013). The current emphasis on health promotion and prevention is likely to continue in the future, as higher numbers of counseling psychology students and interns choose to do their practica and internships in health care settings (Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers, 2018).…”

Medically Unexplained Physical Symptoms: Why Counseling Psychologists Should Care About Them

“…Despite the fact that 25 years have passed since Alcorn's (1991) comment, psychologists' integration into primary care remains relatively new; in fact, primary care providers currently treat mental health concerns more frequently than psychologists (Olfson & Marcus, 2010). A survey of counseling psychology training program directors indicated more interest in integrative health care among graduate students than available training opportunities (Raque-Bogdan, Torrey, Lewis, & Borges, 2013). Although scholarship in counseling health psychology is increasing, such as research on improving the care of patients with HIV (Werth, Borges, McNally, Maguire, & Britton, 2008) and on reducing health disparities (Buki, 2007), health psychology has yet to become part of mainstream counseling psychology.…”

Neuroscience research on aging and implications for counseling psychology.

“…The area of neuropsychology has been relevant for counseling psychologists over the years (Ryan, Lopez, & Lichtenberg, 1999), and there is a growing interest in health psychology among coun seling psychologists (Raque-Bogdan et al, 2013) and the need for integrative care (American Psychological Association, 2008). Thus, it is important for counseling psychologists working with older adults to be aware of the advances in neuroscience related to aging, and specifically the progression of healthy aging to AD based on the high prevalence rate of AD among older adults (i.e., 11%), and being the sixth leading cause of death in the United States (Alzheimer's Association, 2013).…”