Blackwell Reference Online

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Martina Sanchez just graduated from the university with a bachelor's degree in psychology and she is investigating graduate programs in psychology ( American Psychological Association, 2003 ). Because of the strong emphasis on family in her cultural heritage, she is looking for programs that will prepare her to work with couples, families, and the larger social system with which they interact. It is not easy; Graduate Study in Psychology ( American Psychological Association, 2007 ) primarily identifies clinical, counseling, and school psychology programs, as well as some emphases in those programs, but it is hard to tell exactly what kind of education and training in family psychology she will receive. Education in family psychology is evolving from its roots in post-doctoral institutes to a wider range of teaching-learning venues that include doctoral programs with an emphasis in family psychology; pre-doctoral internships with concentrations in couple and/or family psychotherapy; and post-doctoral internships, continuing education seminars, and institute training in the specialty. However, there is still ambiguity regarding education and training venues. This chapter provides an overview of current educational pathways related to family psychology in the United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK). There continues to be some confusion between the specialty of family psychology ... log in or subscribe to read full text