Prof Paul Salkovskis, Director of the Oxford Institute for Clinical Psychology Training and Research (OXICPT), the Oxford Cognitive Therapy Centre (OCTC) and Oxford Centre for Psychological Health joins us Department of Experimental Psychology.
Building on existing links between Experimental Psychology, OXICPT and OCTC, Paul’s appointment to the department on a part time basis will strengthen Oxford’s clinical psychological offering from the perspective of both experimental and evidence-based frameworks alongside clinical teaching.
Currently responsible for training clinical psychologists at the University of Oxford, under Paul’s directorship the OXCIPT has undergone some significant enhancements. Recently, the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology had its research aspect strengthened by changing it from a taught to a research postgraduate degree, bringing the course more in line with the latest psychological research and developments. Currently cognitive therapy courses provided by the OCTC are hosted in the Department for Continuing Education, it is planned to bring this to the Department of Experimental Psychology, further bringing cutting edge research to the classroom for the training of cognitive therapists.
Commenting on what this new appointment and subsequent closer working will mean, Prof Paul Salkovskis: “Clinical Psychology and related disciplines represent a blending of clinical art with psychological science. As we strengthen the empirical and evidential foundations of the Clinical Psychology Doctorate, we open up a range of new opportunities for all departments to apply good psychology, both theoretical and empirical, to better the understanding of mental health, wellbeing and psychological distress.”
Furthermore, Paul’s new role in the department and the closer links for greater clinical and research collaborations come at an exciting time for wider developments for Oxford and its clinical psychology role.
“We have been commissioned by Health Education England to train 25 clinical psychologists each year, up from 17 produced in previous years. The opening of a new national specialist clinic at Oxford and the possibility of further developments in the coming year make this an exciting time for strengthening our training and research capacity.”
Closer working between Experimental Psychology and these departments will support a greater exchange of expertise, and strengthen the clinical and translational features of experimental and clinical psychology. In doing so, this will support the development solutions for the current pressures and future challenges created by poor mental health and psychological conditions.