Clinical Psychology

Have you ever wondered what the differences are between counseling psychologists, clinical psychologists, and psychologists? What makes a clinical psychologist a clinical psychologist? What makes them different from other professions?

• What is clinical psychology?
• What do clinical psychologists do?
• How is clinical psychology different from counseling psychology? General psychology?

Clinical Psychology Definition

Clinical psychology uses both research and psychology theories to understand and help individuals with treatment and evaluations. It is a blend between psychological theories and research. Because the education and requirements necessary to become a clinical psychologist are more demanding than other subcategories, a clinical psychologist can work in different settings. Examples of these different settings include helping those with learning disabilities, children and adolescents, and even in forensics.

So what does a clinical psychologist do? Or rather, what is a clinical psychologist expected to do? There are five key elements.

Assessment

In the beginning, an assessment of the patient or client is most important to understand problems or issues that are to be addressed. Psychological testing is also possible at this point to gather more information to move forward in the process.

clinical psychologist at work, pixabay.com

Formulation

Importantly, both psychological theory and research findings are used to understand the problems the patient is facing, to "formulate" a plan of action.

Communication

This factor seems obvious in all psychological professions, but clinical psychology especially needs strong communication to convey both psychological theories and clinical points of research.

Intervention

At this point, a clinical psychologist must consider the most beneficial forms of intervention to best help the client.

Evaluation

In summary, these elements (both in psychological theory and in research) are an integral part of clinical psychology. Clinical psychologists can use important tests and surveys to better understand a person's afflictions. The research that is performed by clinical psychologists helps to provide information for services for whole populations. This in turn helps with evaluating and treating individual cases with evidence-based information. Now, let's consider how is this any different from other forms of the discipline, including counseling psychology.

Clinical Psychology vs. Counseling Psychology

It can be confusing when comparing both clinical and counseling psychology. What are the key differences if they overlap as much as they do?

Clinical psychology's central point or focus is psychopathology (the study of mental disorders). Most often, the problems that are being presented to a clinical psychologist are considered to be more severe. For example, the person may be experiencing symptoms that pertain to schizophrenia. In contrast, counseling psychology focuses on helping a person identify their problems in life and interpersonal relationships.

A counselor at work untangling a person's mind, pixabay.com

General Psychology vs. Clinical Psychology

General psychology has a larger scope of study than a more specific subcategory such as clinical psychology. General psychology is simply the understanding of psychological functions and the study of behaviors. Clinical psychologists have a more specific field to train for; it includes understanding research as well as counseling subjects to implement assessments, and interventions necessary to help a patient.

Importance of Clinical Psychology

Clinical psychology is an important subcategory of psychology designed to help patients with their afflictions. It has done so since its birth in the mid to late-1800s. Clinical psychologists are dedicated to research, assessments, the formulation to apply for psychological help, interventions, and evaluations. Psychopathology has made understanding severe ailments in individuals easier to research and understand, in turn making it easier to help those who are in need. Because clinical psychology can encompass so many psychological elements, its importance in the world is crucial.

There is a growing need for clinical psychologists in America and other areas of the world. There has been a change in the idea that psychological help carries a stigma. People are becoming more open to the idea of using psychologists to better help them understand themselves, and process life events (such as the COVID-19 pandemic). Because psychology is constantly updating in the face of new scientific information, clinical psychologists have to constantly upgrade their education and training as well. A clinical psychologist's constant need to upgrade their knowledge is also one of the many reasons that they have significant importance in the psychology arena.