The Discipline of Family Psychology
Based on systems theory, the discipline of family psychology recognizes the dynamic interaction between persons and environments without detracting from an awareness of individual, intrapsychic issues.
A doctoral program in clinical psychology with an emphasis in family psychology incorporates numerous elements from several disciplines within psychology (e.g., clinical psychology, developmental psychology, personality theory, environmental psychology, neuropsychology, psychobiology, and social psychology). All the disciplines are related by the theoretical understanding of the dynamic, reciprocal relationship between these factors and their impact on human behavior.
This theoretical foundation undergirds the program courses at APU. In courses that have traditionally had an individual focus, systemic aspects relevant to the content area are incorporated. By the end of the program, students think systemically and apply systemic analysis to clinical situations.
In an era when it is increasingly difficult for people to navigate their way through the complex world in which they live, a doctorate in clinical psychology with an emphasis in family psychology best prepares graduates to provide psychological services.
