During the early years of human history, humans were generally devoid of any information on psychology. It was deemed as a farfetched attempt at unravelling something that was not present. Anyone with a semblance of psychological trouble was regarded as being ‘crazy’ and sent to a special care facility without any treatment.
Sometimes, they were left as is until their situation deteriorated and caused their death. It was later in the latter end of the 1800s where humans started paying more attention to the scientific reasoning behind such conditions. What was causing humans to face such troubles mentally? Clinical psychology was given birth to when such thoughts entered the science community. The evolution has been tremendous since that point when the early scientists felt it was smarter to actually look at this like a health concern rather than something sent down from God.
Psychological Treatment
The main responsibility of a clinical psychologist is to provide treatment for their patients. If the client is assessed, the treatment is then established based on what they showed through their symptoms, history and other factors.
Sometimes medications are useful especially with severe symptoms, however it is usually helpful for the client to have psychological treatment as well.
The psychologist will recommend treatment based on the specifics of each client situation.
Psychological Diagnosis
The next responsibility of the psychologist is to make the diagnosis. The treatment is most effective when there has been a psychological assessment to accompany the treatment plan. Sometimes the psychologist will use psychological tests to aid in this process, in other cases this is not needed.
A psychological diagnosis can help to understand the client symptoms and make sense of what is happening.
Other times there is no diagnosis but the psychologist can develop a formulation of the client difficulties which will then inform what treatment can assist.
Administration Of Treatment Program
A treatment program is often established by the psychologist to help clients to directly address their concerns. This program aims to develop a relationship with the client and gives them a way to express and remain calm with their psychological condition.
It almost gives them a way to express their feelings they are dealing with at that moment. The psychologist is responsible for making sure the treatment they are implementing is effective for the client and to evaluate it regularly.
Testimony For Legal Cases
This is not just in the movies where a clinical psychologist is called in to speak about a person and their mental health. This is about real life as well where numerous situations have led to the testimony from a professional psychologist for a particular purpose.
These testimonies are taken seriously depending on the case details, but with the growth in this field, the legal system is also taking this into account with their decision-making. The jury and judge do consider the clinical psychologist opinion however each case is different.
Prevention
Psychological trouble can be prevented and psychologists spend time on this because why not prevent the problem before it develops and spirals beyond control? Prevention like with everything else is the best solution and the one that can be helpful in reducing the escalation of problems and symptoms.
Treating something that is already there is often unavoidable. Treating something that isn’t there and might not ever get there is a positive result if possible. You just work through warning signs, relapse prevention factors and coping strategies.
This is how (in part) psychologists work in environments such as schools (listed below) and workplaces to create positive settings.
Improving School System And Its Outlook On Mental Health
Children at a young age can be diagnosed with psychological trouble. Some develop problems because of their genetics while others due to the circumstances they are in, however often it is a combination. The school system can help to prevent such mental illnesses and psychologists have a role in supporting their objectives for a positive environment.
Research For Evolution Of Clinical Psychology
The burden for development in psychology also goes to these researchers. The world leans on them to keep providing new breakthroughs on mental health. To the benefit of those in this field, funds are coming in with people taking action by understanding how vital mental health treatment is in saving lives.
Research is continually improving and treatments are as well with mental health conditions.
A clinical psychologist is responsible for the care of their patients and especially now where the appreciation for such concerns is high means they have significant duties on their hands. The psychologist has to consider various factors with many other components associated with the patient’s case.
Clinical psychology is still in its infancy with so much to learn and the past 100 years have helped, but we surely have more to learn and improve on.