Everyone has days when they don’t feel like themselves. This is considered normal since these feelings do not last long and usually disappear by themselves. However, this is not the case for everybody. For some, these feelings are persistent and could easily be an indicator of a major mental problem. Clinical psychology is a wide branch of psychology that focuses on diagnosing, treating and managing mental, behavioral and emotional problems. These include substance abuse, learning difficulties, anxiety, depression, as well as eating disorders.
History of Clinical Psychology
The field of psychology has been in existence since the 19th century. However, clinical psychology only became popular towards the end of the 19th century. It is during this time that Lightener Whitmer helped cure a boy who had learning disabilities. In the year 1986, Leitner opened the first ever psychology clinic which targeted children with learning disabilities. His ideas were thought to be slow to catch on but that didn’t deter him from pushing forth with them. Today, Weitmer is credited as one of the founding fathers of clinical psychology.
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What are the Educational Requirements of Being a Clinical Psychologist?
Anyone who wishes to become a clinical psychologist must first acquire a bachelor’s degree in any clinical psychology program. This is a basic requirement for those who wish to qualify for graduate programs. However, most clinical psychologists have a doctorate in clinical psychology. Those with Masters degrees in psychology stand a chance at getting jobs too.
What Does a Clinical Psychologist Do?
Clinical psychologists take on diverse tasks in this field. They work with individuals, both kids and adult, who have been diagnosed with ADD and Asperger’s Syndrome. Some choose to specialize in;
Chronic illnesses for instance; obesity and diabetes
Mental illnesses, for instance, anxiety and depression
Psychological problems, for instance, schizophrenia and bipolar
In a school setting, clinical psychologists can help students who have learning disabilities. At university, these professionals can help students to make career choices and also sustain emotional health for better academic performances. Community-based clinical psychologists actively help economically disadvantaged and culturally diverse populations.
