The document examines the history and evolution of clinical psychology. It discusses how clinical psychology has its roots in ancient Greek philosophy but became a formal science with pioneers like Wundt and James. Key developments included the first psychological clinic in 1896, Freud influencing a focus on the unconscious, and the growth of clinical psychology after World War I when psychological testing was used on millions of soldiers. The field has continued to evolve, incorporating evidence-based treatments and embracing perspectives like positive psychology. The document also explores the relationships between clinical psychology and other fields like psychiatry, counseling psychology, and social work that also aim to promote mental health and well-being.

1. Running head: EXAMINATION OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY
Examination of Clinical Psychology
Jody Marvin
PSY 480
October 12, 2013
Dr. Char Schultz
1

2. EXAMINATION OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY
2
Examination of Clinical Psychology
Clinical psychology attempts a perfect convergence with the science, knowledge, and theory
of human behavior helping individuals with the numerous experiences during the course of a life
regarding emotions, relationships, and physical selves (Plante, 2011). Rich history spans from
early Greek philosophers to Sigmund Freud cataloguing the evolving nature of clinical
psychology. In the present, within modern psychology lies an abundance of information clinical
psychologists draw from including science and other realms referring to biopsychosocial
factors.The role of research and statistics in clinical psychology lays the foundation for new
applications and directions defining the relationship between physical behavioral, biological, and
social sciences. Developing the most effective means for intervention and treatment, scientific
exploration through empirically validated-based evidence creates effective treatment approaches
embracing all aspects of human behavior. Equally important, enhancing the quality of life from
and for the human spirit involves an integration of direct services or a collaboration of
psychiatrists, social workers, medical doctors, and other specialists concerned with normal,
moderate, or severe psychological problems. The future of clinical psychology hangs in the
balance between research and practice creating the need for guiding theorists of the 21st century.
History of Clinical Psychology
The nature and scope of clinical psychology began with a background from ancient and
distinct pre-scientific psychology based on theories rather than reliable, valid, scientific research.
Understanding of the context of body and mind began with the ancient Greeks exploring
biological, psychological, and social influences. As an illustration, Hippocrates (460-377 B.C.)
believed an imbalance of four bodily fluids was the primary cause of disease whereas the Middle
Ages reverted back to an emphasis on demons and spirits influencing disease and insanity.

3. EXAMINATION OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY
3
Regardless, Galen formed a holistic theory incorporating the physiological explanations of
Hippocrates with Plato‟s metaphysical explanations. The work of Pinel, Bernard, and Rush was
the beginning of approaches sough to alleviate psychological dysfunction rather than restraint
with simple separation of the dysfunction.
The birth of psychology proper followed the publishing of Wundt‟s The Elements of
Psychophysics(1850) and Principles of Psychology(1890) by James. Following, in 1896 at the
University of Pennsylvania, Lightner Witmer developed and began the first psychological clinic.
The focus was on assessment rather than treatment of maladies. Additionally, with the influence
in America of Sigmund Freud (1856-1939), the founding of the American Association of
Clinical Psychologists (AACP) in 1917 and early clinical psychology added to tremendous
growth of clinical psychology. Empirical measurement of behavior to the result of
understanding the components of the mind became the main force behind psychology.
Elsewhere, as tension developed between mainstream psychology and clinical psychology a
general understanding of human behavior began leaning toward abnormal or dysfunctional
psychology.
Evolving Nature of Clinical Psychology
Evidence-Based Treatments (EBT) became a concern (Kazdin, 2008) because although
support may show effects between and among multiple studies, results reflect no effects or
different effects. The first edition of the Journal of Abnormal Psychology (1907), followed by
the first formal classes in clinical psychology, identified the need for Research Centered
Treatment (RCT) based on the existing knowledge base and clinical practice (Kazdin, 2008).
The first edition of the Journal of Abnormal Psychology (1907), followed by the first formal
classes in clinical psychology, identified the need for Research Centered Treatment (RCT) based

