Definition of Clinical Psychology

When a person needs help in dealing with life issues, professional counseling is often a chosen course of action. Clinical psychologists are professionals trained to assist individuals in handling the mental or emotional issues that cause problems in their lives. The field of clinical psychology is made up of researchers and treatment practitioners.

Identification

• Clinical psychology is the practical application of psychological theory to diagnose and treat those who suffer from mental disorders. Psychological assessment tools are assess a person's mental functioning. Psychotherapy methods are then used to help address whatever issues affect a person's ability to deal with life circumstances. Through therapy sessions, individuals learn new ways of approaching life situations and how to handle them. Clinical psychologists typically work with doctors and social workers within a hospital or clinic setting.

History

• The practice of clinical psychology began at the end of the 18th century with the opening of the first clinic at the University of Pennsylvania. Lightner Witmer, a psychologist, founded this clinic to assess individuals who suffered from mental distress. It wasn't until the 1940s that clinics provided treatment for individuals in response to the demand created by World War II for trained clinicians. As a result, clinical psychology branched off into two areas of study--research and clinical practice.

Psychotherapy Approaches

• There are four main psychotherapy approaches used within the clinical setting: psychodynamic, humanistic, cognitive-behavioral and systems therapy. Psychodynamic treatment models focus on helping individuals to work through the unconscious thought processes that prevent them from dealing with everyday life. Humanistic treatment methods focus on the individual's sense of self, and the meanings she assigns to her values and intentions. Cognitive-behavioral treatment approaches focus on helping individuals understand how their thought processes affect their emotions and behaviors. System therapy treatment approaches are used with groups or families to address and improve the destructive communication patterns that create conflict in groups.

Psychology versus Psychiatry

• Clinical psychology is often confused with the field of psychiatry. Both fields are involved in diagnosing and treating mental disorders; however, the roles of the clinical psychologist and the psychiatrist are different. Psychiatrists hold a medical degree, and have chosen psychiatry as their specialty field. As a result, psychiatrists can prescribe medication as a form of treatment, in addition to providing psychotherapy. Clinical psychologists hold either a master's or a doctorate's degree in psychology, and typically work as part of a treatment team. Their primary roles involve research and/or clinical practice.

The DSM-IV

• Clinical psychologists use a manual called the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) as a guideline for assessing and treating mental disorders. This manual is published by the American Psychiatric Association, and serves as a worldwide reference for researchers and clinicians, as well as insurance companies and pharmaceutical companies. The DSM-IV is a categorized listing of mental disorders, that provides information on how to identify, or diagnose various mental conditions. The first manual was published in 1952, and has undergone five revisions since. The DSM-IV was published in 1994, and is the latest revision to date.