Psychology is a broad field that is divided into several branches of study. Clinical psychology is among these fields that at times people fail to comprehend the kind clients it handles and the services it provides. Clinical psychology is an expansive branch of psychology that uses psychological ideologies to examine, curtail, and ameliorate mental distress, disability, and unhealthy conducts, and to improve psychosomatic and physical welfare. The field also integrates scientific examination that underscores the scrutiny of general ideologies, and clinical service that embraces the groping and caring of patients. Data collected from these activities encourages practice as well as assessment. Clinical psychology is an extensive way of handling both personal and interpersonal human tribulations that involves research, analysis, consultation, and rehabilitation with regard to enormous population. This field of psychology is committed to the doctrines of human well being and professional behavior as stipulated by the Code of Ethics of Canadian Psychological Association. The duties of clinical psychologist have been made easy with the introduction of modern technology, assessment and statistics hence, distinguishing it from other health professionals.
History of Clinical Psychology
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Psychology has existed for decades. It has its origins in Greece where philosophers applied holistic methods to treat mental diseases and influences. One of those Greek Philosophers who played a core role in the advancement of psychology was Hippocrates. He developed an ideology that it is the diseases within one’s body that caused issues and not a supernatural being. Another prominent philosopher-Plato asserted that the soul was responsible for an individual’s wellbeing and hence, if the soul was not in peace then one was likely to have psychological problems. As this idea progressed, another novel assumption was developed. The Roman Catholic Church instigated a doctrine that people who had psychological illness were under the influence of evil spirits. This thought was propagated by Thomas Aquinas who linked mental ailments to a particular supernatural power (Pilgrim & Cheshire, 2004).
However, the idea of clinical psychology was introduced in late 1800s in University of Pennsylvania during the launch of a psychological clinic. Lighter Witmer, the head of psychology in the school was determined to disapprove the belief that psychology was entirely composed of science. The psychological clinic was devoted to treating children who had learning weakness. It conducted research, which incorporated experiments to bring change on their patients. During this time, psychiatrists were handling clients who had grave mental ailments whilst the psychological clinic kept on expanding. This expansion was becoming rapid because clinical psychologists were easily improving psychological examination skills (Pilgrim & Cheshire, 2004). Throughout the First World War, the demand for psychologists increased as they were required to conduct assessment for two intelligence examinations- Army Beta and Alpha. The prosperity of these tests made clinical psychologists to endorse assessment in their practice.
As the war progressed, the American Association of Clinical Psychology (AACP) was established in 1917 but its existence was brief as two years later, the American Psychological Association (APA) introduced a Clinical Psychology department. Nonetheless, the field witnessed a gradual growth in subsequent years. Later in 1930, the American Association of Applied Psychology was founded and assumed the duties of APA when the association was rationalized in the Second World War (Pilgrim & Cheshire, 2004).
In the Second World War, the forces sought the assistance of clinical psychologists to check and evaluate mercenaries who returned from battlefield and determine their mental health. The evaluation revealed that most of the soldiers were suffering from Post-traumatic stress disorder, which was popularly referred to as shell shock. Concomitantly, an organization referred to as National Council of Women Psychologists, which was founded by female psychologists who had served in the battlefield. The aim of the organization was to assist those who were distressed because of the war and teach mothers how they could nurture their children (Martin, 2011).
APA reintroduced the clinical psychology department in 1945. Though PhD educational model underscored psychological therapy, the training was more of assessment rather than practice. In the late 1960s, the state authority endorsed a pilot program in Illinois. The program commenced in Rutgers University and over the years close to fifty percent of clinical psychologists has graduated through the program. Clinical psychology has progressed gradually and currently clinical psychologists are highly demanded in health institutions (Pilgrim & Cheshire, 2004).
The Evolving Nature Clinical Psychology
There is an inherent mechanism that promotes the evolving nature of clinical psychology and this is its relation with contemporary medicine and application of scientific methods. Clinical psychology has modified its applications to match the novel empirical evidence concurrent with the incredible innovations that have introduced ultra-modern standards in medicine (Martin, 2011). The current clinical psychology represents the progress that has been in the world of science whilst embracing a profound comprehension of the human brain, and one’s emotions. The growing relationship between assessment and practice has enhanced how clinical psychologists handle their clients. Furthermore, this emerging unity is essential for its evolving nature. However, the main challenge that the clinical psychologists face is meeting the personal demands of the clients when empirical research does not support such efforts.
Role of Research and Statistics in Clinical Psychology
Research has a fundamental role in clinical psychology as suggests solutions to issues that psychologists do not understand and where they obtain the evolving nature of the discipline. Statistics, on the other hand, enables researchers to know if the information is important and can be used in treating several patients. Research is at the core of clinical psychology since it enhances curative applications hence, improving how the psychologists analyze and rehabilitate their clients (Martin, 2011). Constant research enables the clinical psychologists to think critically and hence make wise and suitable decision that help their patients. There are numerous methods of conducting experiments and assessment: each of these techniques possesses disparate merits and demerits. Researchers should ensure that irrespective of the disparities that exist, the assessments should always be scientific and seek solutions to issues without prejudice (Pilgrim & Cheshire, 2004).
Disparities between Clinical Psychology and other mental health professions
Clinical Psychology can be distinguished from other health professions using the specialized training and degrees that are needed for those who want to practice it. School psychologists possess only master’s degrees; work within learning institutions and their clients are mainly students. Social workers, once they obtain their master’s degree can practice in health centers and other relevant authorities in the community. Social workers and school psychologists focus on biological elements of ailments and behavior with minimal researches (Klubben et al, 2012).
However, clinical and counseling psychologists share some similarity. Counseling psychologists are unique doctors who receive psychiatric education and biological components in behavior of mankind during their education. Despite the conflicting features of clinical psychologist and some health professionals, all these fields strive to apply the ideologies of psychology and comprehension of human mannerism to ensure that there is health, harmony, and improved standard of life in their community (Klubben et al, 2012).
Conclusion
The efforts of Witmer of altering the belief that psychology is not entirely composed of science, is progressively coming true. Over the years, there are numerous factors that have contributed in advancing of clinical psychology. Fortunately, these factors and efforts have immensely benefited many, considering the increased demand of clinical psychologists in health institutions. The disparities that exist between clinical psychology and other mental health professions have no barred them from working in unity to improve human life. Notably, other disciplines should learn from clinical psychology and start applying profound research to perfect their fields.
