Psychology is an academic and applied discipline that involves the scientific study of mental functions and behaviors. In this field, a professional practitioner or researcher is called a psychologist. Psychologists are concerned with all aspects of behavior, thought, emotions, feelings and motivation underlying such behavior. They work in hospital settings, clinics, private practice, social services and schools. Psychologists apply their knowledge to many fields like health services, law, education, sports, managements etc. Clinical psychologists work more in the health and medical departments and provide counseling and psychotherapy for mentally and emotionally distressed clients.
There are many different approaches in psychotherapy, which include;
- cognitive behavioural therapies
- psychoanalytic therapies
- psychodynamic therapies
- systemic and family psychotherapy
- humanistic and integrative psychotherapies
- hypno-psychotherapy
- experiential constructivist therapies
Clinical psychologists work with people of all ages who experience mental or physical health problems. These may include:
- anxiety and depression;
- serious and enduring mental illness;
- adjustment to physical illness;
- neurological disorders;
- addictive behaviours;
- eating disorders;
- behaviour disorders;
- personal and family relationship problems;
- learning disabilities.
Mental Illness
One in five people suffer from emotional problems sufficiently distressing to justify seeking professional help. Their symptoms can range from relatively mild feelings of depression and anxiety to severe distress and dysfunction which threatens life itself. Unfortunately, many people with mental illnesses and emotional problems fail to seek the professional help that they need.
Psychological assessments are undertaken to identify and measure the individual's intelligence, personality, aptitude, ability, talent, efficiency and competency. Psychodiagnostic testing is a specialized diagnostic procedure that identifies and quantifies degrees of psychopathology. In contrast to a psychiatric consultation, it uses written, oral and projective instruments to evaluate a patient's mental processes and to assess how their thinking and emotions are likely to impact their behavior. Therefore, psychodiagnostic testing provides objective data on a patient's psychological functioning and is a useful tool for clarifying confusing clinical presentations. Neuropsychological Evaluation is used for measuring memory, cognitive functioning, emotional and personality functioning, early cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s, epilepsy etc. For children, psychological assessment helps in assessing developmental issues, intelligence and personality. It helps in identifying Mental Retardation, Autism, ADHD (Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) etc. Assessments are of these kinds:
- Cognitive assessment including assessment of intelligence or IQ
- Developmental Assessment or DQ
- Assessment of Emotional Intelligence (EQ)
- Assessment of learning disabilities/ Dyslexia
- Personality Assessment
- Assessment for Mental Health Problems
- Assessment of aptitude and Interest for career counseling
- Neuropsychological Assessment.
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