What is Clinical Psychology? An Introduction

APA Division of Clinical Psychology “ The field of Clinical Psychology involves research, teaching, and services relevant to the applications of principles, methods, and processes for understanding, predicting, and alleviating intellectual, emotional, biological, psychological, social and behavioral maladjustments, disability, and discomfort, applied to a wide range of client populations”

A Subfield of Psychology Like all psychologists, clinical psychologists are Interested in the science of human behavior Interested in the science of mental processes Interested in applying research to solving human problems or improving human welfare Unlike other psychologists Interested primarily in human behavior and mental processes Interested primarily in the science and application of psychology to solving mental health problems that humans Develop Inherit Learn Design

Based on Research Like all psychologists, clinical psychologists conduct research on behavior and mental processes Like all psychologists, clinical psychologists are concerned with applying research to improving human welfare Like some other psychologists, mainly study people may study animals when research or ethical considerations rule out humans

Involved in Assessment/Measurement Like personality and industrial/organizational psychologists, clinical psychologists are involved in Assessing and measuring Abilities Characteristics Gathering data Analyzing Interpreting Supporting observations Frequently using assessments to understand one person

Efforts to Help People Who are Psychologically Distressed Like many other helping professionals Psychiatrists Social workers Family physicians Counselors Nurses Educators Clergy

So what distinguishes clinical psychology? Not the activities they engage in Combining Knowledge gained from research on human behavior and mental processes Efforts at individual assessment To understand and help a particular person

Key distinctions Use of science and theory to guide specific interventions for people experiencing problems or disorders How general psychological principles shape Lives Problems Treatments Treatment based on research and assessment

An example A man comes to a mental hospital claiming that space aliens have stolen his thoughts. Through what lens will he be perceived by Experimental Psychologist Psychiatrist Clinical psychologist

Activities of licensed psychologists Amount of time spent in different activities depends on work setting Assessment (5% - 23%) Treatment (18%-61%) Research (1%-15%) Teaching (5%-40%) Consultation (5%-7%) Administration (4%-20%)