Examination of Clinical Psychology

Examination of Clinical Psychology

Clinical psychology remains one of those fields that is “concerned with the assessment and treatment of mental illness, abnormal behavior and psychiatric problems” (Cherry, n.d., para. 1). Plante (2011), states that “clinical psychology focuses its efforts on the ways in which the human psyche interacts with physical, emotional, and social aspects of health and dysfunction” (pg. 5). The use of research and statistics within clinical psychology have helped this field to evolve tremendously throughout history. Within the psychology field its main focus is on helping individuals. However, there is a distinction that exist between clinical psychology and other psychological disciplines in their effort to promote a healthier lifestyle for individuals.

History and Evolving Nature of Clinical Psychology

The diverse thoughts, ideas, and interest in regards to the human behavior and the mind by many great philosophers presented a strong foundation for clinical psychology and its evolution throughout history. Psychology was not seen as its own discipline, but one that was viewed the same as philosophy until 1879 when “the first laboratory of psychology was subsequently developed by Wundt at the University of Leipzig, Germany” (Plante, 2011, pg. 38). “Clinical psychology emerged as a profession in the United States in the 1890s with studies conducted by psychologist with patients in the mental asylum” (Benjamin, 2005, para.1). In 1986, Lightner Witmer, who is considered to be the founder of clinical psychology, established one of the first psychological clinic located at the University of Pennsylvania. “Clinical psychology as it developed emphasized first the IQ, then other kinds of testing, including projective and neuropsychological assessment, and most recently clinical psychology has emphasized psychotherapy with adults more than children” (Routh, 1996, para.1).

Clinical psychology evolving nature placed major emphasis on the knowledge and understanding of abnormalities that developed within the human mind and the causes of them. The evolving nature of clinical psychology reaches as far back with the Greeks in their attempts and views on how to treat, diagnose, and prevent mental illness. During that time, the Greeks felt that all mental illness was a result of some spiritual being. “The Greeks believed that the mind and body were closely interconnected” (Plante, 2011, pg. 33). The treatment method the Greek developed was a “remarkably holistic perspective in which we can see many of the roots of our current beliefs on mind and body interactions in mental and physical illness” (Plante, 2011). This event leads many researchers throughout the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, and even Modern Day Time to re-evaluate their views and treatment when it comes to mental illness. Routh (2000) states,