Clinical psychologists work to improve psychological health in individuals, families, groups, and organizations through research, teaching, and supervision, program development and evaluation, consultation, public policy, professional practice, and other activities. Clinical psychologists work with individuals at all developmental levels (infants to older adults) as well as groups (families, patients with similar psychopathologies, and organizations) to promote mental health and alleviate discomfort and maladjustment using a variety of assessment and intervention methods.
This task can range from avoiding and treating immediate small adjustment issues to managing with the adjustment and maladjustment of individuals who require institutionalization. Individual practice, mental health service units, managed health care organizations, counseling centres, and various departments in hospitals, schools, universities, industry, legal systems, medical systems, and government agencies are examples of work settings.
Some of the professional activities of a clinical psychologist are explained below-
Research
All clinical psychology activities rest on the foundation of research. All professional activities are guided and supported by research conducted by psychologists or others in the behavioral sciences. Research programs assist in determining which assessment or treatment approach is most effective for a specific clinical problem, such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, or substance abuse.
Clinical psychology research covers a wide range of biological, psychological, and social aspects of human behavior, from neuroimaging techniques to ethnic factors in hypertension to spiritual aspects of love and intimacy. Projects may aid in identifying those who are at risk of developing certain psychological issues. Other projects may look into methods for determining clinical diagnoses more accurately.
Faculty members at colleges, universities and medical schools make up the majority of psychologists who are actively engaged in research. They can conduct research in a variety of subject areas, publish their findings in professional journals, and present their findings at national and regional professional conferences, just like faculty in other academic disciplines.
Psychologists who do not work as academic faculty at colleges or universities may conduct research in hospitals, clinics, government agencies (for example, the National Institute of Mental Health), industry (for example, pharma companies, psychological testing services, improving healthcare insurance providers), or private healthcare facilities.
Although not all clinical psychologists conduct and publish their own research, they are all expected to consume research on a regular basis in order to inform their professional activities. Clinical psychologists must be aware of other people’s research findings in order to improve their own clinical practice. Many people read professional journals on a regular basis that cover topics of interest.
Assessment
Many clinical psychologists employ psychological tests and techniques to assess or diagnose various psychiatric and nonpsychiatric difficulties (e.g., depression, psychosis, personality disorders, dementia) (e.g., relationship conflicts, learning differences, educational potential, career interests, and skills).
Clinical psychologists analyze not only individuals’ intellectual, educational, personality, and neuropsychological functioning, but also groups of people (such as families) and even organizations.
Cognitive, personality, behavioral, neuropsychological, and observational measures are among the many components of psychological assessment.
A neuropsychologist, for example, might be called in to assess an adolescent boy for temporal lobe epilepsy, which can cause impulsive behavior and aggression.
The findings will be supplemented by neuroimaging techniques performed by a physician, as well as a developmental history, to rule out personality or environmental factors such as trauma as causal in the disorder’s behavioral manifestations.
As a result, while focusing on neuropsychological measures, the psychologist must be aware of medical, psychological, and social factors that may contribute to or explain “seizure-like” symptomatology.
Patients’ biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors should all be considered when assessing and interpreting their data.
Treatment
Individuals, couples, families, and groups can all benefit from psychotherapy, which can address a wide range of issues.
Individuals may seek psychological help for a variety of reasons, including anxiety, phobias, depression, shyness, physical illness, loss, trauma, drug addiction, eating disorders, sexuality concerns, hallucinations, relationship problems, and work difficulties.
It is becoming increasingly important for psychologists to become educated and sensitive to cultural factors when treating clients, as well as the full range of individual differences (e.g., sexual preference, religious faith, disabilities, and economic status) that make up today’s society.
Psychodynamic, cognitive behavioral, humanistic/ existential, and family systems are the major theoretical schools of thought in psychology.
The majority of psychologists use an eclectic treatment approach, which entails incorporating a wide range of perspectives and clinical approaches into their work (Norcross, Karg, & Prochaska, 1997; Weston, 2000). Others are experts in psychoanalysis, family therapy, or hypnosis, among other treatments.
Teaching
In educational settings, clinical psychologists are frequently employed. Undergraduates, graduate students, and/or postgraduate students are taught by these professionals. Others may work part-time as adjunct professors or lecturers at local colleges and universities.
Others may instruct graduate students, interns, or postdoctoral fellows by providing one-on-one clinical supervision. Teaching can take place in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and businesses.
Attorneys, business executives, nurses, clergy, police officers, and others, for example, might benefit from a stress management course offered by a clinical psychologist.
A psychologist could also give a workshop on intimate relationships to young couples who are planning to marry.
A psychologist may instruct other professionals, such as doctors or clergy, on how to better maintain professional boundaries and recognize psychopathology in those they counsel. There are numerous examples and opportunities for psychologists to teach in a variety of professional settings, just as there are in psychological treatment facilities.
Consultation
Many clinical psychologists consult with churches, health-care professionals, businesspeople, schools, legislators, organizations, and even other mental-health specialists. An informal talk, a brief report, or a more continuing and official consultation arrangement are all examples of consultation.
Companies could contact a psychologist to help prevent colleague conflicts or give stress management measures for high-stress employees like corporate executives, firefighters, police officers, or prison guards, for example.
A consultation could entail assisting a physician in better managing a patient’s unwillingness to comply with unpleasant medical procedures.
Working with a religious superior to help better select applicants for religious orders is one example of consultation. Working with law enforcement professionals on violence prevention or screening applications for the police academy are examples of consultation. Assessment, teaching, research, and brief psychotherapy activities may all be included in a consultation.
Administration
Administrative responsibilities may include serving as chairperson of a psychology department, or as dean, provost, or even president of a college or university. Other psychologists may work as administrators in hospitals, mental health clinics, or other organizations. They may serve as a unit chief in charge of a psychiatric hospital unit or ward, or they may direct mental health services for a community mental health clinic.
In a variety of clinical settings, they may act as training directors. These psychologists typically organize a budget, supervise multidisciplinary professionals and support employees, make recruiting and terminating decisions, and create guidelines and standards for clinical or research activities.
References-
Schmidt, S., & Power, M. (2005). Clinical Psychology. Science Direct. Published.
