THE PRESENT AND FUTURE OF CLINICAL AND HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY IN SPAIN: AN ALTERNATIVE VIEW

In our country, there are currently two types of psychologist qualified to practise psychology in the health field: the Specialist Psychologist in Clinical Psychology (PEPC) and the General Health Psychologist (PGS). These qualifications are legally regulated and their accreditation is obtained through two different programs of postgraduate training: the Residential Internship Program (PIR) in the case of the PEPC; and the Master of General Health Psychology (MPGS) in the case of the PGS. These programs are of different lengths (4 years for the PIR and 2 years for the MPGS) and they are accessed after completion of the corresponding degree in Psychology. However, both the objectives and the skills to be attained, as well as the content of the training programs, are really very similar, in spite of the different linguistic denominations used to describe them. On the basis of the existing differences in the terminology and the duration of the programs, some Spanish associations (ANPIR, COP, AEPCP and AEN) defend the position that there should be established between the two qualifications, in addition to a hierarchical structure, a clear boundary with respect to the functions that the two types of psychologist can perform (clinical and specialized versus health and general functions) and of the sectors or contexts in which they can practise (public versus private). In our article, we refute these positions and the reasons on which they are based and we argue extensively in favour of an alternative proposal more in tune with the reality of the facts and with the European context professional accreditation in clinical psychology, in the sense of accepting the existence of the two independent qualifications of clinical psychologists (the PEPC and the PGS), with direct access to both from the degree in Psychology, and with equivalent competencies and professional functions, although with some limitations in the case of the PGS, mainly with respect to the possibility of professional practice in the Spanish National Health System (exclusive to the PEPC) and in their activity, which would be carried out mainly in the private sector.