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Clinical Psychology

  1. History and Evolving Nature of Clinical Psychology

Clinical psychology has undergone several changes over the years just like any other branch of medicine. Clinical psychologists are involved in four different activities, namely treatment, assessment, prevention, and research. In the past, a clinical psychologist would not be found practicing these four activities. However, history and evolution of the profession have a hand in it. The ultimate objective of a clinical psychologist is the wellness of his/her patient using the medicine and the treatment required.

Research was not part of clinical surgery during its inception. However, the founders of clinical psychology realized that using research enhanced the treatment of the patients. The data from the studies would bring about a higher comprehension of the problems at hand while enabling a perfect prediction of the cases that may come in the future.

On the other hand, assessment has been part of clinical medicine since it began. In the past clinical psychology prided itself in measuring the differences in vital personality and cognitive characteristics of individuals. Psychological tests and measurements on individuals were started later. These changes were attributed to Sir Galton Francis, who was inspired by the works of Darwin. Known psychologists to assess the mental abilities and problems have established various tests. For instance, the study of individual differences was established through the work of Catell James at a university in Pennsylvania. The assessment part of clinical psychology grew from there onwards until advanced assessment in psychology that is in action nowadays.

Treatment and prevention of mental illnesses were achieved mostly through listening and talking but not through drugs. The state and stature of mental illnesses have increased in the past years, prompting athat help subside dangerous after effects of mental illnesses and those that provide a complete treatment were developed.

Moreover, clinical psychology a few women involved in it. Psychological associations in the US, for instance, had less than ten women in its composition. However, with women’s suffrage their numbers in the profession are increasing each day.

Clinical psychology in the past was just a part of what it is today. Technological advancements have allowed the establishment of more viable ways that speed up treatment whilst ensuring that treatment is productive. The combination of all the four components of psychology also enables a psychologist to draw up a treatment plan that will seldom fail. Moreover, both women and men have equal rights and privileges in the profession, unlike the olden days.

  1. The Role Research and Statistics in Clinical Psychology

Research and statistics go hand in hand in every field of their application. Studying the environment of a particular field or industry has been found to alter the results and outcomes in the related field positively. Research and statistics has been in use in clinical psychology for a number of years. When applied in accordance with the professional codes and ethics of psychological practice, research and statistics are bound to produce impeccable results.

medication procedures needed for treatment of that particular disease. Moreover, a research on the family of a particular patient will provide a clue of the illness they are suffering because most of the mental problems are hereditary and tend to have familial ties. In essence, research improves the treatment through the use of past experiences.

Through research, veness of the treatment. Information on which parts of the treatment worked and which ones did not work will ensure that the development of a new mode of treatment will be free of these defects. For instance, in the treatment model for post-traumatic stress involved patients reliving their experiences, through research, this method was found to harm the patients. New methods of treatments were then established to deal with the problem. Research help in identifying the faults in a treatment plan and help the development of an error-free strategy.

Another role of statistics and research in clinical psychology is related to tests and measures. Statistical data and studies have enabled the creation and refinement of psychological measures and tests. The data gotten over the years enable the psychologist to determine the effectiveness of a particular measure.ent towards perfection.

Research eliminates the notion “what will be the results” or “had we known” in the treatment psychology. It enables the physiologists to look into the future with an eye of certainty because the knowledge of how it may be through research. Research allows for the formulation of an   effective treatment plan capable of producing the required results during treatment.

  1. The Differences Between Clinical Psychology and other Mental Health Professions

Clinical psychology is a practice associated with well trained individuals. These individuals often have a bachelor and a master’s degree in psychology. Moreover, clinical psychology deals with research, assessment, prevention, and treatment of mental disorders. The main area of specialty in clinical psychology is the treatment of these disorelated to the case that would make a person feel better.

Another fact is that, while clinical psychology deals with complicated mental cases, psychiatry deals with less-complex cases such as mood disorders or lack of self believe. These conditions do not need medication, but advice on how to deal with the condition.

School psychology is a profession that teaches the students on how to deal with fellow people and their clients in the future. The psychologists in this case do not need further training as their work does not involve helping someone out of a mental illness but rather imparts knowledge about psychology to the students. The training of social workers is different from that of psychologists, although they are required to help the people in the community. The people involved in social work are trained with greater emphasis on social factors. Social work helps to identify people with mental disorders and treat them in a socially based strategies and interventions