The Department of Clinical Psychology is the only one of its kind in Bangladesh offering postgraduate studies (MS, MPhil, PhD) and training in clinical psychology at international standards and producing professional Clinical Psychologists for the country. With tireless efforts of the late Professor Anisur Rahman and support from Dr. Graham E. Powell, a practicing British clinical psychologist, this postgraduate professional training program was initiated as a new stream at the Department of Psychology in 1996 under a link project between the University of London and the University of Dhaka. The Department of Clinical Psychology was established later as a new discipline under the Faculty of Biological Sciences in 1997. The motto of the Department is – “Promoting Mental Health and Well Being”.
Before establishing the Department, the study of psychology in Bangladesh went through two distinct phases of development which can be characterised as the age of philosophy (1921 – 1965) and the age of basic psychology (1966-1996). The introduction of Clinical psychology initiated the age of applied psychology (1997 onward) in Bangladesh. It also triggered the growth of other applied psychology areas and interest groups among professionals and public in Bangladesh, e.g., Educational and Counselling psychology, School psychology, Organizational psychology, and Mental Health in general.
As a key stakeholder in health andmental health, the Department works closely with government and non-government organisations (local and international) to provide service, offer training, conduct research, organise conferences (national and international), create awareness, and make policyfor improving mental health in Bangladesh and quality of life of it’s peoples.
