What is Clinical Psychology? Defining the approach What is Clinical Psychology?

What is clinical psychology? The study of mental health and mental health conditions/disorders Clinical psychology aims to diagnose, explain and treat mental health conditions/disorders

What do clinical psychologists do? reduce psychological distress and enhance and promote psychological well-being work with children and adults with mental and physical health problems, including anxiety, depression, relationship problems, addictions and relationships undertake clinical needs assessments using psychometric tests, interviews and direct observation of behaviour deliver and evaluate the effectiveness of therapy, counselling and/or advice.

Where do they work? largely in health and social care settings including Hospitals health centres community mental health teams child and adolescent mental health services social services

Who do they work with? part of a team with, for example, social workers, medical practitioners and other health professionals. Most work in the National Health Service, which has a clearly defined career structure, but some work in private practice. The work is often directly with people, either individually or in groups, assessing their needs and providing therapies based on psychological theories and research. Some clinical psychologists work as trainers, teachers and researchers in universities.