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Examination of Clinical Psychology

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Examination of Clinical Psychology
Mileva Repasky
August 25, 2014
PSY 480
John Colyar

Examination of Clinical Psychology
Psychology itself involves many theories, outcomes, and studies involving behaviors. Clinical psychology involves licensed individuals who use their knowledge and expertise of human behavior to address and treat issues or concerns in an individual’s life. Our text describes clinical psychology as “the aspect of psychological science and practice concerned with the analysis, treatment, and prevention of human psychological disabilities” (Plante, 2010, p.7). Clinical psychology is used to treat mental health problems using the scientific method. Clinical psychology has a very diverse history and continues to evolve through research and continually advancing statistics in this field. As this branch of psychology continues to evolve there are many similarities and differences that are shared with many other health professions.
History and Evolution of Clinical Psychology
Though the aspects of psychology have been present throughout our history, the actual field of psychology and clinical psychology was not recognized as a science until the late 1800’s. Psychology became a distinct discipline in 1892 when the American Psychological Association was formed; clinical psychology was named a specialty four years later. In 1896 the first psychological clinic was open in Pennsylvania by Lightner Witmer who became the first psychologist who treated an individual with a problem using his knowledge and understanding of human behavior (Plante, 2010). Though there were some tensions that arose between clinical psychology and psychology, the treatment of individuals continued to grow rapidly. The first formal class involving clinical psychology was taught in 1904 at the University of Pennsylvania. The first edition of the Journal of Abnormal

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