Clinical Psychology

The Nature and History of Clinical Psychology

 Definition
• Accordingbto witmer first used the term clinical psychology
• Clinical psychology considering each individual need and status with
scientific methodology of observation and experiment .
• Clinical psychology serve as a teacher pedagogical, means education to
help people develop their capabilities
 American psychological association 1935

• Clinical psychology is a form of applied psychology which aims to define

the behavioral capacities and behavior characteristics of an individual
through methods of measurement , analysis , and observation and which ,
on the basis of an integration of these findings with the data received from
the physical examination and social histories, gives suggestion and
recommendation for the proper adjustment of the individual
 Roles of the clinical psychologist
• Therapy and behavior modification
• Psychological testing /Assessment
• Teaching
• Supervision
• Consultation
• Administration
• Research
 Setting for the clinical psychologist
• Community mental health centers
• Research
• Inpatient hospitalization
• Outpatient services
• Partial hospitalization
• Emergency services
• Consultation and community education
• Services for children /elderly
• Screening services
• Follow up care
• Transitional service
• Alcoholism services
• Drug addiction services
• Government and industry
• Mental hospitals
• Private practices
• Universities and colleges
• School system
• Prisons, courts and police department
• General medical hospital
 Evolution of clinical psychology
• Antecedents
• Metaphysics in philosophy
• Empiricism in philosophy
• Descriptive research in science
• Experimental research in science
• Profession and professionalism
• Social reforms
• Evolution of research in clinical psychology
• Research on clinical intervention
• Evolution of clinical psychology as a profession
• Clinical psychology; A scientist professional – integration