On the construction of clinical psychology in Spain as a health specialty

Abstract

The constitution of clinical psychology as a health speciality in Spain is only understable within the framework of the modernization process that took place in Spanish society after the restoration of democracy. Spanish public health system`s development and deep transformation, the process of reform of health assistance in mental health (with the psychiatry reform), and the creation and consolidation of the psychological intern residents training system for the capacitating of specialists were the factors that allowed the collective of psychology professionals, with an important contribution from academics sectors, to start the process of constructing clinical psychology as a health speciality.