As a major field of psychology, clinical psychology focuses on understanding,
the assessment, and treatment of behavioral and psychological disorders and problems.
Plante (2011), “in fact, clinical psychology focuses its efforts on the ways in
which the human psyche interacts with physical, emotional, and social aspects
of health and dysfunction” (p. 5). It makes an attempt at using the principles
of psychology to alleviate, predict, and understand behavioral, social,
psychological, biological, emotional, and intellectual components of human
functioning (Plante, 2011). Also, it makes use the principles of human behavior
for assisting individuals with various concerns and problems experienced during
one’s lifespan in their physical selves, emotions, and in relationships
(Plante, 2011). Clinical psychology has a vast history and evolving nature. Research
and statistics hold a significant role in regard to this major field of
psychology. As a field of psychology, clinical psychology shares some
similarities with and other professions; such as school psychology, psychiatry,
and social work, but numerous differences do exist that distinguish it from these
and other disciplines.
The History of Clinical Psychology
Clinical psychology as a field developed from the discipline psychology,
which in turn developed from philosophy. The thoughts and ideas of numerous
philosophers such as one of the most influential thinkers ever, Sigmund Freud, in
regard to the human mind and behavior, sparked the foundation of what is known
as psychology today. However, psychology did not develop into a discipline distinct
from philosophy until 1879. At this point, at the University of Leipzig in
Germany, German philosopher Wilhelm Wundt, also known as the father of
experimental psychology developed the first psychological laboratory, which
resulted in the formation of psychology as a discipline distinct from
philosophy (Plante, 2011). Also, what contributed to psychology becoming a distinct
discipline occurred in 1892, with the formation of the American Psychological
Association (APA). Four years after this development at the University of
Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, American psychologist Lightner
Witmer opened the first psychological clinic (Watson, 1953). Hence, this resulted
in the emergence of clinical psychology as a field of psychology. In regard to
specialty areas of psychology, clinical psychology is the more so popular area.
Plante (2011), “today clinical psychology is a complex and diverse field
encompassing numerous subspecialties and a continuum of scientific and
practitioner-focused enterprises” (p. 31).
The Evolving Nature of Clinical Psychology
Despite the APA lacking an interest in clinical psychology because
of a primary interest in scientific research occurring in an academic setting
and not of clinical applications, clinical psychology still grows at a rapid
pace in the twentieth century during the first two decades (Plante, 2011). At
this point, clinical psychology grew rapidly in spite of the rejection of the APA.
However, this is not the determining factor of the evolving tendency of
clinical psychology. One reason clinical psychology is ever evolving is because
of Sigmund Freud’s influential thoughts and work that helped mold the direction
of clinical psychology. Numerous psychologists have either sought to disprove Freud’s
work and develop other schools of thought in regard to the human mind and
behavior or sought to further Freud’s work. Although, clinical psychology instinctively
has an evolving nature because of its concern to understand, assess, and treat behavioral
and psychological disorders and problems. Therefore, clinical psychology
continually uses research and the scientific method to develop a better understandings,
assessments, and treatments of such disorders and problems.
The Role of Research and Statistics in
Clinical Psychology
Integrated into clinical psychology’s foundation is research. Applied
and basic research enables clinical psychology to answer questions in regard human
behavior, treatment, and diagnosis of psychological disorders and problems (Plante,
2011). Fundamental to the practice and science of clinical psychology is
research. In regard to statistics, it is an aspect of the scientific method used
in research that enables clinical researchers to collect statistical data that
enables them to determine if significant information is relative to human
behavior, diagnosis, and treatments of psychological disorders and problems. Both
research and statistics play a significant role in clinical psychology.
Clinical Psychology and other Professions
Numerous differences exist between clinical psychology and other
professions, like psychiatry, social work, and school psychology. For instance,
clinical psychology and psychiatry are two of the most dominant mental health
professions that share a close relationship; whereas, they share a common
interest of treating and understanding mental illness (Haslam & Lusher, 2011).
However, they differ as far as clinical activities, professional training to
become a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist, and various other respects,
such as for beliefs about the treatment, etiology, and nature of mental illness.
As well as differing in practice characteristics, professional roles, scientific
research, and publication of relevant findings in regard to understanding, treating,
and alleviating mental illness (Haslam & Lusher, 2011).
However, researchers with psychology and psychiatric backgrounds commonly
collaborate and publish with each other, but the journals that they publish in remain
set apart by disciplines. In regard to social work, unlike in psychology, social
workers do not obtain an education as extensive as that of clinical psychologists
and are not as extensively trained in performing research or the use of testing
instruments of psychology as with clinical psychologists (Plante, 2011). In
regard to school psychology, school psychologists usually only obtain an MA in
psychology, and few obtain a Ph.D.; whereas, clinical psychologists obtain a Ph.D.
Also, school psychologists extensively work in special education, secondary,
and elementary schools; whereas, clinical psychologists work in varying
education fields, private and public practices, teach and perform research in
clinical settings.
The major key differences among clinical psychology and other professions
of mental health are that clinical
psychology is an integration of clinical knowledge, theory, and science, that
is, a means to understand, relieve, and prevent psychologically-based dysfunction
or distress; therefore, promoting development and subjective well-being.
Conclusion
Focusing on assessing, treating, and understanding behavioral and
psychological disorders and problems is the nature of clinical psychology. Clinical
psychology’s history is vast, and it is the foundation of a discipline that has
an evolving nature. Research and statistics have held a critical role; whereas,
enabling clinical psychology to maintain the focus of assessing, treating, and
understanding behavioral and psychological disorders and problems. Numerous differences
exist between clinical psychology and related fields, but the major difference
is the nature of clinical psychology being an integration of clinical
knowledge, theory, and science.
Plante, T.G. (2011). Contemporary Clinical Psychology (3rd
ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Watson, R. I. (1953). A Brief History of Clinical Psychology.
Psychological Bulletin, 50(5),
321-346. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/h0062847
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