4. EXAMINATION OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY
4
on the existing knowledge base and clinical practice (Kazdin, 2008). Simultaneously, Sigmund
Freud postulated the direct outcome of mental and physical illness results from unconscious
conflict and strife. Many decades following his death, the work of Freud molded the direction of
clinical psychology, including the expansion of psychological and child guidance centers. As a
result of the Boulder Conference (1949), training guidelines for clinical psychologists included a
firm understanding of psychotherapy and psychological research.
Equally important, World War I discovered the need for recruit classification based on
psychological functioning and emotional intelligence. As a result, approximately two million
people received the Army Alpha Test, Army Beta Test, and the Psychoneurotic Inventory
(developed by Robert Woodsworth, 1917) applicable to large groups of literate and nonliterate
individuals. The explosion of psychological testing dominated the professional services of
clinical psychologists whereas psychiatrist conducted psychotherapy and treatment for mental
illness.
Clinical Psychology and Other Branches
Apparently a major lawsuit in the late 1980s allowed clinical psychologist‟s expansion into
consultation with children, teachers, and parents with behavioral dynamics reflecting research
developments. Following the evolving nature of clinical psychology, by the 1970s the field
evolved into a respected robust field of study and research. Individuals from every walk of life,
from sports super stars to the every-day housewife have a clinical psychologist helping him or
her consistently to achieve a very best performance level. Likewise most public and private
schools have a clinical psychologist assisting children. Rather than a taboo, becoming an
accepted field of psychology, the practice fields and educational fields of clinical psychology
continue to grow.

5. EXAMINATION OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY
The establishment of community health centers and the introduction of psychotropic drugs
began a change in the psychological perspective to a humanism, cognitive-behaviorism, and
family systems approach. Because no one theory proved to explain the entirety of cognition,
dysfunction, and behavior, the biopsychosocial theory incorporates many of the practices from
the individual perspectives. As a consequence, revising the historic split between the various
branches of psychology may result in Clinical Psychology to assimilate Counseling Psychology
(Kinderman, 2009). According to Kinderman (2009), “Mental health services should fully
embrace the recovery approach with services commissioned on the basis of individual social
need, and functional outcome as much as on the basis of „treatment‟ and clinical outcome,” (p.
16). In addition, evaluation frameworks, new assessments, and preventative health promotion
work needs a particular focus to adolescent mental health (Kinderman, 2009). Also cognitive
behavioral therapy (CBT) is implementing strategies developing psychological therapy services
(Turpin et al., 2006 as cited in Kinderman, 2009, p. 17).
Bilewicz (2009) proposes a shift toward positive psychology with a perspective on human
strengths and mental health. Additionally, promoting personal fulfilment through perspective
taking and intergroup helping intentions will increase the level that people are willing to help
each other while working with multicultural/diverse populations. Professional psychology
recognizes the specialty that clinical psychologuy is a general practice and health service
provider. In contrast couseling psychology helps individuals with normal or moderate
psychological problems. Fewercouseling psychology graduate programs exist and are normally
housed in education departments rather than psychological departments.
Generally concerned with social problems, their causes, and their solutions, clinical social
workers provide a variety of services. Knowledgeable of community mental health services
5

6. EXAMINATION OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY
6
available they empower clients to obtain such services. Generally employed at government
subssidized community centers, mental health care is affordable by members of the community
resulting in low fees and greater availability. With special training involving a two-year program,
including at least one-year practicum clinical social workings may also provide psychological
counseling. Although seven branches exist in the realm of psychology psychiatrists,
psychologists, couselors, and social workers discover an overlap in services to ameliorate mental
distress, prevent mental disorders, or improve mental health (DiVail, Zikaras, Copeland, &
Gonyeau, 2010).
Psychiatrists begins training as a medical practictioner but continues to grow with
specialized training in treating mental disorders, including examples such as schizophrenia,
severe depression, and bipolar disorders. The addition biomedical approach consists of
prescribing and monitoring medications, psychiatric ward admissions, investigative procedures
such as electroencephalographs (EEG), and brain imaging procedure scans such as computer
assisted tomography (CAT). Fees of psychiatrists are generally higher because of medical status
and long training. In contrast because clinical psychologists do not prescribe medications there is
a growing movement for the biomedical approaches toward clinical psychologists prescribing
privileges requiring additional education and trainiong (DiVail, Zikaras, Copeland, & Gonyeau,
2010).
In the same way clinical psychologists are a general practice and health service provider,
school psychologyapplies the science and practice with developmental psychology to learners of
all ages and their families. Promoting educational and personal development of the students
includes the protection of students rights regarding developmental disabilities or learning
disabilities (DiVail, Zikaras, Copeland, & Gonyeau, 2010). Psycho-educational evaluation,

