Clinical Psychology
Clinical psychology is one of the specialties of psychology. It deals with the assessment and treatment of mental illness, psychiatric problems, and abnormal behavior. They also have strong understanding of psychopathology and its diagnostic criteria. Clinical psychology also combines the science of psychology with the assessment and treatment of human problems.
This branch of psychology is also concerned with practical applications of research methodologies and searching for the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorder. Clinical psychologist also work in the hospitals settings, they can also practice at their own clinics by getting certain certifications which are different in different countries.
Early History
Clinical psychology mainly includes the work of the Austrian Psychoanalyst Dr Sigmund Freud, one of the first person who believed that mental illness can be assessed and treated by talking with the patient which led to development of his talk therapy also known as “psychotherapy” approach and this was where the scientific use of clinical psychology started.
First psychological clinic was opened by American psychologist Lightner Witmer in 1896 at the university of Pennsylvania with a motive of helping children who had learning disabilities. The term “clinical psychology” was introduced by Witmer in 1907 paper. Witmer was the student of Wilhelm Wundt defined clinical psychology as “the study of individual by observation or experimentation with the intension of promotion change”
By 1914, 26 more clinics were developed for the practice of clinical psychology in United States.
In other words, clinical psychologists administer and interpret cognitive and personality tests, diagnose mental illness, create treatment plan and conduct psychotherapy.
Evolution during world war
Clinical psychology became more prominent during the world war 1 when practitioners demonstrated the usefulness of psychological assessment. American Association of Clinical Psychology was developed in 1917 and was replaced by American Psychological Association after two years.
During world war II clinical psychologists were called to treat the post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Till 1940 United stated had no programs that offered the degree of clinical psychology but by 1950s the doctoral of philosophy were awarded in the field of clinical psychology.
Approaches to clinical psychology
Clinical psychologists mainly work as psychotherapists, and often use different treatment approaches while working with the clients.
Some of the approaches to clinical psychology are -:
Psychodynamic approach -: This perspective was introduced by Sigmund Freud, and believed that unconscious mind plays an important role in our behavior. Psychologists who use this approach for the treatment of clients may use the techniques like dream interpretation and free association for investigation of client’s unconscious motivation.
Cognitive Behavioral perspective -: This perspective of clinical psychology was developed by the behavioral and cognitive school of thought. Clinical psychologists who use cognitive behavioral perspective focus on how a client’s feeling, behavior and thoughts interact. CBT often focuses on changing thoughts and behavior of the client.
Humanistic Perspective -: This perspective was introduced by Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers. Psychologists who use this perspective focus on self-actualization. Self-actualization is achieved by following the hierarchy of needs given by Abraham Maslow, which starts from basic needs to self-actualization.
Role of Clinical Psychologist: –
The role of the clinical psychologist is to meet patients/ clients to identify their problems – behavioral, emotional and mental- in their lives. Clinical Psychologists assess the clients using different methods such as observation, interviews and tests. They also try diagnosing that is there is any disorder. Then according to the need of the client they formulate a program of treatment, they monitor the client’s progress on daily basis and also help the clients defining daily goals and a plan to achieve them and adjust them if needed.
Education requirement for clinical psychology -:
For becoming a clinical psychologist, you need a B.A / BSc psychology, M.A / MSc in clinical psychology, and MPhil is required in many countries like India to get the own practice certificate from RCI Rehabilitation Center of India, and in some countries PhD in clinical psychology is also required.
Therefore, clinical psychology is a very vast field of psychology with lot of scope. The scope of clinical psychology is well developed in developed countries like USA, UK, Australia. In developing countries like India it is still growing and is having a lot of scope.