Clinical Psychology

Clinical psychology is the psychological specialty that provides continuing and comprehensive mental and behavioral health care for individuals and families; consultation to agencies and communities; training, education and supervision; and research-based practice. It is a specialty in breadth — one that is broadly inclusive of severe psychopathology — and marked by comprehensiveness and integration of knowledge and skill from a broad array of disciplines within and outside of psychology proper. The scope of clinical psychology encompasses all ages, multiple diversities and varied systems.

• Understanding of psychopathology and diagnostic/intervention considerations.
• Mental health issues across the lifespan based on a solid understanding of psychopathology.
• Assessment: ability to integrate and synthesize personality test data with additional standardized assessment measures.
• Consultation: ability to consult with other health and behavioral health care professionals and organizations regarding severe psychopathology, suicide and violence.
• Research Base: engagement with specific research and critical review of science, knowledge and methods pertaining to those areas identified as distinct to clinical psychology.

Populations

Clinical psychology as a specialty provides services to individuals and families across the lifespan and from all ethnic, cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds, as well as groups and communities.

Problems/Issues

The specialty of clinical psychology addresses behavioral and mental health issues faced by individuals across the lifespan including:

• Intellectual, emotional, psychological, social and behavioral maladjustment.
• Disability and discomfort.
• Minor adjustment issues as well as severe psychopathology.

Procedures

• Assessment: diagnostic interviewing, behavioral assessment, administration and interpretation of psychological test measures
• Intervention (primary, secondary and tertiary levels): clinical services to individuals, families and groups
• Consultation: inter- and intra-professional practice with other health and behavioral health professionals and organizations
• Research: engagement with specific research and critical review of science, knowledge and methods pertaining to clinical psychology.