AUXILLARY PERSONNEL

PSYCHOLOGIST

Study the human mind and behavior. The most popular area of specialization is clinical psychology.

Ø Area of Specialization

CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST

Aim to reduce psychological distress and enhance and promote psychological well-being. Often work in health and social care settings.

Clinical psychologists work with people of all ages who experience mental or physical health problems. These may include:

§  Anxiety and depression

§  Serious and enduring mental illness

§  Adjustment to physical illness

§  Neurological disorders

§  Addictive behaviors

§  Eating disorders

§  Behavior disorders

§  Personal and family relationship problems

§  Learning disabilities

Work activities of Clinical Psychologists:

·         Assessing a client’s needs, abilities or behavior using a variety of methods including psychometric tests, interviews and direct observation of behavior.

·         Working as part of a multidisciplinary team alongside doctors, nurses, social workers, education professionals, health visitors, school health nurses, occupational therapists and psychotherapists.

·         Devising and monitoring appropriate programs of treatment, including therapy, counseling in collaboration with colleagues.

·         Offering therapy for difficulties relating to anxiety, depression, addictions, social and interpersonal problems, challenging behaviors and, increasingly, a range of more difficult problems.

·         Rehabilitating long-stay patients into the community.

·         Developing and evaluating service provision.

·         Providing consultation to other professions, encouraging a psychological approach in their work.

·         Developing and supervising high-quality assessment and therapeutic work by colleagues in multidisciplinary teams.

·         Counseling and supporting careers.

·         Carrying-out applied research, adding to the evidence base of practice in a variety of health care settings.