Evaluating the Difference on Forensic versus Clinical Psychology (Coursework Sample)

Forensic versus Clinical Psychology
Name:
Institution: Forensic versus Clinical Psychology
Forensic psychology can be defined as the study of psychology and the law. Psychologists in this field mostly work in the schools, prisons, police departments among others. Clinical psychologists on the other hand, deal with providing a comprehensive mental health care for the different individuals and making consultations with agencies and communities regarding the psychological issues. In forensic psychology, there are roles and assessments which are similar to those in a clinical model. However, they differ in a variety of ways on the aims, roles and assessments procedures, which each category applies. This paper, therefore, aims at evaluating the differences and similarities in these two professionalism in terms of their roles and assessments.
In terms of assessment, forensic is essentially conducted to determine the facts usable in a court. Therapeutic assessment is used for the purposes of helping an individual, who is being assessed in that particular point (Greenberg & Shuman, 1997). For example, in therapeutic assessment, when a client seeks a service to gain a relief from a mental problem such as depression, the psychologist could do the process by conducting an assessment. In such a case, the psychologist role is to evaluate the current problem, which the client is facing and help to determine the best kind of treatment to be used. In such a scenario, the psychologist doing the assessment only requires to inspire trust to the client and determine the truth of their issues in order to create an enabling environment to solve the problem at hand. Contrary, the Forensic assessment is conducted to determine the issues under considerations such as criminal cases. The psychologists needs to consider whether or not the clients are legally insane, and if they are competent to stand a trial or not (Barlow, 2005).
Both Forensic and clinical professionals are supposed to employ the eight step decision model in psychology to determine and assess if the best interest of the client has been achieve and ensure no harm has been caused to the clients in the course of the assessment. Although it is important to maintain the services of both professionals separately, their assessment methods follow the same steps to be used (Greenberg & Shuman, 1997). For instance, they should both meet the client and start with first step of decision making to the last one in a procedural manner.
A difference in role arises between forensic and therapeutic professionalism, in regard to the attitude they bring to between them and their client. Therapists’ aims at listening to their clients to create an environment which makes them feel safe, without a fear of being criticized or judged wrongly. Contrary, the forensic evaluator aims at attaining the required information, which is necessary in the legal process, without caring their relationship with the client (Barlow, 2005).
In a clinical setting, the role of psychologist is to help the clients solve the problems they are facing .The clinical psychologist helps the clients on aspects of personal growth and support (Greenberg & Shuman, 1997). Contrary, in the forensic psychology, their role is quite different in that; the role of the expert is to use the results gathered in the assessment to educate the court, without a benefit to the examinee. Also, the role of a forensic examiner is to offer a generalized opinion regarding the historical truth and validity of the litigants claims in terms of psychological aspects. Conversely, therapists face a dilemma on determining the historical accuracy of the information provided by their clients (Greenberg & Shuman, 1997). For instance, there is a case where a therapist was sued for slander reasons by the father and identified through the memories recovered. Later, the client abused the therapist for abusing him.
A difference in role arises between forensic and therapeutic professionalism, in regard to the attitude, which each brings to their relationship with the ...