Running head: EXAMINATION OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY

Examination of Clinical Psychology

Amanda Ayers
PSY480
February 17, 2016
Mark Peterson

EXAMINATION OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY

Examination of Clinical Psychology

The term clinical psychology can be a broad one when it comes to an individual with no
knowledge of psychology and its vast subsets. Is it a discipline all in its own or is it something
as simple as a doctor in an office prescribing medication for mentally insane people? Clinical
psychology is an integrative effort to understand the interaction of the biological, psychological,
and social factors that make each of us tick (Plante, 2010). It is an incorporation of human
behavior and how it effects the different aspects of an individuals life. It incorporates major
aspects of human functioning. The focus of this paper will be placed on the aspects of clinical
psychology itself. From the history and evolving nature of this discipline to the role research and
statistics plays in conjunction with it. Also the difference between clinical psychology and other
mental health professions will be assessed.
History and Evolving Nature of Clinical Psychology
There have been many contributions that have lead up to the foundation of clinical
psychology. Sir Francis Galton was one of the first to formally study individual differences
among people. In turn this lead to William Wundt establishing the first psychology lab in the
United States. Not too long after, Lightner William, opened the first psychological clinic and
came up with the term clinical psychology. World War I and II created a huge boom in the
clinical psychology field. These two wars created a need for psychological tests and mental
health professionals due to the enormous number of men returning from war that had trauma
related psychological problems. This movement helped form a professional identity that would
last over the next 40 years. Along with the World War I and II movement, in the late 1940s the
American Psychological Association (APA) formalized a required curriculum for becoming a
clinical psychologist and also began accrediting programs that met these requirements. In the

EXAMINATION OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY

1950s the clinical psychology profession began to be recognized by state licensure therefore
making it a licensed profession in every state. As research and practice unite to provide
continued improvement to patient care, the relationship between the two is an essential
component to its evolving nature (Kazdin, 2008).
The Role of Research and Statistics in Clinical Psychology
Research and Statistics play a huge role in clinical psychology. In order to succeed in
this field, clinical psychologists must understand the research findings of others in order to
improve their own professional activities (Plante, 2010). Research is an essential component of
Clinical Psychology because it arguments therapeutic applications, improving the quality of life
for many individuals and determines more effective ways to diagnose, treat and understand
human behavior. According to Kazdin (2008), one of the conundrums between clinical
psychology and research is the clinician's best effort to "tailor treatment to meet the needs of
individual patients" (p. 17). The Scientific Method is what clinical psychologists incorporate
into their field of work. The scientific method brings together aspects of research and statistics.
It allows researchers to determine whether information is significant and applicable to wider
populations. Psychologists ask themselves, can this information be relative to human behavior,
diagnosis, and/or possible treatments for psychological disorders? Another way statistics plays
an important role in clinical psychology is through evidence. Evidence that is substantiated by
statistical significance allowed clinicians to apply proven therapies and theories confidentially
knowing their work is corroborated by the dependable and reputable methods of science (Plante,
2010).
The Difference between Clinical Psychology and Other Mental Health Professions

EXAMINATION OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY

Unless one studies up on the different subsets within the field of psychology, it is very
easy to over generalize and adopt the belief that every field is the same just with a different title.
At the same time, since almost all of the mental health disciplines share certain activities such as
conducting psychotherapy, understanding differences between these fields can be very
challenging (Plante, 2010). Let us take a look at a few of the similarities and differences
between clinical psychology and some of the more popular mental health professions.
The closest in relation to clinical psychologists are counseling psychologists. They both
go through the same rigorous training before obtaining their license. The difference between the
two is mostly shown in the curriculum. When we examine school psychologists the difference is
the fact that they are somewhat of a limited field. Their primary focus is within the educational
subsets only.
Then there are the famous psychiatrists. Psychiatrists are different on a few levels.
Mainly because they earn a medical degree and complete residency in psychiatry. The internship
between clinical psychologists and psychiatrists are different as well since the psychiatry
program focuses on medication management and other pharmaceutical approaches to psychiatric
disorders (Plante, 2010). With psychiatrists, there is minimal training in overall human behavior
with the research aspect being limited. The focus mainly relies on clinical diagnosis and major
psychopathology treatments. Since psychiatrists are not trained in psychological testing and
assessment, they often defer to clinical psychologists in order to acquire this often critical
information and they are rarely trained as extensively in rigorous research methodology like
clinical psychologists (Plante, 2010).
There are other types of psychologists besides those listed above. These psychologists
(cognitive, social, personality, etc) complete a doctoral degree in psychology with specialization

EXAMINATION OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY

in their specific area. However, unlike clinical psychologists they are not mandated to complete
an internship or post doctoral fellowship (Plante, 2010). These specialty psychologists can have
some small degree of interest in human behavior but not in abnormal or clinical problems. Since
they do not obtain a license to practice psychology they do not treat clinical problems.
Conclusion
With clinical psychology we have come to learn that it is a mixture of everything in a
sense. It brings to light the fact that what effects one affects another. For example, with clinical
psychology the science of this field informs the art but at the same time the art informs the
science (Plante, 2010). They both learn from one another. We have also learned that clinical
psychology uses the scientific method to approach and understand human problems in behavior,
emotions, thinking, relationships, and health. Just like there are subsets in every field there are
also subsets of mental health professions. Clinical psychology is not the only field and we have
come to learn of the vast similarities as well as differences between a few of them. One can
agree that the goals and activities of clinical psychology are noble: to use the principals of
psychology and our understanding of human behavior to promote health, happiness, and
enhanced quality of life (Plante, 2010).

EXAMINATION OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY

References
Kazdin, A. E. (2008). Evidence-based treatment and practice: new opportunities to bridge
clinical research and practice, enhance the knowledge base, and improve patient care.
American Psychologist, 63(3), 146-159. doi: 10.1037/0003-066X.63.3.146
Plante, T. (2010). Contemporary Clinical Psychology (3rd ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley &
Sons.