Clinical psychology, psychotherapy and mental health: Contemporary issues and future dilemmas

This paper focuses on a prospective approach to the future of clinical psychology and psychotherapy from the personal perspective of its author. First, the basic dilemma confronting a psychotherapy for the future is presented in terms of the alternative discourses of objectivism and constructivism. Secondly, the ontological status of the object of psychological science is discussed. A central part of the paper is devoted to the implications of the aforementioned developments for psychotherapy research, practice, and teaching/training. Finally, a series of items for the future agenda of psychotherapy and clinical psychology are proposed.