7. EXAMINATION OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY
7
program development, consultations with parents and students assist school psychologists with
interventions at systems levels and individual student levels. Practicing in a variety of
environemtns, school psychologists are in public and private schools, forensic settings, hospitals,
clinics, and in independent practice (Kazdin, 2008).
Research and Statistics in Clinical Psychology
The application of findings from psychotherapy research is one guide to clinical work, Concerns
exists from those in research regarding how clinical work is conducted (Kazdin, 2008). Shifts in
emphases regarding research and practice will ensure and improve patient care hoping to
eliminate the perceived and genuine hiatus divide between research and practice. Providing a
body of evidence guiding clinical practice includes empirically supported methods of treatment
and prevention. The relationship between psychological factors and physical disease finds a
foundation in empirically validated methods regarding assessment.
Unfortunately, effective interventions, psychological tests, and other assessments methods or
Evidence-Based Treatments (EBT) eliminate clinical experiences as a source for hypothesis and
ideas. Consequently, single-case designs study one individual at a time whereas multisided,
large-scale studies involve hundreds of participants. Controlled laborites and naturalistic settings,
such as clinics or schools are only a few of the many settings clinical psychologists conduct
research. Additionally, data analysis ranges from complex multivariate statistics to the singlecase study using non-statistical methods. The answer to a history of objections and reservations
hopes to eliminate generalizing. Establishing the need for individual treatment to meet the needs
of individual patients will help eliminate generalizing (Kazdin, 2008). Concurrently, the influx of
new treatments in child and adolescent therapy continues to grow without the study in controlled
or uncontrolled trials.

8. EXAMINATION OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY
8
Refocusing research and practice on patient care, needs the experience and expertise of clinical
psychologists regarding the identity of mechanisms to change (Kazdin, 2008). Intensive and
systematic research involved with qualitative research methods provides an understanding of the
individual experiences. Systematic evaluation includes monitoring treatment effects and permits
finer delineations of therapeutic change allowing psychology to profit from clinician and patient
experience regarding various treatments.
Conclusion
To summarize, the investigation of the human condition looks for the relationship between
psychology and physiology. The investigation began with the first theory of interplay between
the metaphysical to the first postulations of a biological foundation for mental illness. As the
applied approach rose in the 19th and 20th centuries the emphasis on a hands-on method to
approach mental illness was adopted conflicting with the empirical, scientific ascertainable
explanations. Although research and statistics is a corrective instrument, the blending of other
perspectives creates the biopsychosocial interventions and treatments. Concurrently, the
individual process of possible recovery and understanding of the malady promotes enhancement
of functioning in social and behavioral maladjustment. Whether discussing the psychiatrist,
counseling psychologist, or social worker, the main goal of all psychological disciplines (with an
emphasis on clinical psychology) is to promote a better quality of life from and for the human
spirit (Goodwin, 2012).

9. EXAMINATION OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY
9
References
Bilewicz, M. (2009). Perspective taking and intergroup helping intentions: The moderating role
of power relations. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 39(12), 2779-2786.
doi:10.1111/j.1559-1816.2009.00548.x
DiVail, M., Zikaras, B., Copeland, D., & Gonyeau, M. (2010). School-wide clinical intervention
system to document pharmacy students' impact on patient care. American Journal of
Pharmaceutical Education, 74(1), 1-8.
Goodwin, J. (2012). A history of modern psychology (3rd ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley &
Sons.
Kazdin, A. (2008). Evidence-based treatment and practice: New opportunities to bridge clinical
research and practice, enhance the knowledge base, and improve patient care. American
Psychologist, 63(3), 146-159.
Kinderman, P. (2009). The future of counseling psychology: A view from outside. Counseling
Psychology Review, 24(1), 16-21. Retrieved from
http://search.ebscohost.comezproxy.apollolibrary
Plante, T. (2011). Contemporary clinical psychology (3rd ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley &

10. EXAMINATION OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY
Sons.
10