| Approximately 91% of those employed in the clinical | | | | Psychology experts believe that we interpret the |
| psychology field engage in psychological assessments | | | | world through schemas (set patterns of thinking and |
| aimed at diagnosis and treatment. Tests may include | | | | categorizing information) that sometimes results in |
| intelligence/achievement tests like IQ tests or WISC-IV | | | | behavioral problems. To uncover irrational thinking, |
| tests, which measure knowledge, verbal skills, memory, | | | | professionals try desensitization, Socratic questioning, |
| reasoning, attention span and spatial perception. | | | | relational dialectics therapy or note taking. |
| Personality tests try to categorize behavioral and | | | | In systems or family therapy, psychology therapists |
| logical patterns. The MMPI, Rorschach Inkblot test or | | | | focus on the interaction of the family and their |
| the Myers-Briggs test all try to reveal the psychological | | | | interpersonal dynamics. Interventions include a spouse, |
| dynamics. Furthermore, neuropsychological tests | | | | parent, sibling or close friend. While some of the |
| examine structures and brain pathways in a more | | | | intervention involves a group discussion, homework |
| "scientific" manner. Clinical observation includes studying | | | | assignments are often given to help patients keep |
| a control group and a variable group for differences in | | | | working, thinking and assessing outside of their therapy |
| behavior, mood, perception, understanding, memory, | | | | sessions. |
| communication and affect. | | | | There are many areas of specialization within clinical |
| There are four main perspectives of clinical | | | | psychology, like: health, neuropsychology (focus: the |
| psychology: psychodynamic, humanistic, | | | | brain), geropsychology (focus: the elderly), counseling |
| cognitive-behavioral and systems/family therapy. First, | | | | and social behavior therapy. Neuropsychologists study |
| psychodynamic psychotherapy developed out of the | | | | things like the medical symptoms behind schizophrenia, |
| works of Sigmund Freud and sought to make the | | | | dementias or other mental disorders. No matter what |
| unconscious desires come to the surface, rather than | | | | form of psychology is focused upon, the main intent is |
| remain suppressed. Popular interventions include free | | | | to promote mental health, design new programs and |
| association and the examination of transference and | | | | help families deal with mental illness. |
| defenses. The history of mental illness is examined | | | | There has been some criticism in recent years that |
| through the exploration of childhood memories. | | | | clinical psychology is "too subjective" and difficult to |
| The humanistic perspective of psychology was based | | | | prove with empirical evidence. A major problem is that |
| around the work of Carol Rogers, Victor Frankl and | | | | health insurance companies refuse to cover therapy |
| Rollo May. Rogers argued that people needed | | | | costs, which limits many lower income individual's |
| congruence, unconditional positive regard and | | | | mental health treatment options. |
| empathetic understanding as mental health treatment. | | | | Since clinical psychologists receive less schooling than |
| The humanist perspective seeks to help the person | | | | psychiatrists, many medical doctors downplay the |
| towards self-actualization and connecting with their | | | | importance of therapy. However, one need only pick |
| natural born potential. | | | | up a journal of psychiatry to see that psychotherapy is |
| The cognitive behavioral perspective looks at the | | | | still a valid profession and one that can supplement |
| interaction between how we think, feel and act. | | | | medication for unbelievable results. |