Clinical
psychology is one of the branches of applied psychology, which combines the
psychological theories and scientific discoveries, in order to understand the
nature of the human body and the symptoms of mental disorders that affect
humans and try to alleviate the symptoms and overcome psychological disorders.
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| History of clinical psychology and careers in clinical psychology |
Clinical Psychology
History, Approaches, and Careers - Clinical Psychologist Job Description
What is Clinical Psychology?
People
differ in their understanding and diversity of interests and behaviors. They
have their influence on different topics of psychology.
There may be
diversity between physical inefficiencies and mental illnesses, and between
social psychology and clinical psychology, and within educational, military and
industrial psychologies.
All this is
mixed up with the study of personality traits of intelligence, creativity, and
genius.
For a long
time, we have seen the attraction of individuals to the subjects of psychology
because they relate to the individual's understanding of himself and his social
environment.
The more
complex the society, the more we need to understand ourselves correctly in a
broader and deeper form.
Clinical psychology is needed by
individuals in their family relations, and social workers as well as parents in
many sectors of society, such as schools, and hospitals as well as mental
health institutions.
For the
interpretation of diversity and personality traits, the concept of clinical
psychology emerged in the world.
Clinical
psychology is
defined as a science that integrates theories, scientific method, and clinical
knowledge.
Clinical psychology
is the backbone of the mental sciences, and the medical professions concerned
with mental health, which are governed by a number of international rules,
laws, and standards.
Clinical psychology
aims to understand the nervous stresses of man, anxiety, amnesia, Alzheimer's,
depression, etc., as a result of the increased difficulty of life.
A Brief History of Clinical Psychology
Clinical
psychology refers to an evolutionary stage of rapid psychological development.
Although
modern psychology emerged in the late nineteenth century in the continent of
Europe, psychotherapy had occupied a place in different cultures.
Despite the
use of psychiatric and mental health clinics and hospitals for methods
considered primitive compared to the contemporary period, but the academic
community was rejecting these methods until Freud introduced a new method of
psychotherapy.
Speech
therapy was the first practical application of clinical psychology in the
world.
The method
of brain science was used at the beginning of the 18th century. This science
enables the doctor to examine the head through the shape of his external skull.
The first
institute specializing in the treatment of mental illness was established in
1879 by the German scientist Wilhelm Griesinger.
The work of
the institute focused on psychological research, the pursuit of treatment
methods and follow-up of existing cases.
In the
United States of America, the first psychotherapy clinic was opened at the
University of Pennsylvania that was established in 1896, specializing in the
treatment of speech and learning difficulties in children.
The term "clinical psychology" was first used systematically by Witmer-1896 to refer to assessment and diagnostic procedures for mentally retarded and physically disabled children.
This is the
first attempt to define the concept of clinical psychology.
Ten years
later, the term "clinical psychology" was introduced and defined as a
science that deals with studying individuals by observing and experimenting to
make a positive change in their lives.
In 1935, the
American Psychological Association (APA) defined clinical psychology
as an applied branch of psychology that aims to determine the characteristics
of an individual's behavior and abilities by using methods of measurement,
analysis, and observation.
It also
provides tests and recommendations for the purpose of the consensus of the
individual after the medical examination, through the use of scientific methods
to help people suffering from psychological disorders.
In 1975, the
American Psychological Association established the basic rules for the training
of specialists in the community psychotherapy.
What can Clinical Psychologists Specialize
in?
Careers in Clinical Psychology
Clinical
psychologists work in many fields related to research and psychological
counseling of various industrial, military and political bodies and
institutions, as well as solving family problems and organizing various
treatment groups for mental and neurological disorders
For this,
you have to obtain a license to practice clinical psychology in a specialized
clinic, and obtain a bachelor's degree in one of the branches of general
psychology in addition to a higher education specializing in the practice of
clinical psychology.
The duration
of practical training differs from one country to another in the program of
Doctor of Philosophy or Doctor of Psychology.
The period
usually ranges from three to four years, and the specialist must pass a written
test to obtain a license to practice the profession.
Many doctors
tried to deal with mental disorders by combining religious and medical views.
Others tried to deal with it through magic, sorcery, and legends based on
superstitions that do not contain or treat anything.
