Clinical psychology - what it is, what it studies, main tasks, sections and main problems

Author: Elmira Davydova

A clinical psychologist is a person specializing in psychological diagnostics, counseling, and various types of psychotherapy. Studies mental phenomena and disorders through the prism of their relationship with various diseases. An applicant who loves biology, mathematics, and social studies can become a clinical psychologist. By the way, in 2021, the ProfGid career guidance center developed an accurate career guidance test. He himself will tell you which professions are suitable for you, and give an opinion about your personality type and intelligence.

Short description

Clinical psychology methods are used in classical medical practice. This area began to actively develop at the end of the 19th century and is closely related to psychiatry. There are several sections of clinical psychology: psychotherapy, neuropsychology, psychosomatics and others. Clinical psychologists have in-depth knowledge of anatomy and medicine. The direction is wide-ranging, because specialists are responsible for the harmonious development of the psyche, adaptation, psychological support and rehabilitation of patients.

general information

In the 90s, medical and clinical psychology meant the same thing. Today these are still two different disciplines. They should not be confused with psychiatry. They have similar tasks, but different treatment methods. Psychiatry is aimed at eliminating pathologies and defects that require hospitalization or inpatient treatment. These diseases are schizophrenia, manic-depressive psychosis, epilepsy. Clinical psychology studies the problems of maladaptation and borderline mental states, when a person is not yet pathologically ill, but is no longer normal.

The distinction between pathology and norm is a rather complex process. At the moment, the corresponding norms for age-related development are divided; each period has its own criteria for feeling the world and relating to it. The psychologist assesses how harmoniously developed a person is - how he gets along with himself and others, whether he knows how to be flexible, the ability to think objectively, resistance to stress, the ability to plan and adjust his daily routine, and observe a work and rest schedule. The norm is how a person copes with life’s difficulties, enters society, works productively, and how critically he thinks.

When diagnosing, a clinical psychologist and psychiatrist use their personal experience, adhere to the recommendations of general psychology, as well as information from the ICD and the Handbook of Mental Disorders.

The subject of clinical psychology can be:

• Preparation and implementation of psychotherapy methods.
• Disturbances in mental development.
• The emergence of destructive changes in the psyche.
• The use of psychological techniques to influence the patient’s consciousness for the purpose of treatment and as prevention.
• Organizing research using specific tools and defining principles for this, methodology.
• Finding out how various disorders affect the patient’s psyche.
• The role of the psyche in the emergence, progression and prevention of disorders.

So, clinical psychology is a discipline that involves assessing mental health, planning and conducting research in the scientific field to diagnose and identify mental problems.

Psychologists develop and conduct psychocorrection and psychotherapy. They also explore issues of general psychology, compare normality and pathology, study the boundaries of the normal, determine how the social and biological relate in a person, and try to resolve the problem of mental decay.

Features of the profession

Clinical psychologists most often interact with people who experience difficulties in issues related to adaptation, self-realization, and personality development. These processes depend on the social, spiritual and physical state of the patient. Clinical psychologists use the following methods:

• conversations, observation;
• psychophysical, anamnestic, biographical, experimental and psychological methods;
• studying the products of activity and creativity.

A clinical psychologist at a university studies a whole range of natural science disciplines, as well as the anatomy of the central nervous system, neuropsychology and neurophysiology, psychodiagnostics, etc. Certified specialists perform the following types of work:

• collecting anamnesis, performing psychodiagnostics;
• development of measures aimed at correcting the patient’s psycho-emotional state;
• providing assistance in self-identification, social adaptation, and establishing family relationships;
• preparing a drug treatment regimen if necessary;
• conducting a psychological examination;
• social activities within the framework of assistance to vulnerable segments of the population: children, disabled people, etc.;
• drawing up conclusions based on the results of the work performed.

They work with different groups of people. They provide assistance to patients who have suffered psychological trauma, suffer from acquired or congenital diseases, and feel the need for social adaptation, for example, after serving a sentence in prison. Please note that clinical psychologists do not work with severe mental conditions: schizophrenia, bipolar affective disorder and others.

