The Clinical Psychology Field...
Clinical psychology is a field that attracts brilliant and highly talented individuals, individuals who have devoted their lives to understanding the brain’s complexity, to developing abstract and detailed theories on how thoughts affect emotions and behaviors, and how to apply those theories so that others benefit.
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Stated simply, the overall goal of clinical psychology professionals is to help others. They desire to make lives more enjoyable by applying diverse forms of therapy, assessing and diagnosing clients in order to develop the most appropriate therapeutic interventions, techniques, and other diverse forms of therapy.
As an individual researching the topic, you should be aware of the many areas and types of people who thrive within the field of clinical psychology. If you have ever taken a career compatibility test before and believe hard work to be one of your attributes, you were likely to find at least one aspect of clinical psychology to fit your career profile.
A diversified field
The field is incredibly broad, and has, in many ways, become its own industry, creating its own economy through the creation of many psychology-based occupations serving clinical psychologists. For example, research departments within corporations, nonprofits, the government and nonprofit organizations have developed across the country. These research-based departments employ clinical psychology professional who enjoy “think tank” style work environments, environments that encourage professionals to investigate and study, empirically and qualitatively, the type of psychological theories that lead to more effective forms of psychotherapeutic applications.
For those with a passion to share their research with others desiring to learn and expand the field, almost all universities and colleges employ clinical psychology professionals. Many of these positions, especially those hiring those with doctorate degrees, combine research and teaching, and some also permit clinical psychologists to continue in private practice as well.
Two models of practice
Universities and colleges train students in one of two models of clinical psychology practice:
- The scientist-practitioner model, also called the Boulder model, emphasizes ongoing scientific research, and clinicians applying results from that research to solving clients’ psychological problems. Clinical psychology students studying this model and working toward a doctorate typically receive a PhD.
- The practitioner-scholar model, also called the Vail model, emphasizes preparing students first as practitioners, assessing clients and using the correct psychotherapeutic framework and techniques in private practice, and secondly, working as scientists. Clinical psychology students studying this model and working toward a doctorate typically receive a Psy.D.
Four psychological models
Clinical psychology professionals select one psychological framework as their basis for treatment and research, or they integrate their approach by combining one or more of the following major theories:
- Psychodynamic: A modernized type of psychoanalytic or Freudian approach. Through talk therapy, the clinical psychologist explores an individual’s unconscious thoughts. The relationship between the therapist and patient is considered critical for healing.
- Humanistic: A person-centered, holistic approach that emphasizes a client’s emotions and self-perceptions. Many orientations of humanistic psychology seek to focus on the healthy aspects of a client’s life, rather than the pathological, helping the client self-actualize, and build a stronger, healthier “sense of self.” Humanistic orientations include: Gestalt therapy, depth therapies, encounter groups, existential therapy, and transpersonal therapy, among others.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (the most common): A solution-focused approach that relieves symptoms by focusing on thoughts or cognitions that lead to misguided behaviors. In this area, psychologists uncover links between mental distress and a particular thought process, or between a thought process and maladaptive behavior. Brief, focused techniques are used to change thoughts and behaviors, such as relaxation, distraction, exercise, and many other types of interventions. (see Cognitive Behavioral Therapy).
- Systems or Family Therapy: A couples, group, or family-focused approach that seeks to restore harmony and balance in relationships affected by a number of psychosocial issues. Clinical psychologists treat the entire unit as a system, rather than treat only one individual. Professionals working within this psychological framework require mediation techniques in addition to the vast amount of clinical psychology education necessary to positively identify problems and solutions to couple, family or group issues. (see Family Systems Therapy).
For more information about the possibilities for employment within the field of clinical psychology, the difference between a Psy.D or Ph.D, or other positions within the field, contact schools offering master’s degree programs in clinical psychology or doctorate programs in clinical psychology.
If you are not sure if clinical psychology is the right path for you, explore additional educational options available in different programs offered by the following psychology schools.