The clinical
psychiatrist's job differs from other psychologists or analysts according
to the laws, since the clinical psychiatrist is entitled to prescribe
medication, while a general psychologist or analyst is forbidden to
do so.
Where
Do Clinical Psychologists Work?
Medicine and Neurology:
A clinical
psychologist is a physician and neurologist who is entrusted with the task of
diagnosis and treatment.
No one
should consider himself a clinical psychologist unless he has a medical
background.
Measurement:
Clinical
psychology is concerned with identifying the abnormal conditions of some
people, which are the psychological, mental and personal tests and measurements
that are the basic tools in the diagnosis.
Without
them, the diagnosis will be unsuccessful and its success will not be expected
to achieve the desired goal.
Anomalous:
The work of
a clinical psychologist is determined by the study of homosexuals and
individuals who are less intelligent than ordinary people.
Behavior:
Clinical
psychology studies the behavior of the individual and includes diagnosing the
psychological state of the individual or his mind through observation and
experimentation to achieve an appropriate degree of adaptation to events,
attitudes.
Compatibility:
Clinical
science links the patient to reality and addresses the problems of
psychological compatibility of the individual and his compatibility with his
environment in order to achieve his demands.
Clinical Psychologist Job Description
Clinical
psychologists are specialized clinicians and licensed professionals
who are qualified and specialized in clinical psychology to
provide direct services to patients.
Psychologists
are experts in or psychological measurement or psychometrics
and formal tests.
Psychologists
specializing in clinical psychology have a great deal of experience in more
than one medical fields as well as clinical psychology.
They are
often interested in in-depth scientific research, teaching at universities,
counseling in their private clinics or public hospitals.
Clinical
psychologists work in a number of settings, including outpatient centers, hospitals,
government agencies, private practice offices, and military medical
services.
Police also
use clinical psychology in investigative and brainwashing
requirements, forensic and criminal certificates.
Clinical Psychology Services
Clinical
psychology services may include interpreting and administering personality and
cognitive tests, diagnosing mental disorders, conducting psychotherapy and
creating treatment plans. They are defined as:
1. Clinical
psychology is concerned with the development and interpretation of
psychological assessments and tests.
2.
Commitment to psychological research.
3. Clinical
psychologists specialize in providing psychological counseling to institutions
such as schools and universities.
4. The
clinical psychiatric care departments are committed to the development of
prevention and psychotherapy programs.
5.
Coordination, organization, and management of psychotherapy sessions.
6.
Diversification and combining the provision of psychological treatment.
7. Clinical
psychologists often work as academicians in university teaching.
What
Methods Do Clinical Psychologists Use in an Assessment?
Understanding Psychological Testing and
Assessment
1 - IQ
tests: These
tests also interested in measuring the proportion of educational achievement in
addition to tests that measure the intelligence of the person.
These evaluation tests measure some of the
skills of the child and the proportion of general knowledge and verbal skills
and memory and degree of attention and logical thinking and perception of
spatial and visual.
2 - Personality tests: The main objective of these tests is to reveal the psychological state of the person and the processes that pass through in addition to describing the patterns of behavior and ideas and feelings of the individual.
These tests
often rely on comparisons or on the mysterious stimuli that raise the soul to
come out of the ideas and theses.
3 - Neuropsychological tests: This assessment is further examined the neurological condition and if it suffers from problems affecting the health and ability to deal with reality properly, whether this has a psychological impact on the situation or not?
4 - Clinical observation: Clinical observation is carried out in
this field by observing the behavior of the individual, observing his general
behavior, mood, and his ability to perceive and deal properly with the reality
around him.
Topics taught by clinical psychology:
Problems of
children and adolescents
Family
problems and family relations counseling
Neuropsychiatric
disorders
Treatment of
disorders such as (trauma - addiction - eating disorders - sleep - sex -
depression - anxiety - phobia)
Clinical
psychology is also used in companies, schools, institutions, sports, and
forensic backgrounds.
Conclusion
Clinical
psychology is now taught at the Educational Psychological Counseling Colleges,
and many students graduate each year after undergoing intensive postgraduate
training to be able to treat patients.