title: Introduction: Applying Clinical Psychological Science to Practice.
abstract: Mental illness is a prevalent and extraordinarily complex phenomenon. Psychologists have developed distinct approaches toward understanding and treating mental illness, rooted in divergent epistemology. This introduction to the Special Issue on Clinical Psychological Science and Practice provides a brief overview of the scientist-practitioner gap, and explores one step (of many) toward bridging this divide. Seven compelling case illustrations featured in this Special Issue apply empirical findings to case formulation, treatment selection, and assessment across complex and varied clinical presentations. This issue thereby demonstrates the feasibility of integrating research and clinical expertise in mental healthcare.
authors.affiliation: Teachers College, Columbia University.
authors.forename: Christine B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Cha
authors.affiliation: Teachers College, Columbia University.
authors.forename: Katherine A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: DiVasto
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D011586:Psychology, Clinical / Q000379:methods*
keywords: case illustrations; clinical psychological science; empirical studies; scientist-practitioner gap; treatment