Clinical and health psychology: an international perspective

Edited by Gualberto Buela-Casal, this book features a series of interviews with leading psychologists, mostly clinicians, about the major current challenges and perspectives of Clinical Psychology worldwide.Among the interviewees in this book are many of today's most prominent figures in Psychology, including Alan E. Kazdin, Antonio E. Puente, Michael W. Eysenck, Suzanne Bennett Johnson, Stephen N. Haynes, Amanda Clinton, G. Reed, Carlos P. Zalaquett, John C. Nor-cross, Merry Bullock, Oscar F. Gonçalves, and Nadine J. Kaslow, among others. Coming from many different countries (e.g. the United States of America, Australia, United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, Portugal, Russia, Kuwait, and the Netherlands), these professionals broadly represent psychology (mainly but not exclusively Clinical and Health psychology) from an international perspective.The professionals featured in these interviews are international leaders in Clinical and Health Psychology and were interviewed by Spanish colleagues who are also prominent in their respective fields, including the editor of the book, Gualberto Buela-Casal, along with Juan Preciado, Wenceslao Peñate, Ana I. Rosa Alcázar, Juan Carlos Sierra, Juan F. Rodríguez-Testal, Carlos del Rio, and Cristián Oyanadel.The interviews touch on ideas, concerns, challenges, and the potential of Clinical and Health Psychology from a global perspective, as well as Psychology’s integration into society, relationships among professionals, the health systems across countries, and the recognition that psychologists receive as health professionals. It is important to bear in mind that the field of Psychology that attracts the most psychologists and peaks the greatest interest from students, professionals, and society, is Clinical Psychology. Despite the great diversification and growth of other fields of Psychology, which is illustrated by the 54 Divisions of the APA, the Divisions and working groups of the International Association of Applied Psychology (IAAP) and in the Interamerican Psychological Society (IPS) and many other societies across continents, Clinical Psychology continues to be the area with the largest recognition and visibility.This book analyzes and discusses in detail topics such as the training of psychologists, perspectives in health, the effectiveness of evidence-based therapies, neuropsychology, functional analysis of behavior, mini-brains", the use of information technology and the Internet, phobias, problems of childhood and adolescence, classifications of psychopathological disorders (DSM-5, ICD-11), catastrophes, corruption, sleep disorders, eating disorder, and many others. Psychology’s role in understanding and solving the problems associated with Covid-19 could not be left out, of course, due to its relevance at this time.Several of the interviewees have served as presidents of the APA in recent years. Another interviewee was the president of the IPS. Together, they are all internationally recognized individuals who have dedicated their lives to work at the institutional, scientific, social and/or individual level. They have held and continue to hold positions of great responsibility across fields in Psychology. They are also colleagues whose research and publications contribute to shaping the current state of the psychological discipline.This book undoubtedly offers a deep analysis of the current state of Clinical Psychology and its future perspective. It also examines the vision that the leaders of the discipline have about this important field of research aimed at improving the quality of life of individuals, families, groups, and societies.Foreword of Rubén Ardila Note on the scientific and international relevance of this book:This book is formatted to be an enjoyable experience for the reader and addresses current topics in Clinical Psychology. The authors offer their distinguished knowledge, backed up by many high-level scientific publications. To summarize, this book features ten APA leaders, along with exceptional professionals, specialists, and researchers who have published more than 4,000 articles in scientific journals indexed in the Web of Science (WoS), yielding nearly 140,000 citations. Twelve of the authors are part of the prestigious ranking of the world's most influential scientists by Stanford University published annually since 2020. Altogether, this illustrates the quality of the work you are holding in your hands."