The Current Trends in Three Major Areas of Clinical Psychology (Essay Sample)

The Current Trends in Three Major Areas of Clinical Psychology
Clinical and counseling psychology has been expanding at an exponential rate over the past few decades. Clinical psychologists conduct scientific research on factors contributing to mental health issues. The goal is to develop effective treatments that improve people’s lives. This literature review explores and integrates psychological research into a study, addressing current trends in three major areas of clinical and counseling psychology: assessment, clinical work, and prevention.
Assessment
The assessment process is an integral part of the treatment process for all clients. This section will discuss clinical assessments in clinical and counseling psychology and how they are used with diverse clients. In clinical and counseling psychology, assessments help determine what type of treatment would be most beneficial for a client. Several types of reviews are used in clinical and counseling psychology: Personality tests measure personality traits that may impact how a person responds to different situations or environments. The goal is to help the psychologist understand how this person might react in a given situation. For example, if someone fails a test designed to measure depression, they may feel like they do not have any options left in life and decide to make drastic changes such as suicide or harming others around them due to their feelings of despair (Ryder et al., 2011). Personality tests also allow psychologists to understand better why some people choose specific careers over others. For example, someone who gets bored easily may find it difficult.
Assessment of Cultural Identity: Cultural identity can be assessed through demographic data gathering, observation, and interviews. During a consultation, questions about race, ethnicity, and social class can be asked to determine how these factors contribute to the client’s current situation and future goals. Questions should include open-ended questions that allow the client to provide more detailed answers than simply yes or no answers. These questions allow for a better understanding of what influences their behavior in different situations. The article by Ryder et al. (2011) provides an overview of the history and development of cultural-clinical psychology, including its relationship to other approaches such as multiculturalism and social justice. It also discusses how these approaches have been used in clinical settings worldwide. The authors describe cultural-clinical psychology as a “new paradigm” that “posits that culture is not only relevant to mental health but essential to it” (p. 64). They argue that this approach can help us better understand how culture influences people’s experiences, thoughts, emotions, and behavior. The authors highlight several principles that guide research in this area:
Culture is embedded in every aspect of human existence. Therefore all parts of the individual’s experience must be examined for cultural influences. The context in which people live results in their mental health status and treatment needs. For example, poverty or discrimination may contribute to poor mental health outcomes among specific groups or populations (African Americans). There is no single culture or set of beliefs shared by all individuals within a group; instead, there are multiple cultures with varying degrees of influence on different individuals. Culturally responsive theory and practice are embedded in the tenets of cultural-clinical psychology. In this approach, psychologists are encouraged to consider the impact of culture on the client’s experience and behavior (Rivera-Mosquera, Dowd, and Mitchel, 2007). The work of psychologists is not limited to the provision of treatment services; they must also consider how the client’s culture may impact their ability to access or utilize mental health services. The authors note that cultural-clinical psychology can be applied across various populations, including those from diverse ethnic backgrounds. For example, a psychologist working in an urban area may encounter clients from multiple racial/ethnic groups who speak different languages or have limited English proficiency. The psychologist must be able to assess these clients using culturally appropriate methods. For example, an assessment instrument that does not include items written in the proper grade level for a first-grader would not be suitable for a child who speaks English as a second language and has limited proficiency with written language.