Introduction to Clinical Psychology

Definition and Aims of Clinical Psychology

• Clinical psychology focuses on the psychological aspects of human functioning, including emotional, biological, cognitive, social, and behavioral aspects.
• According to the American Psychological Association (APA), clinical psychology provides continuing and comprehensive mental and behavioral health care for individuals, couples, families, and groups.
• The main aims of clinical psychology are to understand, predict, and treat or alleviate disorders, disabilities, or any kind of maladjustment, and to act on a preventative level to promote human adaptation, adjustment, and personal development.

History of Clinical Psychology

• The discipline of clinical psychology emerged around the turn of the 20th century.
• Early pioneers, such as William Tuke, Philippe Pinel, Eli Todd, and Dorothea Dix, worked to make positive changes to the lives of the mentally ill.
• In the 1700s and 1800s, the mentally ill were often viewed and treated unfavorably, but these pioneers promoted a more humanitarian approach to mental health.

Early Pioneers

• William Tuke (1732-1822) raised funds to establish the York Retreat, a residential treatment center that provided care for the mentally ill with kindness, dignity, and decency.
• Lightner Witmer (1867-1956) established the first scholarly journal in the field, "The Psychological Clinic," and defined clinical psychology as a unique and hybrid profession incorporating influences from medicine, education, and social work.

Assessment and Personality

• Witmer's definition of clinical psychology emphasized the importance of assessment and categorization of mental illness.
• Emil Kraepelin (1855-1926) proposed a distinctive two-category system for mental illness, distinguishing between exogenous disorders caused by external factors and endogenous disorders caused by internal factors.
• Lewis Terman (1877-1956) revised Alfred Binet's intelligence test, resulting in the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scales, while David Wechsler (1896-1981) introduced the Wechsler-Bellevue test, a popular intelligence test for adults.
• James McKeen Cattell (1860-1944) coined the term "mental test" and introduced measures of personality characteristics.

Professional Role and Function

• Clinical psychologists work in various settings, including hospitals, clinics, schools, and private practices, and provide services such as assessment, therapy, and consultation.
• Their roles include conducting assessments, developing treatment plans, and evaluating treatment outcomes.

Training and Ethical Principles

• Clinical psychologists undergo specialized training, including a doctoral degree and internship, to develop expertise in assessment, therapy, and research.
• The profession is guided by ethical principles, including respect for human dignity, confidentiality, and avoidance of harm.