A clinical psychologist is the practical application of psychological research and analyses the diagnosis and recovery the mental health or behavioural illness. Clinical psychologists treat a specific group of patients or those who are suffering from trauma or any mental disorders. They use Cognitive-behavioural therapy or psychoanalytic therapy instead of giving any medication. They usually have a doctoral degree in Psychology.
How To Be A Good Clinical Psychologist?
- Research should be critical and thorough, to become a good clinical psychologist should have to understand the ability of clinical psychology problems.
- Discuss with senior professionals about violence, suicidal tendency, depression, and other mental health problems.
- Should have vast knowledge about the different kinds or categories of mental health problems.
- Should be kind and patient about the problems of clients and empathise with their suffering.
Working Areas Of A Clinical Psychologist:
Many clinical psychologists chose to do private practice or they can also work with hospitals, rehabilitation centres, schools, Universities, and non-governmental mental health services. Clinical psychologists might work in hospitals as well as teaching in colleges or universities.
- Health psychology: Health psychologists mainly treat adult patients who are suffering from mental and behavioural problems (Stress, Harmful behaviour).
- Neuropsychology: Neuropsychologists usually treat learning disabilities, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. Neuropsychologists have a specialization in how behavioural problems affect the brain.
- Child psychology: Child psychologists treat infants and teenagers and check out a treatment plan which can assess anger management issues, learning disabilities, anxiety, and depression.
- Geropsychology: Neuropsychologists are specialized in treating elderly people who are suffering from Depression, post-operative mental problems, and emotional illness.
Steps To Treat Clinical Psychological Problems:
- Proper identification of behavioural problems or emotional trauma or issues.
- Diagnosis of those mental disorders.
- Prepare a treatment plan.
- Prepare the records of information on clients, details of their problems, diagnosis, and treatment plans.
- Conducting regular therapy sessions.
- Help the client to recover from those problems.
The Problems Treated By Clinical Psychologists:
- Stress or trauma.
- Anxiety, phobia.
- Behaviour problems in children and teenagers.
- Autism, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease.
- Sleeplessness and other sleep-related problems.
- Hyperactivity among children.
- Problems with alcohol and drug.
- Suicidal thinking.
- Mood swings among women.
Therapies Used By Clinical Psychologists:
1. Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT):
Clinical psychologists and other medical professionals have found that one of the best ways to help people progress towards fast recovery is by driving away negative thinking. In order to do this, they must first understand the origin of the problem so that they can make an effective treatment plan. Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) is one type of therapy that is appropriate for children and adults, as well as couples. This therapy can be used to treat depression, anxiety disorder, anger issues, panic attacks, eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, and depressive disorders. CBT has been proven to be very useful in treating chronic insomnia and usually consists of 5 to 20 weekly sessions that are each 1 hour long.
2. Psychodynamic therapy:
It focuses on self-awareness and self-evaluation. Psychologists guide their patients to identify the cause and origin of their mental problems. This therapy helps people to create positive thoughts about themselves. Borderline personality disorder, psychosis, post-traumatic disorders, and relationship difficulties are some of the problems cured by this therapy. It is a form of talk therapy with any medication. The patient is encouraged to talk freely about the problems with the psychologists.
3. Humanistic Therapy:
This therapy helps to process the patient so that they can accept themselves and others’ criticism and can realize self-acceptance.
4. Psychoanalytic therapy:
Psychoanalytic therapists mostly work with the subconscious or unconscious mind of patients. In-depth talk therapy is used to help clients that may be suffering from obsessions, trauma, phobias, and compulsions. Through exploration of the subconscious or unconscious mind, therapists can help clients find the source of their problems and work towards solving them. Depression, emotional attacks, low self-esteem, personality disorders, identity crisis, relationship problems, and sexual problems can all be treated with psychoanalytic therapy.
5. Holistic therapy:
It helps people to balance their minds and body.
Salary: The yearly income of clinical psychologists may range from AU $100,000 to AU $120,000.
Conclusion:
Clinical psychologists treat mental, emotional, and behavioural disorders and help people to live a healthier and happy life. Clinical psychologists may advise about a change of lifestyle, can cure long-term mental stress or disorders, and how to cope-up with family problems.
