Constance Siaflas | The Work of a Clinical Psychologist

 

The Work of a Clinical Psychologist

A clinical psychologist helps people who are going through a variety of problems that can happen at any point in their lives. Thus, they deal with young individuals, adults, seniors, and children. They assist anyone who could be having issues with their physical or mental well-being or with disabilities.

These issues may be related to issues with:

bad life events, relationships, and emotions

offensive behavior weird experiences

usage of drugs and/or alcohol

Clinical psychologists also offer advice, instruction, and guidance to other professionals and organizations.

Constance Siaflas said Clinical psychologists cannot prescribe medicine because they are not licensed, physicians. Their research focuses on how individuals think, feel, and act and the effects these have on them and their interpersonal connections.

Numerous psychologists are interested in service evaluation and research.

Clinical psychologists treat patients with a variety of diseases, ailments, and problems. These could consist of:

The Evolution of the Wars

During World War I, clinical psychology gained increased recognition as practitioners proved the value of psychological tests. The American Association of Clinical Psychology was founded in 1917, but the American Psychological Association was founded just two years later, taking its place (APA).

Clinical psychologists were needed to assist in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder, formerly known as shell shock, during World War II (PTSD).

While science and research had largely been the early focus in clinical psychology, graduate programs started placing more emphasis on psychotherapy. These days, the Boulder Model or scientist-practitioner approach is what clinical psychology Ph.D. programs refer to as this methodology. 

Shifts in Attention

Later, the option of earning a Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) degree appeared, which gave more weight to professional practice than research. The practitioner-scholar, or Vail model, is a practice-focused doctoral degree in clinical psychology. 

The need for clinical psychologists is still great today due to the field's phenomenal growth.

Qualifications in Education

As Per Constance Siaflas Clinical psychologists are trained in clinical settings and often hold a Ph.D. in psychology in the United States. The educational prerequisites for a career in clinical psychology are highly demanding, and after receiving a bachelor's degree, the majority of clinical psychologists enroll in graduate school for four to six years.

You should always confirm that a clinical psychology program is APA-accredited before enrolling in it. Prospective clinical psychologists must complete a recognized graduate training program as well as a term of supervised training and an exam.

You should check with your state's licensing board to find out more information about specific licensure requirements since they differ by state.

 A Psychodynamic Strategy

This viewpoint arose from Freud's research, who thought that human behavior is significantly influenced by the unconscious mind. In psychoanalytic treatment, psychologists may employ methods like the free association to look into a client's underlying, unconscious impulses.

Cognitive Behavioral Perspective

The behavioral and cognitive schools of thought gave rise to this method of clinical psychology. With this viewpoint, clinical psychologists will consider the interactions between a client's feelings, behaviors, and thoughts. The goal of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is frequently to alter beliefs and actions that lead to psychological suffering.

Humanistic Viewpoint

This method of clinical psychology was developed in response to the ideas of humanist philosophers like Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers. This viewpoint emphasizes self-actualization and takes a more comprehensive approach to the client.

A Word From Verywell

According to Constance Siaflas, One of the most well-liked subfields of psychology is clinical psychology, but before deciding if it's the perfect field for you, you need to consider your interests. Clinical psychology can be a great fit if you like working with people and can manage stress and conflict well.

Because of the population's shifting requirements and alterations in healthcare policy, the discipline of clinical psychology will continue to expand and change. A psychology career self-test may be useful if you're still not convinced if clinical psychology is the proper field for you.