Closing the gaps: Developmental psychopathology as a training model for clinical child psychology

Espouses developmental psychopathology as a framework for training our futu re leaders due to its emphasis on an ecological, transactional lifespan per spective, as well as interdisciplinary bridging and policy focus. This pers pective, used as a framework for questioning and thinking about the complex interplay of psychological and social phenomena, provides a method for clo sing the gaps in training future psychologists as it allows for the develop ment of niche expertise under an umbrella of the broader, ecological perspe ctive. In an increasingly complex world of shrinking mental health dollars and growing severity of mental health problems for families and youth, clin ical psychologists are needed more than ever to solve social problems. The current training paradigms in clinical child psychology programs need redir ection and clarification for future psychologists to contribute meaningfull y to science, practice, and policy. This article provides background in the history and influence of the developmental psychopathology perspective, as well as future implications for doctoral training programs in clinical psy chology.