Clinical psychologists' beliefs about the purpose of their profession in relation to the wider mental health system: a case study of views on new powers of compulsion

Despite the profession’s putative reflexivity, little theoretical or empirical literature addresses British clinical psychologists’ beliefs about the nature of their profession and its relationship with the wider mental health system. This study examined attitudes towards one new development – the adoption of compulsory powers – in order to discover the implicit beliefs that clinical psychologists draw upon in practice. Written comments from 292 clinical psychologists responding to an earlier questionnaire survey were analysed using Grounded Theory, together with data from a focus group.
Two contrasting constellations of belief emerged. Some clinical psychologists appeared to believe in the profession’s ability to transform services from the inside by opportunistically accreting power. Others appeared to believe in a need to defend the profession against assimilation, by maintaining separate spaces for more collaborative relationships. These overarching beliefs were associated with different beliefs about specific issues, namely professional identity, its compatibility or otherwise with coercion, where power is located and what drives organisational change.
These findings suggest a need for greater professional self-examination. They are considered with reference to organisational, sociological and psychological literature. Limitations and areas for further research are discussed.