The Role of Translational Neuroscience in the Evidence-Based Practice of Clinical Psychology

摘要

Is the Information Age progressing to the Knowledge Overload Age? The presence of big data, complex systems, and vast knowledge networks can overwhelm a clinician’s capacity to sift through abundant research findings and theoretical models. Demand for economically-driven evidence-based practice and the ethics of incorporating continuing education place enormous demands on clinicians that are difficult to achieve effectively, efficiently, and ethically. Translational science is a research discipline focused specifically on the production of valid and reliable uses developed from scientific research findings. In the discussions on translational science, one controversial issue has been the role translational neuroscience plays in clinical psychology. On the one hand, translational neuroscience has been argued as a research discipline bridging scientific discoveries of the brain and the creation of novel standardized psychological treatments. On the other hand, some describe translational neuroscience as the clinician’s daily use of current scientific understanding in the clinical setting. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate that clinical psychologists are actively translating neuroscience research into clinical practice and to emphasize the need for the development of tools and support structures that facilitate this process at the clinical level. This thesis focuses on a summary of the types of neuroscience research and research disciplines influencing the practice of clinical psychology, case studies demonstrating current translation of neuroscience into clinical practice and the ethical implications of this ongoing translational process of neuroscience research into the clinical setting.