14 Facts About Clinical psychology

Clinical psychology is an integration of social science, theory, and clinical knowledge for the purpose of understanding, preventing, and relieving psychologically based distress or dysfunction and to promote subjective well-being and personal development.

In many countries, clinical psychology is a regulated mental health profession.

Clinical psychology psychologists are expert in providing psychotherapy, and generally train within four primary theoretical orientations—psychodynamic, humanistic, cognitive behavioral therapy, and systems or family therapy.

Graduate education in psychology began adding psychotherapy to the science and research focus based on the 1947 scientist-practitioner model, known today as the Boulder Model, for PhD programs in clinical psychology.

Since the 1970s, clinical psychology has continued growing into a robust profession and academic field of study.

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Clinical psychology psychologists continue to be experts in assessment and psychotherapy while expanding their focus to address issues of gerontology, sports, and the criminal justice system to name a few.

Practice of clinical psychology requires a license in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and many other countries.

Clinical psychology psychologists require the Psychologist license to practice, although licenses can be obtained with a masters-level degree, such as Marriage and Family Therapist, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), and Licensed Psychological Associate (LPA).

Clinical psychology psychologists do not tend to diagnose, but rather use formulation—an individualized map of the difficulties that the patient or client faces, encompassing predisposing, precipitating and perpetuating factors.

The British Psychological Society Division of Clinical Psychology has been vocal about the need to follow the evidence base rather than being wedded to a single model of therapy.

Community psychology approaches are often used for psychological prevention of harm and clinical intervention.

Clinical psychology psychologists are beginning to look at the various strengths and weaknesses of each orientation while working with related fields, such as neuroscience, behavioural genetics, evolutionary biology, and psychopharmacology.

Clinical psychology psychologists generally do not prescribe medication, although there is a movement for psychologists to have prescribing privileges.

Clinical psychology is a diverse field and there have been recurring tensions over the degree to which clinical practice should be limited to treatments supported by empirical research.