Expertise in the correctional setting: Comment on Neal (2018)

Abstract

Comments on an article by T. M. S. Neal (see record 2018-05574-001). Drawing out the distinctions and differences between forensic and correctional psychology, Neal (2018) provides a compelling overview of these separate but related subfields, yet the specialized postdoctoral training model described for forensic psychology is not necessary for the development of correctional psychologists. This comment elucidates 3 reasons why generalist training in an applied psychology setting provides a better model. The absence of an accumulated and advanced scientific base of specialized practice, the delivery of services to psychologically healthy and pathological populations, and the need for supervised practice in an applied setting are each described and point to a developmental model in which generalist skills in an applied setting are all suitable as an alternate to the specialization training model. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).