Comorbidity and psychological science: Does one size fit all?

Psychologists need a thorough understanding of comorbidity involving physical health, substance use, and other mental health problems for clinical research, practice, and training. Comorbidity affects case management from treatment entry through follow-up, touching the work of psychologists in all related settings and at varying levels of training. Conceptualizations of comorbidity, however, are heterogeneous and may vary by training and employment experiences and settings. As such, there is a need to examine the concept of comorbidity more methodically. This article argues that current knowledge and developing language challenges a one-size-fits-all approach to comorbidity. The article outlines and discusses relevant considerations for research, treatment, and training regarding comorbidity.