History and Evolution of Clinical Psychology - Essay Example

Examination of Clinical Psychology History and Evolution of Clinical Psychology Clinical psychology is an aspect ofpsychological practice and science that entails analyzing, treating and preventing psychological disabilities in humans while enhancing individual adjustment and effectiveness (Plante, 2011). The history of helping people experiencing psychological distress did not start with clinical psychology. The functions of the modern day psychology began with institutions and individuals who existed before the emergency of the profession of psychology. Religious groups, the clergy, physicians and social welfare promoters have for long been responsible for taking care of people’s psychological needs (Benjamin, 2005). Treatment was based on demonology where it was perceived that such problems were caused by evil forces. During the Greek period, an alternative to demonology that sought medical explanations to psychological problems, referred to as somato-genic perspective, emerged. This was the precursor to the bio-psycho-social perspective. Despite their appreciation of gods’ control on health, the ancient Greeks explored beyond supernatural influence to explain the social, psychological and biological influences on illnesses (Plante, 2011). Thus, in the 4th B.C., Hippocrates attributed psychological problems to imbalances in bodily fluids – phlegm, blood, yellow bile and black bile – whole relationships influenced personality and temperament (Benjamin, 2005). Plato attributed mental illness to sickness of the soul, operating the head which controls reason. Maintaining a scientific perspective, Aristotle perceived distinct emotional states such as anger, joy and fare influenced bodily functions. Also adopting the humeral theory, Galen observed that the soul, a slave to the body and not the master, had its wishes resulting in illness and health. The Middle Ages, between 500 and 1450 A.D., notions on the relationship among the body, mind, health and illness reemerged. With the belief on supernatural causes of diseases and insanity, Plante (2011) observed a shift back to spiritual healing and treatment. However, Cook (2011) documents other thinkers during this period who did not believe in supernatural influence. Saint Thomas Aquinas believed that abnormal behavior resulted from both scientific and theological reasons. Bishop Nicholas Ores-me’ thought of mental illness and abnormal behavior as a consequent of diseases like melancholy. Even more diverse, Paracelsus, a Swiss physician perceived mood and behavior as a consequent of movement of the moon, stars and the planets. His focus was on biological institution of mental illness and thus came up with humane treatments. The Renaissance saw the popularity of physical and medical explanations rise. Through autopsy, Morgagni discovered that a diseased organ inhabiting the body could lead to illness and death. According to Plante (2011), Andreas Vesalius sought to promote scientific observation and experimentation as opposed to dogma, religious beliefs and mythology. Rene’ Descartes believed the mind and the body to be separate. Thus, medical professionals intensified their efforts in identifying and treating such disorders. Between 1500s and 1800s, treatment involved placing individuals in asylums and psychiatric hospitals but had minimal therapeutic effect. The nineteenth century saw major advancements in explaining physical and mental illness and the sophisticated relationship between the mind and body in illness and health. Louis Pasteur attributed disease and illness to cellular level dysfunction. Benjamin Rush posited that the mind could cause diseases. Observing that people with paralysis, blindness and deafness did not have biomedical pathology, Franz Mesmer promoted the animal magneticism theory, also referred to as Mesmerism, which according to Plante (2011) viewed animals as possessing some magnetic forces in their bodies that could assist in treating various mental and physical disorders. This could be accomplished through a direction or re-direction of these fluids by a physician. Philippe Pinel caused a revolution in mental health hospitals, making the treatment of patients more humane. This saw a reduction in deaths of such patients from 60% to 10% in a Paris asylum where he was the chief physician, thus a replication of his principles across Europe (Benjamin, 2005). Clause Bernard advocated for the recognition of psychological factors in physical illness. William Tuke and Dorothea Dix promoted humane treatment in mental hospitals in the US. Franz Alexander studied the relationship between psychological factors and mental and physical illnesses. Moral treatment involved the conviction that people with psychological problems have to be offered humane treatment and care thus the improvement from inhumane methods and conditions in mental hospitals and asylums. The works of Pierre Janet, Hippolyte Bemheim and Jean Charcot that experimented on the use of hypnosis in treating psychological problems saw Sigmund Freud’s proposition of psychological causes of behavioral and emotional disorders. This became the basis of clinical psychology research on treatment of psychological disorders. The 1860 and 1874 publications of Theodor Fechner and Wilhelm Wundt respectively were the first to give a clear indication that the technique of physics and physiology could resolve psychological problems. With the development of the first psychology laboratory at the University of Leipzig, Germany by Wundt in 1879 came the birth of psychology. G. Stanley Hall founded the American Psychological Association, APA in 1892, with more interest in experimental psychology as opposed to applied psychology (Benjamin, 2005). Responses from various individuals to forces of psychology towards the end of the nineteenth century and the beginning of the twentieth century saw the emergence of clinical psychology. It is Wundt’s doctoral student, Lightner Witmer, who came up with the term clinical psychology, aimed at describing the field that dealt with treating children experiencing learning difficulties. He advocated for careful application of psychological science when it comes to clinical psychology. His work shaped future developments in the field, including emphasizing on academic problems among children and active use of clinical interventions to improve human life and collaborating with other professionals to provide treatment. Role of Research and Statistics in Clinical Psychology Research constitutes the foundation of clinical psychology. According to Plante (2011), it provides the knowledge to understand the phenomena critical to clinical psychologists including mental health, psychopathology and the relationship between physical disease and psychological factors. It gives evidence that guide clinical practice to assess humans and their problems and determine empirically supported prevention and treatment methods. Moreover, research findings play a crucial role in identifying interventions evidenced to be more effective than other alternative forms of treatment (Cook, 2011). It provides ideas for new applications and directions in clinical psychology including the relationships between clinical psychology and other social, behavioral and biological sciences. As such, clinical psychology tests and assessments should be based on valid and reliable research. Differentiation of Clinical Psychology Mental health profession refers to the profession of providing assessment and intervention aimed at identifying and relieving psychiatric problems or distress. Though all mental health professionals are popularly described as clinical psychologists, they differ in what they do (Cook, 2011). Whereas clinical psychology involves operation in a health institution, school psychology involves the promotion of social, emotional and intellectual growth in a school setting, together with educators. It involves a qualification in doctorate in philosophy, PhD. Psychiatry, involving completion of doctorate in medicine, MD, is a professional for medical doctors with additional education on treating mental health disorders. With a bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work, BSW and MSW respectively, social workers would be allowed to provide therapeutic and assessment of mental health disorders. With a doctorate in education, EdD or philosophy, PhD, counseling psychologists would then provide therapy and assessment of mental disorders. References Benjamin, L. T. (2005). A history of clinical psychology as a profession in America (and a glimpse at its future). Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 1 (1), 1 – 30. Cook, J. (2011). Introduction to clinical psychology. University of Missouri. Retrieved 23 February 2014 from https://services.online.missouri.edu/exec/data/courses/2382/public/lesson01/lesson01.aspx Plante, T. G. (2011). Contemporary clinical psychology (3rd ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons. Read More