Psychology vs. Psychiatry What’s the difference?

Clinical Psychology…. …is not limited to therapy and assessment Focus of this course: Review of assessment Review of therapies Review of additional roles in clinical psychology

What is Clinical Psychology? Definition of clinical psychology The field of Clinical Psychology integrates science, theory, and practice to understand, predict, and alleviate maladjustment, and personal development. Clinical Psychology focuses on the intellectual, emotional, biological, psychological, social, and behavioral aspects of human functioning across the lifespan, in varying cultures, and at all economic levels.

What is Clinical Psychology? General Characteristics Activities and Work Settings of Clinical Psychologists Distinguishing Clinical Psychology from Related Professions

Clinical Psychology: General Characteristics Emphasizes: Science Maladjustment Individual

Emphasis on Science Clinical psychology, as a subdiscipline within the science psychology, adheres to two important assumptions of science: Determinism-events have determinable causes Empiricism-events must be observable and measurable

Emphasis on Maladjustment The concern is with the scientific understanding of abnormal behavior and emotional suffering

Emphasis on the Individual Clinical psychology uses research information gathered in groups of people to guide their work with individiuals

Emphasis on Helping Clinical psychologists help people in psychological distress Historically, helping was not the first emphasis of clinical psychology. Any guesses about the first emphasis of clinical psychology?

Activities and Work Settings Of Clinical Psychologists Research Teaching Psychotherapy Assessment Consultation Administration

Distinguishing Clinical Psychology from Related Professions Training of a Clinical Psychologist Undergraduate (typical): focus on psychology 4 (or more) years of graduate course work Masters’ thesis or equivalent Practicum training Qualifying exam Dissertation Internship (typically one year) State Licensing exam

Distinguishing Clinical Psychology from Related Professions Psychiatry Undergraduate: focus on biology or chemistry Medical school (one year) Internship (one year) Residency, specialty in psychiatry (three years) Board exams

Distinguishing Clinical Psychology from Related Professions Last step in training in Clinical Psychology Defend the dissertation Last step in training in becoming a physician Take the Hippocratic oath

Clinical Psychology vs. Psychiatry Clinical Psychologists… Learn to think as researchers To evaluate findings To defend their views by citing data Psychiatrists…. Learn facts and use this knowledge to understand and treat patients

Overlap of Clinical Psychology and Psychiatry Both… Diagnose Treat using therapy (although training in psychotherapy is more heavily emphasized for clinical psychologists)

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

Distinguishing Clinical Psychology from Related Professions School Psychology Typically have a masters level of training Typically work in school settings Significant emphasis on testing/assessment Consultation with schools to improve learning environments

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

Summary: What is Clinical Psychology The field of Clinical Psychology integrates science, theory, and practice to understand, predict, and lessen instability, and personal development.