Farrah Sharpe
Fielding Graduate University
Clinical Psychology and other Mental Health Professions
Shakespeare once wrote, “To be or not to be, that is the question.” Researching, contemplating, and typing these words is a choice to be. In the author’s opinion, the study of the human behavior is a calling. Any respectable individual in tune with the higher orders of their life begins to become the thing that he or she has imagined. In following the path of psychology, and becoming increasingly familiar with the expansive field of Clinical Psychology, a great deal of attention and research was given to contemplate the similarities and differences between this specialized field and other specialized mental health professions. Clinical Psychology, Psychiatric Technicians, Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC), Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW), Psychiatric Nurses, and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners will all cross paths during their career. Since all of these professions involve mental health and tend to treat the same client populations, the author found this exercise in learning to be informative and educational; allowing her to contemplate why she wants to be a clinical psychologist.
Clinical Psychology
There are many differences between Clinical Psychologists and other professions in the psychology and mental health fields. Like all the professions listed in this paper, Clinical Psychologists treat all socioeconomic backgrounds, assisting patients with a wide variety of psychological issues which span across the human lifespan. Clinical psychologists have a strong foundation in psychopathology and are expected to possess a wide range of communication and interpersonal skills. These skills include counseling, assessment, and treating mental and emotional disorders. Clinical psychologists similar to other mental health fields provide clinical services and counseling to men, women, children, and groups with mental and emotional problems in a variety of settings. Becoming a clinical psychologist along with all other mental health and psychology careers, involve extensive education and training. Clinical Psychologists, Psychiatric Technicians, Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC), Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW), Psychiatric Nurses, and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners are all required to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree. Clinical Psychology is the only specialty out of the above-mentioned professions that require earning a doctoral degree to practice. Some individuals who are certain that clinical psychology is the preferred career path for them, choose to enter a doctoral program directly after receiving their bachelor’s degree. There are two principal doctorate possibilities for a Clinical Psychologist. The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) which is designed for those that anticipate a career involving both research and client treatment. The second designation is the Doctor of Psychology (PsyD.), which is designed for individuals planning to primarily treat clients with little to no research as a part of their practice. Both designations require an additional four to six years of further study, training, internships, and both pre and postdoctoral experience is required to receive state licensure.
Psychiatric Technician
Psychiatric Technicians provide hands-on care for individuals with mental or emotional conditions or disabilities. Psychiatric Technicians receive instructions from higher level health practitioners such as Clinical Psychologists, Psychiatrists, Psychiatric Nurses and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners. Becoming a Psych Tech requires a master’s degree in a mental health or developmental disabilities field, and at least three years of experience working in a mental health field. Psychiatric Technicians require examinations for reaching certifications levels 1 – 4. (American Association of Psychiatric Technicians, 2007) Psychiatric Technicians work in hospitals, institutions, substance abuse facilities and specialty areas such as university’s or research centers. Their primary responsibilities are monitoring patients, administering medication and providing assistance with personal hygiene, patient rehabilitation and reporting changes in patient behavior. Individuals in this field tend to possess a great amount of compassion as some institutions provide services to patients who are deemed undesirable by society and who are sometimes abandoned by family.
Licensed Professional Counselors
Licensed Professional Counselors or (LPC) like Psychiatric Technicians are also masters degreed professionals; although some LPC’s choose to complete doctoral degree counseling programs. LPC’s are required to complete 3,000 hours of post-masters clinical experience within two years of completion of their degree program. Licensed professional counselors and members of the other non-physician mental health professions of psychology, clinical social work, marriage and family therapy, and psychiatric nursing provide the large majority of mental health services in the U.S. (American Counseling Association, 2011) LPC’s, like the other professions researched in this paper, are required to adhere to a strict Code of Ethics and to follow the requirements of the state where the professional licensing will be obtained. Professional counselors are licensed to diagnosis and treat mental and emotional disorders, including addictive disorders; psychoeducational techniques aimed at the prevention of such disorders; consultation to individuals, couples, families, groups, and organizations; and research into more effective therapeutic treatment modalities. (American Counseling Association, 2011) Licensed Professional Counselors are client centered veering away from illness centered models of treatment to more holistic models of treatment.
Licensed Clinical Social Workers
Licensed Clinical Social Workers or (LCSW) work with a broad population of individuals experiencing poverty, illness, loss, divorce, addiction, and a wide variety of other psychosocial issues. Social workers are primarily concerned with service, social justice, dignity, and worth of the person, the importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence. (National Association of Social Workers, 2008) LCSW’s seek to improve the lives of individuals and families by assisting them in addressing their everyday needs through psychosocial services and advocacy. In the author’s opinion, a Clinical Psychologist would not partake in this line of assistance for a client, and if so, it would be done on a case by case basis. A Clinical Psychologist would call on the assistance of a Licensed Clinical Social Worker to assist clients in receiving the proper social services to get them the help they need. LCSW’s help clients to cope in difficult life situations. Social workers are master degreed professionals and unlike Clinical Psychologists, are not required to have a doctorate to practice.
