How to Become a Clinical Psychologist

Abnormal psychology is a branch of medical psychology that studies abnormal patterns of thought, emotion and behavior, which can or might not be recognized as being related to a mental illness. This branch of psychiatric psychology generally treats behavior from a more clinical perspective than other fields of medical psychology. It also has a wider scope of research and studies than most other areas of medical psychology.

A clinical psychologist is usually a psychiatrist or psychologist who works with people diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder. They specialize in treating psychiatric disorders, as well as dealing with psychological disorders that have less to do with mental health.

Most doctors and psychiatrists prefer to see a clinical psychologist if they suspect that their patient is suffering from a psychiatric disorder, whether it is related to mental health or not. They can help the patient deal with problems associated with mental illnesses, such as depression, bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.

However, not all psychologists prefer to use the services of a clinical psychologist. Many are more interested in using psychotherapeutic methods of treating patients, like cognitive behavioral therapy.

A clinical psychologist can provide a number of services to his or her patients, depending on the type of disorder he or she diagnoses. The most common services that a clinical psychologist provides are behavioral analysis, treatment of the patient’s psychiatric illness, such as substance abuse or depression, and psychological testing, for example, to determine the severity of a patient’s disorder.

A clinical psychologist also provides training and advice for psychologists who work in other fields of medicine. Psychologists who work in hospitals, nursing homes or rehabilitation centers are often trained by a Clinical Psychology intern.

There are a few drawbacks to having a professional working with you who has not specialized in Psychology. The most common problem that arises is a lack of communication. If a patient does not feel comfortable discussing their problems with a psychologist, then the doctor may have trouble understanding what is actually bothering them and may misdiagnose the problem.

In the medical field, there is a high degree of confidentiality. With a large amount of research happening in the field of psychiatry and clinical psychology, there are some people who may be unwilling to share their problems with someone else. Even with those who are willing, they may be uncomfortable sharing their personal problems with another person in the medical field. For this reason, a trained Clinical Psychologist is needed to help them understand their issues and help them through treatment options.