Clinical Psychology 1 Lecture 1 PDF

Lecture 1: Introduction and organisation of the course Clinical psychology 1: Science and practice Anna Gabińska, Ph.D. Lecture overview  Clinical psychology as a field of studies and practice ◦ What is clinical psychology? definition and brief historical overview ◦ The place...

Lecture 1: Introduction and organisation of the course Clinical psychology 1: Science and practice Anna Gabińska, Ph.D. Lecture overview  Clinical psychology as a field of studies and practice ◦ What is clinical psychology? definition and brief historical overview ◦ The place of clinical psychology among other mental health domains ◦ The science and practice of clinical psychology: the scientist- practitioner model  Clinical Psychology as a profession. ◦ Becoming a clinical psychologist ◦ Professional activities of a clinical psychologist ◦ Clinical psychologists’ work in different settings  What is Clinical Psychology?  The field of clinical psychology integrates science, theory, and practice to understand, predict, and alleviate maladjustment, disability, and discomfort as well as to promote human adaptation, adjustment, and personal development.  Clinical psychology is a subfield of psychology that examines the study and treatment of human behavior and mental processes. The focus in on examining human behavior, personality characteristics, and psychopathology.  Clinical psychology focuses on the cognitive, emotional, social, behavioral and biological contributors to human functioning across the life span, in varying cultures, and at all socioeconomic levels.  Clinical Psychology focus on individual  Clinicians combine knowledge from research on human responses and mental processes with assessment in order to understand and treat the individual.  Clinical psychology is a subfield of psychology that examines the study and treatment of human behavior and mental processes. The focus in on examining human behavior, personality characteristics, and psychopathology. Clinical Psychology - specialized knowledge Understanding of psychopathology and mental health across the lifespan. Ability to assess cognitive, behavioral, emotional, and interpersonal functioning, and to integrate and synthesize test data with observations, interviews, and other data sources. Ability to conduct psychological and behavioral intervention to improve health and functioning using a wide range of evidence- based interventions Ability to conduct, disseminate, and implement research on a range of clinical psychological processes Establishment and maintenance of therapeutic relationships and communication with a broad diversity of populations Understanding of how developmental stages and life transitions intersect with the biosociocultural context and how identity evolves as a function of such intersections. Source: https://www.apa.org/ed/graduate/specialize/clinical Clinical Psychology – problems adressed Different behavioral and mental health issues faced by individuals across the lifespan including: adjustment issues and traumatic stress reactions emotional and psychological problems, including serious mental illness and crisis intervention interpersonal or social problems and dysfunction behavioral problems including substance abuse and dependence intellectual, cognitive, and neurological conditions Source: https://www.apa.org/ed/graduate/specialize/clinical The place of clinical psychology among other mental health domains. Clinical Psychology vs. Psychiatry Clinical Psychologists… Psychiatrists….  Learn to think as  Are physicians researchers to evaluate  Learn facts and use this findings knowledge to understand and  View the nature of client’s treat patients problems in a multivariate  Focus on biological aspects of way client’s problem  Diagnose personality and  Diagnose psychiatric disorders psychological functions (not psychological problems)  Treat through  Treat through psychotherapy pharmacotherapy Distinguishing Clinical Psychology from Related Professions Counseling Psychology  Most similar to clinical psychology  Training about the same  Counseling psychologists tend to deal with problems of adjustment in healthy individuals  Historically counseling psychologists worked within university counseling centers  In last few decades, they have expanded their work setting to include private practice  Less Focus on evidence-based interventions Distinguishing Clinical Psychology from Related Professions Psychotherapy, coaching  In contrast to clinical psychology, both are unregulated titles (anyone can offer services suing them)  Different training – for psychotherapy and coaching there are no educational requirements, only licensing.  Only clinical psychologist can conduct psychological assessment.  Provide psychotherapy or personality development to people with mental health/well-being problems (not necessarily disorders). Distinguishing Clinical Psychology from Related Professions Social Work  M.S.W. (2 years of post B.A. training) emphasizing clinical work  Typically focus on working with the poor and disenfranchised segments of the population  Work in settings dealing with many aspects of a patient’s life and care such as social security, housing, food stamps, Medicare, arrangements for nursing homes, and foster care placement  Emphasis on therapy, but not diagnostic training or emphasis on research The Scientist-Practioner Model  Call for clinical psychologists to be scientists goes back to the earliest days of the field. ◦ Witmer (1907) argued that the pure and applied sciences advance as one – what retards or fosters progress in one, retards or fosters progress in the other.  The Boulder Conference (1949) ◦ Formulated the “Boulder Model”  Scientist-Practitioner Model  Main reasons for “joint” training as scientists and practitioners So students could develop interests in both research and practice, despite the fact that most would concentrate on one or the other in their careers. Underlying assumptions:  Specialization in either research or practice was seen as likely to contribute to narrowness of thinking and rigidity of action.  Direct involvement in clinical work by researchers would foster their knowledge of important clinical issues so they would be more likely to study them. Why are clinical psychologists required to engage in research to earn their degrees?  Clinical psychologists need to be trained to critically evaluate published research on assessment methods & treatment options to determine which have been validated.  Research training will help Clinicians objectively evaluate their own treatment methods.  A strong research background will aid Clinicians who work with community mental health centers in assessing the effectiveness of the agency’s programs.  Clinical psychologists who work as faculty members at a university need to supervise and mentor students in research programs.  Scientist - Practitioner Model  Training in University Departments of Psychology  Trained as Scientist and Practitioners  Internship – typically one year of practice  Trained in diagnosis, research and therapy  Original research required  Significance of research Psychological disorders are real problems that affect real people research into the causes & treatment of psychological disorders is essential  An key aim of basic research in clinical psychology is to improve clinical practice - by developing novel interventions or improving the efficacy of existing ones.  But first we need an improved understanding of key mechanisms involved in psychopathology – so that we know which processes are associated with and/or causally linked to mental disorders and health.  We continue to refine theoretical models. What do Clinical Psychologists do? Conduct Research on human Make Psychological behavior and mental Assessments processes Use therapy to treat mental Provide consultation problems & disorders Work in Teach as Faculty administration Develop/engage in/direct Develop/engage in/direct health promotion programs prevention programs Educational Requirements for Clinicians Helping Professions: Mental Health & Social Services Areas Doctoral Degree (plus License):  Clinical psychologist (Ph.D.)  Counseling psychologist (Ph.D. or Ed.D)  Psychiatrist (M.D.) Masters Degree:  Mental health counselor  Social worker  Family & marriage therapist  Art therapist  Guidance counselor Educational Requirements for Clinicians Helping Professions: Mental Health & Social Services Areas Bachelors Degree:  case worker rehabilitation advisor  child protection worker family service worker  behavior analyst residential youth counselor  director of volunteer group home coordinator services social service director  substance abuse counselor daycare center supervisor  program manager veterans' advisor  psychiatric technician employment counselor