It is a branch of psychology that is based on the principles, knowledge, and techniques of psychology, understands and predicts individuals’ mental, emotional, physical, psychological, social, and behavioral disorders, maladjustment and distress, and applies scientific methods to solve the problems. By means of psychological tests and diagnostic interviews, clinical psychology assesses the psychology and behavior of patients, and offers services (such as psychotherapy) to patients with various psychological disorders and behavior problems, especially those whose psychological function and social adaptation are severely impaired.
Brief History
The concept of clinical psychology was first proposed by the American psychologist Lighter Witmer in 1896. He followed the biological psychology viewpoints of the German psychologist Wilhelm Wundt and psychiatrist Emil Kraepelin, held that psychology should serve for applications, and that psychological clinics should serve society, the public,...
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Further Reading
Linden W, Hewitt PL (2018) Clinical psychology: a modern health profession, 2nd edn. Routledge, London
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**fu, Z. (2024). Clinical Psychology. In: The ECPH Encyclopedia of Psychology. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-6000-2_416-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-6000-2_416-1
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