Branches of clinical psychology

1. Psychosomatics. Aimed at identifying the patient’s somatic and psychosomatic problems and their origin. The section studies the relationship between such complex diseases as cancer and the mental factors that provoke them. A psychologist helps prepare the patient for difficult information about the diagnosis, accompanies him throughout the illness, prepares him for surgery, helps with rehabilitation, and so on. In addition, this section is devoted to the disorder - acute chronic mental trauma, which can lead to ischemia, peptic ulcers, hypertension, neurodermatitis, psoriasis, and bronchial asthma.
2. Psychotherapy is a basic method for psychocorrection. Represents a set of methods and techniques that are used by a psychologist in therapy and in carrying out a number of changes relating to the psycho-emotional sphere of the patient, as well as his behavior and communication skills. Corrective measures are aimed at improving mood, well-being, and adaptive capabilities for development in society. Psychotherapy takes place both in a group and individually.

3. Neuropsychology is a large separate discipline in science that studies the brain and central nervous system and their role in human mental processes. Includes psychiatry, neuroscience, and philosophical issues in achieving an understanding of how the human mind functions. Studies artificial neural networks, cognitive science. In Soviet psychology, experts considered the issues of cause-and-effect relationships of brain damage, localization of the disorder and changes in the psyche occurring at this time. Neuropsychologists studied such transformations in the functional characteristics of the psyche arising from brain injuries, investigated the location of the leading center of diseases and developed methods of rehabilitation, treatment, as well as the theory and methodology of the foundations for general and clinical psychology.
4. Psychocorrection is the basis for psychotherapy. It is aimed at directly providing assistance to the patient. Forms not only a psychotherapeutic program, but also subsequent rehabilitation as a systemic medical and psychological activity. Psychocorrection allows you to restore your social status and return to society as a full-fledged member of it, thanks to a combination of pedagogical, medical, psychological and social procedures and activities. This includes mental hygiene, which studies the preservation and support of mental health, and psychological prevention - a set of measures that prevent the occurrence of a mental disorder.

5. Pathopsychology. He studies issues of mental disorders, disorders, violations of the objectivity of perception of the surrounding world, occurring due to destructive processes in the central nervous system. This section explores the patterns of dysfunction of mental processes in various psychopathologies in connection with the factors that contribute to their appearance, and also allows us to find effective methods of correction.

Pros and cons of the profession

pros

1. Clinical psychology is a popular field; patients of any age are interested in the services of these specialists.
2. A huge selection of forms of professional activity: private practice, corporate or scientific work, webinars, etc.
3. High level of income, which directly depends on the activity and professionalism of the clinical psychologist.
4. The profession is suitable for people with disabilities (impaired function of the upper and lower extremities), because services can be provided in the format of Skype conferences.

Methods

A clinical psychologist uses various methods and techniques for an objective and differentiated assessment of the client’s condition. Diagnostics helps a specialist to competently consider the variant of normal and pathological conditions for an individual person. He chooses one or another technique depending on each individual patient, signs of his mental disorder, level of education, and degree of mental development.

• The following methods are distinguished: Research of creativity;
• Experimental methods of psychology - standardized and original;
• Observation;
• Anamnestic method of collecting information about past diseases, past complications, causes of the current disorder;
• Conversation and survey;
• Biographical;
• Psychophysiological – EEG, for example.

Training to become a clinical psychologist

The profession cannot be mastered in courses or in college, so the path of an applicant who decides to study this branch of psychology lies in a university. It is worth making a choice in favor of the specialty “Clinical Psychology” (code: 05.37.01). To enter, you must pass the Unified State Exam in the following subjects:

• biology – specialized exam;
• Russian language – compulsory exam;
• social studies, mathematics, foreign language - at the choice of the university.

The area of ​​training has many profiles: “Pathopsychological diagnosis and psychotherapy”, “Clinical and social rehabilitation and penitentiary psychology” and others. The duration of training is 5 years; the profession does not require further residency training. Documents can be submitted to medical or multidisciplinary universities that offer the program in question.

Courses

URGAPS (Remotely)

Get a diploma as a clinical psychologist at the Ural Institute of Advanced Training and Retraining. Its advantages: 1. Completely distance learning format. 2. Interest-free installments. 3. Lifetime access to educational materials. 4. Attractive prices. 5. More than 155 expert practitioners, more than 50 of them are candidates of science and associate professors.

IPO

Russian Institute of Vocational Education, NANO "IPO" - is recruiting students to receive specialties: "Clinical Psychology" under a distance program of professional retraining and advanced training from 9,900 rubles. Studying at the IPO is a convenient and quick way to receive distance education. 2000+ training courses. 15,000+ graduates from 200+ cities. Short deadlines for completing documents and external training, interest-free installments from the institute and individual discounts. Contact us!

