According to Society of Clinical Psychology (2002) “The field of clinical psychology integrates science, theory and practice to understand, predict and alleviate maladjustment, disability and discomfort as well as to promote human adaptation, adjustment and personal development.
It focuses on the intellectual, emotional, behavioural, psychological, social and biological aspects of human functioning across the life span in varying cultures and at all socioeconomic levels”
NATURE: –
- Emphasis on Science – Clinical psychology is largest sub discipline of psychology. The majority of doctoral degrees are awarded in this and is listed as the speciality area of the majority of members of the APA. It is imbued with the values and assumptions of science including Determinism and Empiricism.
Determinism is the assumption that all events have causes and that these causes are potentially knowable and that the causes follow some set of rules. These rules are also potentially discoverable. Empiricism is the assumption that science concerns itself with the events that are observable and measurable. A strict approach to science is however is not tenable. Hypothetical constructs (anxiety, intelligence, depression) are not directly observable but are known by their relationship to observable events. Clinical psychology is a discipline that employs and values scientific methods.
2. Emphasis on Maladjustment – Clinical Psychology concerns itself with abnormal behaviour and emotional suffering. It concerns itself with problems with which human beings struggle. As researchers, clinical psychologist apply scientific methods to understand how problems such as phobias, self-induced vomiting and many others develop and maintained. As clinicians, psychologists seek to understand the problems their clients experience and apply that understanding to help them gain relief. The focus upon “MALADUSTMENT, DISABILITY and DISCOMFORT” sets them apart from other disciplines of psychology
3. Emphasis on Individual – Clinical psychology is interested in nomothetic level of understanding. However, the emphasis is upon how general principles can be applied to understand the individual. This idiographic level of understanding is central to the practice of clinical psychology.
4. Emphasis on Helping – It is a helping profession. Clinical psychologists work to help people who are in psychological distress
BASIC ASSUMPTIONS
- All behaviour is determined
- Behaviour has plasticity
- Man is reactive to external and internal stimuli but is also proactive
- Each person is unique
- Behaviour is motivated and goal-directed
- Behaviour is centrally regulated
- Personality develops in patterned sequence
- Behaviour is adaptive
- Man is biological, social and psychological organism
SCOPE: –
Research –
Most clinical psychologists are products of graduate programs that include extensive training in research design, methods and statistics. Clinical Psychologist who train in traditional scientist-practitioner programs must conduct atleast one piece of original research in order to obtain their degree. Training is essential. Clinical psychologists who are university professors report that on average they spend about a quarter of their professional time engaged in research (Norcross et al, 1997). The types of research includes work adjustment, PTSD, physical aggression , couples therapy etc. Most psychologist do publish atleast 1 article, ablout 3/4th reported having presented atleast 1 paper at confrences and about 1/4th have published one book. (Norcross et al, 1997)
Teaching –
About 50% report that they spend some portion of their professional time teaching. About 15-20% are employed as professors at colleges, universities and other academic institutions. They teach courses that are within the domain of clinical psychology. The courses might include abnormal psychology, tests and measurements, theories of psychopathalogy, psychotherapy, clinical research methods, child assessment, neuropsychology etc. In addition, they may engage in clinical supervision.
- Psychotherapy – It involves helping people to understand and resolve problems. The prototype for psychotherapy is a one- on- one meeting between the therapist and client to discuss client’s problems. It is the most common form of therapy engaged in by clinical psychologists. It had become the predominant activity of clinical psychologists. 84% reported to have engaged in psychotherapy. University professors spent about 10% of their time, clinical psychologist about 40% and private practitioners about 60% of their time in psychotherapy.
- Assessment – Psychological assessment is the most frequently engaged in acticity by clinical psychologists. It involves collecting information about people’s behaviour, interest, emotions, thoughts, intelligence, interpersonal styles and so on. They use interviews, psychological tests and observations to collect the data upon which they base their assessment. The procedure vary depending upon the goal of the assessment. The general goal is to diagonise and to formulate treatment plans.
- Consultation – A clinical psychologist may utilize the skills in teaching, research, assessment or even psychotherapy. Clinical psychologists are often hired by organizations to provide advice and share their expertise. A school might hire clinical psychologist to evaluate students who present significant behaviour problems. In business setting a clinical psychologist might be hired to help employess learn to manage stress. Some clinical psychologists find consultation work to be personally and financial rewarding enough that they make it their primary professional activity.
- Administration – Many clinical psychologist find themselves holding administrative responsibilities as their careers develop. At universities clinical psychologists are department chairs, deans, vice presidents and presidents. They also occupy administrative positions in hospitals, clinics and mental health care. Clinical psychologists have skills and characteristics that make them suited for administrative work. They have strong organizational skills and also they develop strong interpersonal skills
