, Chapter 1: The Evolution of Clinical Psychology
Chapter 1 – The Evolution of Clinical Psychology
Chapter Overview
A strong foundation of knowledge is the cornerstone for mastering a subject.
Chapter 1 provides the foundation for the next fourteen chapters by defining key
terminology and presenting notable facts about mental illness. The chapter
explores the issue of evidence-based psychology and the issue of overreliance
on science. Students are introduced to the various professions within the field
and potential career options. A brief, yet thorough history of clinical psychology,
assessment, intervention, and prevention is presented.
Chapter Contents
• Introduction
• Defining the Nature and Scope of Clinical Psychology
• Evidence-Based Practice in Psychology
• Mental Health Professions
▪ Counseling Psychology
▪ School Psychology
▪ Psychiatry
▪ Clinical Social Work
▪ Other Mental Health Professions
• Availability of Mental Health Service Providers
• A Brief History of Clinical Psychology
▪ The Roots of Clinical Psychology
▪ The History of Assessment in Clinical Psychology
▪ The History of Intervention in Clinical Psychology
▪ The History of Prevention in Clinical Psychology
• The Future
• Summary and Conclusions
1
, Chapter 1: The Evolution of Clinical Psychology
Learning Objectives
1. What are the various mental disorders and the prevalence rates in
America?
2. How does mental illness impact daily functioning, the economy, and
communities?
3. What is clinical psychology? What are its limitations?
4. Why is evidence-based practice beneficial and why do some disagree
about its usefulness?
5. Define and discuss the various mental health professions and career
opportunities.
6. What is the availability of mental service providers across the world?
7. What are the roots of clinical psychology?
8. How has assessment played a vital role in clinical psychology?
9. Who are the major figures in assessment?
10. Define and discuss the history of intervention in clinical psychology.
11. What are the various forms of psychotherapy?
12. Describe the history of prevention in clinical psychology.
13. What does the future hold for clinical psychology?
Up for Discussion
1. Are mental health problems as serious as physical health problems?
2. Think about the challenges and stressors that you have faced and faced
by those you care about. Can you identify the things that made your
distress worse? On the other hand, what helped you in dealing with
difficulties?
3. Do you think it is responsible to offer services that have no evidence of
effectiveness? When effective treatments exist, it is reasonable to
continue to offer services of undocumented effectiveness? If you were
advising a friend to seek services, would you suggest looking for services
2
, Chapter 1: The Evolution of Clinical Psychology
that have been shown to be helpful for similar problems? If not, then why
not?
4. In what ways is clinical psychology similar to other mental health
professions?
5. In what ways has scientific thinking shaped the evolution of clinical
psychology?
Out-of-Class Activities
1. Have students visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) website
(http://www.nami.org/) and research topics such as stigma, the various
disorders, the purpose of NAMI, and what information they could share
with others.
2. Ask students to consider what the impact of mental illness, such as
depression or an anxiety disorder) would be on their own life. Ask them to
write a one-page discussion on their feelings, concerns, and questions.
You may expand this as a multiple week project or full semester project
and require students to keep a journal about their particular illness. The
purpose is to help students gain awareness and understanding not only of
the complexities of the disorder but the impact on all aspects of their lives.
3. Ask students to visit various websites on assessments such as Multi-
Health Systems, Western Psychological Services, and Pearson
Assessments to gain an understanding of the complexity and large array
of tests available. Have students discuss the various qualifications needed
to administer these tests and tie into the various health professions.
4. Ask students to develop a plan for reducing homelessness for the mentally
ill. Students should consider cost, feasibility, urban versus rural areas,
various disorders, as well as community impact.
Web Links
The website of the Canadian Psychological Association provides information on
the diverse sections of psychology, accreditation, and licensure:
www.cpa.ca
3
Chapter 1 – The Evolution of Clinical Psychology
Chapter Overview
A strong foundation of knowledge is the cornerstone for mastering a subject.
Chapter 1 provides the foundation for the next fourteen chapters by defining key
terminology and presenting notable facts about mental illness. The chapter
explores the issue of evidence-based psychology and the issue of overreliance
on science. Students are introduced to the various professions within the field
and potential career options. A brief, yet thorough history of clinical psychology,
assessment, intervention, and prevention is presented.
Chapter Contents
• Introduction
• Defining the Nature and Scope of Clinical Psychology
• Evidence-Based Practice in Psychology
• Mental Health Professions
▪ Counseling Psychology
▪ School Psychology
▪ Psychiatry
▪ Clinical Social Work
▪ Other Mental Health Professions
• Availability of Mental Health Service Providers
• A Brief History of Clinical Psychology
▪ The Roots of Clinical Psychology
▪ The History of Assessment in Clinical Psychology
▪ The History of Intervention in Clinical Psychology
▪ The History of Prevention in Clinical Psychology
• The Future
• Summary and Conclusions
1
, Chapter 1: The Evolution of Clinical Psychology
Learning Objectives
1. What are the various mental disorders and the prevalence rates in
America?
2. How does mental illness impact daily functioning, the economy, and
communities?
3. What is clinical psychology? What are its limitations?
4. Why is evidence-based practice beneficial and why do some disagree
about its usefulness?
5. Define and discuss the various mental health professions and career
opportunities.
6. What is the availability of mental service providers across the world?
7. What are the roots of clinical psychology?
8. How has assessment played a vital role in clinical psychology?
9. Who are the major figures in assessment?
10. Define and discuss the history of intervention in clinical psychology.
11. What are the various forms of psychotherapy?
12. Describe the history of prevention in clinical psychology.
13. What does the future hold for clinical psychology?
Up for Discussion
1. Are mental health problems as serious as physical health problems?
2. Think about the challenges and stressors that you have faced and faced
by those you care about. Can you identify the things that made your
distress worse? On the other hand, what helped you in dealing with
difficulties?
3. Do you think it is responsible to offer services that have no evidence of
effectiveness? When effective treatments exist, it is reasonable to
continue to offer services of undocumented effectiveness? If you were
advising a friend to seek services, would you suggest looking for services
2
, Chapter 1: The Evolution of Clinical Psychology
that have been shown to be helpful for similar problems? If not, then why
not?
4. In what ways is clinical psychology similar to other mental health
professions?
5. In what ways has scientific thinking shaped the evolution of clinical
psychology?
Out-of-Class Activities
1. Have students visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) website
(http://www.nami.org/) and research topics such as stigma, the various
disorders, the purpose of NAMI, and what information they could share
with others.
2. Ask students to consider what the impact of mental illness, such as
depression or an anxiety disorder) would be on their own life. Ask them to
write a one-page discussion on their feelings, concerns, and questions.
You may expand this as a multiple week project or full semester project
and require students to keep a journal about their particular illness. The
purpose is to help students gain awareness and understanding not only of
the complexities of the disorder but the impact on all aspects of their lives.
3. Ask students to visit various websites on assessments such as Multi-
Health Systems, Western Psychological Services, and Pearson
Assessments to gain an understanding of the complexity and large array
of tests available. Have students discuss the various qualifications needed
to administer these tests and tie into the various health professions.
4. Ask students to develop a plan for reducing homelessness for the mentally
ill. Students should consider cost, feasibility, urban versus rural areas,
various disorders, as well as community impact.
Web Links
The website of the Canadian Psychological Association provides information on
the diverse sections of psychology, accreditation, and licensure:
www.cpa.ca
3