VGAPS (Remotely)

The Volgograd Humanitarian Academy for Professional Training of Social Sector Specialists invites you to study in the field of Clinical Psychology. Gain professional knowledge remotely, with practice and feedback from experts. Discounts up to 60%. Installment plan 0%.

Universities

Nizhny Novgorod State University named after. N.I. Lobachevsky

Clinical Psychology (Faculty of Social Sciences UNN)

Samara State Medical University

Clinical psychology (Institute of Social, Humanitarian and Digital Development of Medicine SamSMU)

Moscow State University named after M.V. Lomonosov

Clinical psychology (Faculty of Psychology, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University)

St. Petersburg State University

Clinical psychology (Faculty of Psychology, St. Petersburg State University)

St. Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University

Clinical psychology (Faculty of Clinical Psychology, St. Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University)

History of appearance

Clinical psychology began to develop at the turn of the 19th century by French researchers and Russian psychiatrists. Among the French we can single out J.-M. Charcot, R. Ribot, P. Janet, I. Taine. Russian scientists include V. M. Bekhterev, S. S. Korsakov, V. Kh. Kandinsky, I. A. Sikorsky and other prominent psychiatrists of those years.

Thus, V. M. Bekhterev founded the first psychological laboratory in Russia in 1885. It is on the basis of the Psychoneurological Institute named after. A large number of studies have been carried out on Bekhterev.

I. P. Pavlov, V. P. Osipov, V. N. Myasishchev, G. N. Vyrubov influenced the direct development of Russian clinical psychology. A special role in psychology in general was played by L. S. Vygotsky, and then his ideas were supported and continued by A. R. Luria, P. Ya. Galperin, A. N. Leontyev and others.

During the Second World War, all famous psychologists, the best of them, were sent to military hospitals and learned the basics of medical psychology in practice. Among them were B.G. Ananyev, S.L. Rubinstein, A.N. Leontyev, A.V. Zaporozhets, B.V. Zeigarnik. This entire galaxy of scientific minds helped soldiers cope with injuries, stress, and survive brain damage. It was this practice that allowed them to formulate the first provisions of clinical psychology, since unique extensive material was collected on mental disorders that are associated with localized brain disorders.

Place of work

Clinical psychologists will be able to find work in clinics, rehabilitation or specialized centers, and trust services. Hospices, orphanages, as well as correctional colonies, crisis centers, government agencies, etc. are interested in them. Often specialists are engaged in private practice, in which case they can serve as corporate or family psychologists, conduct webinars, Skype conferences, group trainings.

Differences between a psychologist and a psychiatrist

A clinical psychologist specializes in the medical field of the origin of mental illnesses, examines them using diagnostics, applies correction, but does not always have the right to prescribe medications for these remedies. The psychologist’s “tool” is communication, therapy, but not pills. Such a specialist uses a complex of psychodiagnostic and psychocorrectional techniques in his work, focusing on a theoretical basis that combines the knowledge of a psychologist and a doctor. Thus, he significantly expands his professional capabilities for helping patients and his own development.

However, psychiatrists and psychologists have one task - to help and cure a person from mental pathologies and disorders. Set the patient up for positive results, change his worldview, worldview, guide him along the right path, reduce destructive behavior. However, a psychiatrist is a doctor first and foremost. For 5 years he undergoes exclusively medical training, like any other specialist from the medical field, goes on to practice as an internship, as a result of which he chooses his future profession and is determined with a narrow specialization. For example, he may prefer to work with children or only with disabled people. Psychiatrists use the medical model when communicating and treating patients. That is, they use, of course, psychological knowledge and techniques, but they focus more on the medical position. And, like doctors, they prescribe drugs - psychotropic, heavy sedatives. Drug therapy is the prerogative of psychiatrists. But not without psychotherapy. Psychiatrists deal with much more complex cases of mental illness than clinical psychologists.

Clinical psychologists do not resort to drug treatment, although such methods are practiced in some states in America. But, nevertheless, for this they undergo special training in order to understand medications and have the right to prescribe them. The range of drugs used in this area includes sedative and psychotropic drugs.

A clinical psychologist often works in conjunction with a psychiatrist to expand on the information gained through therapy.

