Clinical Psychology
Clinical Psychology
Clinical Psychology (pronunciation: klin-i-kuhl psy-chol-o-gy) is a branch of Psychology that focuses on diagnosing and treating mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders.
Etymology
The term 'Clinical Psychology' is derived from the Greek word 'klinikos', which means 'bedside', and the word 'psychology', which is derived from the Greek words 'psyche' meaning 'soul' and 'logos' meaning 'study'. Thus, Clinical Psychology can be interpreted as the study of the mind and behavior at the bedside, indicating its focus on treatment and care.
Related Terms
- Psychotherapy: A general term for treating mental health problems by talking with a psychiatrist, psychologist or other mental health provider.
- Psychopathology: The scientific study of mental disorders, including efforts to understand their genetic, biological, psychological, and social causes.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: A type of psychotherapeutic treatment that helps patients understand the thoughts and feelings that influence behaviors.
- Psychopharmacology: The study of the use of medications in treating mental disorders.
- Mental Health: A person’s condition with regard to their psychological and emotional well-being.
Overview
Clinical Psychology is a broad field that involves the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental disorders. While the field of psychology is broad with many applications, clinical psychology is focused on the treatment of individuals with mental illnesses, including disorders such as depression, anxiety, and more severe conditions like schizophrenia.
Clinical psychologists often work in counseling centers, hospitals, private or group practices, and other types of health centers. They are trained in a variety of treatment techniques but may specialize in treating certain disorders or working with certain populations. For example, a clinical psychologist might specialize in the treatment of children, a certain category of mental disorders, or behavioral health.
Clinical psychologists use a variety of therapeutic techniques, depending on the needs of the patient. These can include psychotherapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, or a combination of therapies.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Clinical Psychology
- Wikipedia's article - Clinical Psychology
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