What is Clinical Psychology

Introduction to Clinical Psychology

Lecture 1

Dr. Reem Ibrahim Ahmed

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Clinical Psychology.
Definition of clinical psychology According to the APA Division of Clinical Psych (Division 12): The field of Clinical Psychology integrates science, theory, and practice to understand, predict, and alleviate maladjustment, and personal development.
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Clinical Psychology focuses on the intellectual, emotional, biological, psychological, social, and behavioral aspects of human functioning across the lifespan, in varying cultures, and at all economic levels.

What is Clinical Psychology?

What does all that mean? In essence, we: Work to understand why people have psychological distress Work to prevent emotional disturbance/distress Work to relieve emotional disturbance/distress Promote psychological well-being* Promote personal development and growth*

What do you need to become a clinical psychologists?

Most important aspect: Personal Attributes Clinical Attitude/Approach -- use of knowledge from research on human behavior and mental processes, along with individual assessment, in efforts to alleviate personal/emotional distress Deep interest and compassion for people Integrity, emotional stability, and honesty Sound judgment

Training of a Clinical Psychologist Undergraduate (typical): focus on psychology 4 (or more) years of graduate course work Masters thesis or equivalent Practicum training Qualifying exam Dissertation Internship (typically one year) State Licensing exam
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Activities and Work Settings Of Clinical Psychologists

Research Teaching Psychotherapy Assessment Consultation Administration
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What exactly does a clinical psychologist do?

Assessment collect information about people to in essence diagnose problematic behavior, describe a persons personality characteristics, enhance personal well-being, determine possible career options, select employment candidates,

 provide legal decisions (criminal responsibility, commitment to an institution, family reunification, fitness to return to society, etc.), determine readiness and effectiveness of treatment

Treatment offer various interventions to resolve emotional distress and psychological problems (psychotherapy); most commonly used therapeutic approaches are cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic, and humanistic. Goals of treatment vary from person to person and are determined by clients and their therapists.

 Treatment can be performed on an inpatient basis (psychiatric hospital) or outpatient basis (community mental health center, offices, etc.)

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 Research -- conduct research to determine effectiveness of assessment and treatment procedures; understand etiology of psychological disorders in children and adults.

 Teaching -- provide educational activities at universities, colleges, etc.. Provide supervision for student practicum sites. Consultation -- provide advice to organizations, health care providers, school systems, and governmental agencies

General Characteristics
Activities and Work Settings of Clinical Psychologists Distinguishing Clinical Psychology from Related Professions

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Clinical Psychology: General Characteristics Emphasizes: Science Maladjustment Individual

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 Emphasis on Science
Clinical psychology, as a subdiscipline within the science psychology, adheres to two important assumptions of science: Determinism-events have determinable causes Empiricism-events must be observable and measurable
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Emphasis on Maladjustment
The concern is with the scientific understanding of abnormal behavior and emotional suffering

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Emphasis on the Individual

Clinical psychology uses research information gathered in groups of people to guide their work with individuals

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 Emphasis on Helping
Clinical psychologists help people in psychological distress Historically, helping was not the first emphasis of clinical psychology. Any guesses about the first emphasis of clinical psychology?

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Psychiatry Undergraduate: focus on biology or chemistry Medical school (one year) Internship (one year) Residency, specialty in psychiatry (three years) Board exams
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Overlap of Clinical Psychology and Psychiatry

Both Diagnose Treat using therapy (although training in psychotherapy is more heavily emphasized for clinical psychologists)

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Clinical Psychology vs. Psychiatry

Clinical Psychologists Learn to think as researchers To evaluate findings To defend their views by citing data Psychiatrists. Learn facts and use this knowledge to understand and treat patients

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Distinguishing Clinical Psychology from Related Professions

Last step in training in Clinical Psychology : Defend the dissertation Last step in training in becoming a physician: Take the Hippocratic oath

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Distinguishing Clinical Psychology from Related Professions

Counseling Psychology Most similar to clinical psychology Training about the same Counseling psychologists tend to deal with problems of adjustment in healthy individuals Historically counseling psychologists worked within university counseling centers
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 In last few decades, they have expanded their work setting to include private practice The valid distinction between the two fields is fading

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School Psychology Typically have a masters level of training Typically work in school settings Significant emphasis on testing/assessment Consultation with schools to improve learning environments

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Social Work 2 years of post B.A. training emphasizing clinical work Typically focus on working with the poor and disenfranchised segments of the population Work in settings dealing with many aspects of a patients life and care such as social security, housing, food stamps, Medicare, arrangements for nursing homes, and foster care placement Emphasis on therapy, but not diagnostic training or emphasis on research
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Employment Settings for Clinical Psychology Psychiatric Hospitals 4% General Hospitals 3% Outpatient Clinics 4% Community Mental Health Clinics 2% Medical School 8% Private Practice 39% University, Psychology 18% University, Other 4% VA Medical Center 3% Other 15%

Summary: What is Clinical Psychology

The field of Clinical Psychology integrates science, theory, and practice to understand, predict, and alleviate maladjustment, and personal development.

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