Clinical Psychology

Clinical psychology will be examined with discussion on the history and evolution of clinical psychology.  The role of research and statistics in clinical psychology will be explained.  The difference between clinical psychology, social work, psychiatry, and school psychology will be examined. 

History and Evolution of Clinical Psychology

Before clinical psychology became a term there were people and events that set the stage for clinical psychology to become a profession.  The Greeks believed that illnesses were related to the gods.  Sigmund Freud developed the connection between body and mind, and the diseases could be brought about by emotional and unconscious influences.  “As more and more scientific discoveries were revealed, theories about the relative importance of biological, psychological, and social factors in behavior and emotions were altered to accommodate the most up-to-date discoveries and thinking.” (Plante, 2011, p. 45).  Clinical psychology was born in 1896 as a specialty with the first ever psychological clinic.  This clinic was located at the University of Pennsylvania and opened by Lightner Witner.  In 1908 the Binet-Simon scale was created by Alfred Binet and Theodore Simon for teachers and schools to assess and identify children with learning disabilities. 

Sigmund Freud had little influence on clinical psychology until his visit to a conference in the United States in 1909.  The conference influenced children’s psychological clinics in the US to adopt Sigmund’s psychoanalytic theories.  In 1917 clinical psychology was implemented into the U.S. Army with the use of verbal and nonverbal intelligence testing.  The military’s use of psychological testing increased the popularity of clinical psychology.  After World War I there was an explosion of psychological tests, making over 500 accessible in the United States by 1940 (Plante, 2011).  Hermann Rorschach developed the now-famous Psychodiagnostik inkblot test in 1921. 

Although the APA did nothing to enforce it, in 1935 the APA Committee on Standards and Training in Clinical Psychology did recommend a PhD as well as one year of internship be required of clinical psychologists (Plante, 2011).  In 1973 the new Vail model was accepted as a new training model, which was an addition to the already practiced Boulder model.  The PsyD was also accepted as an alternative to the PhD degree for practicing clinical psychology.    A major shift in clinical psychology occurred when a major lawsuit in the late 1980s allowed psychologists to perform psychoanalysis on his or her patients.  This testing led to more widespread consultation and therapy among clinical psychologists.  After more than 40,000 men were hospitalized following World War II there was an increase in clinical psychologists and their services. The VA then employed around 4,700 clinical psychologists in 1947. 

Research and Statistics in Clinical Psychology

Research is the core of clinical psychology, and without it clinical psychology would not have progressed like it has.  The scientific method is widely used by clinical psychologist to conduct research.  “The scientific method is a set of rules and procedures that describe, explain, and predict a particular phenomenon” (Plante, 2011, p. 74).  The phenomenon is first observed by the psychologist or group of psychologists.  Then a hypothesis is formed predicting the believed outcome.  The hypothesis is tested, then altered based on the findings of the testing, and then interpreted.  The DSM-IV-TR is a highly used tool published by the APA.  It is a manual of syndromes with specific diagnostic criteria for the syndromes (Plante, 2011).  This manual is used in research to make sure that all criteria match the specifications in the DSM, for best results.  Once a hypothesis is valid is can be used to explain behavior and predict future behavior. 

“All sciences demand results and are aimed at seeking empirical evidence which is favourable toward the hypothesis formulated, in such a way that they ensure predictable results.  Thus, psychological research seeks to obtain empirical evidence which will allow the hypothesis derived from the different theories postulated to be contrasted.  In order to achieve this aim, some good research designs and appropriate statistical methods must be established” (Sesé & Palmer, 2012, p. 97-98).

Statistics also play a key role in clinical psychology.  Statistics are used to support research hypotheses and their findings.  “Statistical significance refers to the very small probability of obtaining a particular finding by error or chance” (Plante, 2011, p. 96).  Statistics are used within the scientific method to help research psychologists to form their hypothesis, but more importantly statistics allow the research to be used in a broader term. Information can be taken from one experiment and, if it is valid, can be incorporated into other experiments.  Statistics also allow for information to be shared with others easily and legibly. 

Clinical Psychology and Other Mental Health Professions

Clinical psychology differs from other mental health professions.  At its core clinical psychology deals with the assessment and treatment of mental disabilities and illnesses.  Other disciplines may touch on the subject, but encompass an array of other topics that do not include mental illness.  “Social work practice is carried out in public, nonprofit, and for profit agencies and includes direct services to individuals, families, groups, and communities, as well as supervision, management, and policy analysis” (Gambrill, 2006, p. 4).  While psychiatrists do have extensive training in mental illness they focus more on behavioral aspects than clinical psychologists do.  Psychiatrists also specialize in medicine for mental and behavioral problems.  School psychology focuses on children and his or her mental abilities pertaining to achievement and interests.  If a student is having a issues with mental illness it is likely that the child would be referred to a clinical psychologist.  The school psychologist would be able to counsel the child, but would be limited in his or her ability to assess and treat the child for non-school related issues.

Conclusion

Clinical psychology has an extensive history and evolution dating back to its birth in 1896.  Other events took place before then leading to the term “clinical psychology” being coined.  Lightner Witner, Hermann Rorschach, Sigmund Freud, Alfred Binet, and Theodore Simon are just a few men who have greatly impacted the evolution of clinical psychology.  Research and statistics are the backbone of clinical psychology and its ever-evolving history.  Although other mental health professions may encompass parts of clinical psychology, it is the only field to deal with only mental disability and illness.  Clinical psychology has greatly improved the information that is now available to mental health professions. 

References

Gambrill, Eileen D.. (2006). Social Work Practice: A Critical Thinker's Guide. Oxford University Press, USA. Retrieved 5 May 2014, from <http://www.myilibrary.com?ID=65551>

Plante, T. G. (2011). Contemporary clinical psychology (3rd ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.

Sesé, A., & Palmer, A. (2012). The current use of statistics in clinical and health psychology under review. Clinica y Salud, 23(1), 97-108. doi: 10.5093/cl2012v23n1a2