Few Pointers on clinical Psychology-FOCUS- Awareness

1. Clinical Psychology (CP)is a proven, evidence based, scientific approach to handling mental health concerns.

2. Having undergone a good training program ensures quality service.

3. ‘Quack’ psychologists exist like ‘quack’ healers, due to the above mentioned issues. It’s up to you- the general public to decide whether you prefer to be fooled by their words of comfort (which is the only thing they are truly adept at)and constantly run around in circles from one to another and in the end blame the entire field as ‘quack’. Or you can face the truth and go to the right practitioner.

4. Who is the right Practitioner? (Only wrt to clinical psychology)

Ans: A clinical psychologist would have undergone rigorous training especially in clinical settings.

• What they do?-

• Clinical psychologists assess (via the use of standardized tests), diagnose, predict, prevent and treat psychopathology, mental disorders and other individual or group problems with a focus to reduce symptoms, improve behaviors, modify them and/ or for personal growth.

• They mostly adopt a biopsychosocial perspective- sit-ing the importance of the interactions between physical (brain, genes etc), psychological (personality, individual experiences) and social (culture, support, family influences etc) factors.

• They have an educational background of bachelors, masters’ degree and an Mphil degree that specializes particularly in clinical psychology (wrt India). Some may also go on to acquire a PHD as part of further specialization in a particular therapy or population, or to pursue an academic/ research oriented career.

• There are 54 divisions of psychology recognized by the American Psychologist Association (APA). (http://www.apa.org/about/division/?__utma=267309150.521399718.1403072849.1403072849.1403072849.1&__utmb=267309150.2.10.1403072849&__utmc=267309150&__utmx=-&__utmz=267309150.1403072849.1.1.utmcsr=(direct)|utmccn=(direct)|utmcmd=(none)&__utmv=-&__utmk=70874003) (There aren’t strict standards for the same in our country, hence the reference).

• Not ALL OF THEM ARE PRACTICE ORIENTED and INTENDED AS TREATMENT BASED approaches to mental health concerns!

• In simple terms the method of treatment is ‘talk therapy’ it’s clichéd but there is much more to ‘talk therapy’ than what people think. ‘Talk therapy’ includes the use of specific techniques that help in the modification of the behavior in question be it thought, emotion or actual behavior. Only a skilled clinician knows when, where, how and with whom should a particular technique be used. This also clarifies yet another thing- A CLINICAL or any OTHER PSYCHOLOGIST DO NOT PRESCRIBE DRUGS as part of treatment. Their expertise here ends at the level of assessing a need for the same, psychoeducation and reviewing symptoms, side effects, and usage. For prescription you need to consult a PSYCHIATRIST who is a medical doctor (with an MBBS degree, and later pursued a Masters (MD) or diploma (DPM) program in PSYCHIATRY).

5. What is the difference between a clinical psychologist and a therapist or a counselor or a counseling psychologist?

• Clinical psychologists have extensive training in assessing a wide range of psychological difficulties via the use of specific tests and interviews techniques and also are trained in providing more than one type of therapy. (Yes there are different types of therapy!)

• Therapists and counselors, on the other hand, usually specialize in providing one particular type of therapy, like counseling, or cognitive behavior therapy. If you already know what form of therapy would most likely help you, you might go directly to see a therapist or a counselor.

• Clinical psychologists tend to work with more seriously disturbed populations and are more likely trained in intelligence, personality and projective assessment, whereas counseling psychology graduates work with healthier, less pathological populations and conduct more career and vocational assessment (Brems & Johnson, 1997; Fitzgerald & Osipow, 1986; Watkins, Lopez, Campbell, & Himmell, 1986). Also due to the same reasons counseling psychologists are more frequently employed in university counseling centers, whereas clinicians are more frequently employed in hospital settings (Gaddy, Charlot-Swilley, Nelson, & Reich, 1995; Watkins, Lopez, Campbell, & Himmell, 1986).

TAKE AWAY MESSAGE TO CLIENTS-

My advise; simple -check credentials, set apart the first few sessions to estimate how professional they are indeed- do they discuss the diagnosis, treatment plan, confidentiality clauses, sessions fee, required number of sessions/time, prognosis( the chances of improvement) etc. A good psychologist wouldn’t make tall claims like for eg. They can cure mental retardation or autism! They would discuss facts and would partake with you involving you as a co therapist in the treatment process (if not explain why).

These are but a few pointers, I have tried to make it as simple to the best of my ability. Pardon the errors if any. They are only human.

#Clinicalpsychologists #ClinicalPsychology