Diagnosis to Prognosis – A career in Clinical Psychology

Clinical psychology is a flourishing stream of psychology. The pace of living and multiple stressors have added to the significance of this field. The clinical psychologist deals with issues related to mental health and severe learning difficulties. A team of multidisciplinary professionals work together from “diagnosis to rehabilitation” of a patient. The clinical psychologist helps in diagnosing the mental illness, the psychiatrist prescribes medicines and the social worker works closely with information about the patients socio-cultural and familial set up. He / she also helps towards rehabilitating the patient and the family.
 
Clinical psychologist also works in school, college, hospital and community health centers. Mental disorders like neurosis, psychosis, personality disorders, drug addiction, alcoholism and mental retardation is the broad scope of work of a clinical psychologist. Psychodiagnosis and psychotherapy forms the forms the core of clinical psychology.

Training: - At the graduate level psychology as an honors / major is available in almost all the recognized universities in the country. This is a three year programme in which all aspects of psychology are studied. A degree in clinical psychologist can be obtained by completing post graduation in the subject. Post graduate studies are of two years duration, and during the course, specialization in a particular branch of psychology is usually possible.

Subjects of Clinical Psychology: - Psychodiagnosis and Psychotherapeutics; Crime and Delinquency; Psychopathology and Practicum (In the second year of post graduation the students are affiliated to a Government Hospital and work closely with Psychiatrists). Hence clinical psychology cannot be studied externally or via distance learning.

Personality: - Clinical psychologists must have a serious desire to help people understand themselves and others. A basic curiosity and deep sensitivity is required as well as fascination with the way human mind works. Working with clients and patients can be emotionally involving yet the psychologist has to help without getting emotionally entrenched. Thinking logically and creatively are assets which facilitate problem solving.

Good communication skills are needed by clinical psychologist who spend much of their time listening and talking to clients and patients and writing reports. Patients and clients confidentiality is important. There is an obvious ethical aspect to the work hence it is important to be tolerant and to avoid judgmental decisions.

Institutes: -
National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) in Bangalore is one of the deemed institutes for pursuing education in Clinical Psychology. Other universities such as Gujarat University (Ahmedabad); Mumbai University (Mumbai); Delhi University (Delhi) are reputed for education in Clinical Psychology.