Clinical psychology

Clinical psychology

• 1.
  Nature and Scopeof Clinical Psychology DR. GARIMA GUPTA, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY, AMPGC VARANASI 1
• 2.
  Nature and Definitionsof Clinical Psychology  “Don’t become a mere recorder of facts, but try to penetrate the mystery of their origin.”– Ivan Pavlov  Clinical psychology is the branch of psychology that aims to treat emotionally ill and disturbed people through psychological testing and methods.  It is the application of psychological principles of behavior and pathology to the individual under study in clinic (Shaffer & Lazarus, 1952).  Clinical psychology focuses on assessing, diagnosing, treating and preventing mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders such as depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), severe stress etc. The main function will be to help patients effectively cope with their conditions and/or situations. 2
• 3.
  Conti…  Clinical psychologyis an applied branch of psychology devoted to helping, adjust, solve problems, change, improve and achieve highest potential (Saccuzzo & Kaplan, 1984).  It Involves research, teaching, and services relevant to the applications of principles, methods, and procedures for understanding, predicting, and alleviating intellectual, emotional, biological, psychological, social, and behavioral maladjustment, disability and discomfort, applied to a wide range of client populations.” (APA, Division of Clinical Psych (Division 12) 3
• 4.
   It studieswhy and in what condition people have psychological distress.  It tells about how to relieve emotional disturbance/distress.  It helps in understanding how we can promote psychological well- being.  It helps in understanding how we can promote personal development and growth  It helps us to understand how we can prevent emotional disturbance/distress In essence we can say that 4
• 5.
   It aimsto provide assessments to determine the presence of emotional disturbance  It aims to treat people with emotional distress through psychotherapy.  It purposes to conduct research on the cause, prevention, and promotion of mental health.  It purports to develop prevention and treatment programs. Goals or purpose of Clinical Psychology 5
• 6.
  What do ClinicalPsychologists do/Scope of Clinical Psychology Conduct Research on human behavior and mental processes Develop Psychological Assessments Use therapy to treat mental problems & disorders Teaching Consultation Administration 6
• 7.
   People studyingclinical psychology employ research paradigms to examine psychopathology and efficacy of therapies used for treatment.  People involved in the area of research aims to advance the understanding of human behavior and treatment outcomes for behavioral and mental health issues.  While doing research, the researcher determines the effectiveness of assessment and treatment procedures and understand etiology of psychological disorders.  1. It is essential for clinical psychologists need to be trained to critically evaluate published research on assessment methods & treatment options to determine which have been validated.  2. The research training helps Clinicians objectively evaluate their own treatment methods.  3. Clinical psychologists who work as faculty members at a university need to supervise and mentor students in research programs. Research 7
• 8.
  Assessment  Assessment helpsin collecting information about people while diagnosing problematic behavior, it describe a person’s personality characteristics, helps in enhancing 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.  The clinicians gather information on individuals regarding their behavior, problems, abilities, characteristics, intellectual functioning, and personalities.  During clinical interview with client, the clinician may administer tests to assess general intellectual abilities, memory, reaction times, psychological & mental functioning. 8
• 9.
  Assessment Procedures Clinical Interview Toobserve both verbal and non-verbal behavior By Administering Tests Administration of battery to examine an individual’s general IQ, level of cognitive & perceptual functioning, to infer the incidence of psychopathology. 9
• 10.
  Diagnosis and Treatment The clinicians provide therapeutic treatment for individuals with behavioral and psychological problems.  It offer various interventions to resolve emotional distress and psychological problems. Mostly it uses therapeutic approaches such as cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic, and humanistic.  The goals of treatment may vary from person to person and are determined by clients and their therapists.  Method of treatment is determined by:  Clinician’s theoretical orientation (background).  Nature of the client’s problems.  Is client adult or child?  Is client an indoor or outdoor patient?  Does client need medication in combination with therapy? 10
• 11.
  Teaching  Clinical psychologistsusually have a doctorate in psychology and also have receive training in clinical settings. Many psychologists engage in teaching often at the university level.  The courses usually taught by clinicians are abnormal psychology, theories of counseling, psychological testing and assessment, clinical psychology, and personality.  The clinicians who teaches graduate programs are also mentor of graduate or post graduate students in research programs, they supervise research theses/internships of students at any level, and present/publish research with their students. 11
• 12.
  Consultancy  Many clinicalpsychologist are involved in counseling thus, they support the client’s motivation to do the right things, helps in reducing emotional pressure and, facilitate in decision making.  The clinical Psychologists may work as consultants in areas such as research, academic, & clinical settings.  Consults may:  Educate individuals in a setting  Advise  Provide direct service 12
• 13.
  13