Wage

As for wages, it depends on work experience, place of work, region, etc. However, the generalized average salary of such specialists in Russia is 26 thousand rubles. As for the capital, this figure is almost twice as high (45 thousand rubles).

A graduate of the Department of Clinical Psychology begins his career with a salary of 15.4 thousand rubles. By moving up the career ladder or opening his own business, his income can increase to 235 thousand rubles.

Is career growth possible?

Career prospects depend on the chosen course of professional activity.

1. You can improve as a specialist by working in a school, nursing home, rehabilitation center, enterprise or hospital. Development will occur through increasing experience, adopting new competencies, and increasing qualification status.
2. There is an opportunity to become a leader, heading a department, or opening a private clinic.

This branch of psychology allows you to earn an advanced degree as well as advance in teaching and research.

Norm and pathology

The basic concepts of clinical psychology can be presented in the form of binary oppositions: “norm - pathology” and “disease - health”. Let's look at them in more detail.

“Norm”—perhaps the main term for the discipline—forms the basis of the categorical apparatus of clinical psychology; however, a significant difficulty is that this is a very contradictory and ambiguous concept, and, no matter how paradoxical it may sound, the norm is not the categorical opposite of pathology.

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The fact is that there are different types of norms: statistical, ideal, social, functional, individual. The first represents the average indicator of a “standard” person, the ideal is understood as an arbitrarily established role model, social norms determine a person’s behavior from the point of view of the rules accepted in society.

Using functional norms, one can assess the state of an individual in terms of health consequences or achievement of a certain goal; finally, the individual or subjective norm does not speak about standard indicators, but about specific indicators characteristic of a given patient.

All these types must be taken into account in the process of identifying mental disorders and, thus, there becomes a very thin line separating mental normality from mental pathology, and, consequently, a state of health from a disease. This is the main problem of clinical psychology.

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The category of health is considered from two sides: in the mental and physical aspects. In general, using the definition of the World Health Organization, health is usually understood not only as the absence of disease, but as a state in which physical, mental and social well-being is achieved. Mental health indicators are highlighted separately:

• The ability to control behavior, taking into account social rules; the ability to change it under the influence of circumstances.
• The ability to make plans and implement them.
• Maintaining a critical assessment of your own actions.
• The same experience of repeated situations.
• Awareness of your “I”.
• Adequate ratio of the mental reactions of the individual and the influences that caused them.

Responsibilities

The competencies of a clinical psychologist include:

1. Carrying out work aimed at restoring mental health and correcting deviations in the personality development of patients.
2. Identify factors that hinder the harmonious development of the client’s personality.
3. Carry out activities on psychoprophylaxis, psychocorrection, psychological counseling of patients, thereby providing assistance to patients and their families in solving personal and everyday psychological problems.
4. Carry out psychodiagnostic studies and diagnostic observations of patients.
5. Interact with the attending physician to draw up developmental and psychocorrectional programs taking into account individual, gender and age factors of patients.
6. Collaborate with medical personnel to train them in issues of medical and social psychology, deontology.
7. Evaluate the results of psychological, therapeutic and preventive measures.

The list of job responsibilities presented above requires a specialist to have certain qualities and skills. For example, this type of professional activity should be paid attention to applicants who have the following qualities:

• Humanitarian mindset;
• Analytical thinking;
• Broad outlook;
• The ability to find an approach to a person;
• Tendency to work with arrays of information;
• Availability of lexical skills;
• Logical abilities;
• Ability to concentrate;
• Stress resistance.

In addition to personal qualities, a specialist in the field of clinical psychology must have the following skills and knowledge:

• Knowledge of conducting psychological examinations;
• Have a general understanding of family, individual and group counseling methods;
• Awareness of experimental psychological techniques;
• Knowledge of approaches to organizing a psychotherapeutic community and a psychotherapeutic environment;
• Ability to apply neuropsychological research techniques in practice;
• Ability to apply remedial training techniques;
• Have an understanding of computer diagnostic methods;
• Possession of knowledge of conducting personality-oriented and professional trainings;
• Ability to use various methods of psychological correction.

Requirements for a specialist

The specialist should not have neuropsychic pathologies, cardiovascular dysfunctions, attention and memory disorders, as well as problems with hearing, vision and speech. A clinical psychologist must be professional, competent, and responsible. Interaction with patients involves the need to think systematically and logically. Such a doctor needs to understand the value of health, be capable of empathy and compassion, and constructive interaction with other specialists to solve common problems.