Psychiatric Nurses
In a previous paper, the profession of Psychiatry was presented and compared to Clinical Psychology. The primary findings were that Psychiatrists are medical doctors that complete full medical training with a specialty in Psychiatry. The primary differences between Clinical Psychologist and Psychiatrist are that Psychiatrist diagnosis mental illness and write prescriptions. Clinical Psychologist use psychotherapy, critical thinking, and complex problem solving to assist individuals who require psychological care. Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners like Psychiatrists also are able to diagnosis and prescribe medication. Similar to Clinical Psychologists, they tend to spend more time with the patient. They work at a variety of places that include, but are not limited to; hospitals, mental health clinics, and their own private practices. Psychiatric Nurses like Clinical Psychologists, Professional Counselors, and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners also perform therapy sessions with clients experiencing psychological issues that can be resolved with counseling.
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners (PNP)
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners are somewhat similar to Psychiatric Nurses but are considered advanced specialists; who earn bachelors in nursing and master’s or a specialized doctoral degree in psychiatric-mental health nursing. PNP’s care for individuals and families with psychiatric disorders, implements the nursing process, and evaluates the effectiveness for a wide variety of psychological issues. Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners, unlike Clinical Psychologists, are registered nurses and apply the nursing process to assess, diagnose, and treat individuals with psychiatric disorders. Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners much like Psychiatrists and Psychiatric Nurses also have the authority to diagnosis and prescribe medication for disorders using their full scope of therapeutic skills. (American Psychiatric Nurses Association, 2014)
Conclusion
Although there are many differences found within the details of the listed mental health and psychological professions, there are many common links that bind them all. The major differences noted while researching the listed professions contained within this paper are that Clinical Psychology is similar to the listed professions, but it is still quite unique. Clinical Psychologists are required to obtain a Ph.D. or PsyD to practice. It is also noted that Clinical Psychologists spend more time in research than is required by any of the listed professionals. Clinical Psychologists integrate a deep understanding of psychopathology, assessment, and consultation into their practice. Successful Clinical Psychologists are noted to be mindful and knowledgeable about current scientific and scholarly developments in psychology. It is also noted that even though Clinical Psychologists sometimes work alone in private practices; they eventually come into contact with professionals in various mental health and psychology fields for the benefit of the client. In closing, the author would like to add that while researching the various psychological professions, one major similarity stands out above the rest; they all have a positive impact on the lives of many and they all inspire hope in the lives of many.
References
American Psychiatric Nurses Association. (2014). About Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses – American Psychiatric Nurses Association. Retrieved May 23, 2015, from http://www.apna.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3292#sthash.3RVOB0Hk.dpuf
American Association of Psychiatric Technicians. (2007). The Certification Process. Retrieved May 23, 2015, from http://www.psychtechs.org/cert.shtml
National Association of Social Workers. (2008). Code of Ethics. Retrieved May 23, 2015, from http://www.naswdc.org/pubs/code/code.asp
Who Are Licensed Professional Counselors? (2011). Retrieved May 21, 2015, from https://www.counseling.org/PublicPolicy/WhoAreLPCs.pdf
Running Head: REFLECTIONS ON THE EVOLUTION
Reflections on the Evolution of Clinical Psychology
Farrah Sharpe
Fielding Graduate University
Reflections on the Evolution of Clinical Psychology
Looking back over the last 50 years of clinical psychology and its contributions to sociopolitical, cultural, technological, and educational advances; what is experienced in everyday life today would seem like a fantasy 50 years ago. It’s the year 2065 and society is in the middle of what has been called “The Urban Peace Keep.” The UPK is a designation bringing awareness to the point that there have been no crime or acts of violence in the United States for over 11 months as of today. The sociopolitical advances in clinical psychology began in the early part of the century in the year 2015. The peace society experiences today arose out of the growing fear and discontentment experienced on a daily basis by the majority of society in 2015. Due to the overwhelming questions about the nature of reality, human potential, happiness and consciousness; clinical psychologists began placing emphasis on understanding the psychology of consciousness and embracing all aspects of the human being.
A cross-disciplinary study of consciousness, clinical psychology, social, cognitive, humanistic, and neuropsychology began. The results of this research produced new ways of using the human brain and the implementation of these new techniques changed America. During this time, the surge of knowledge was known as “the age of consciousness” which still continues to this day. Many new theories and methodologies on how consciousness behaves and what it is capable of were introduced. The scientific study of conscious phenomena and experiences allowed psychologists to think outside of traditional thinking and integrate new understandings of how the human mind works into the educational system. Conscious clinical approaches were applied in schools to children ages 7-17 in the year 2027. The results were inconceivable. The first advances witnessed were improvements in cognition, perception, attention, awareness, and memory. As neuropsychologist’s continued testing and studying the results, studies showed an increase in neuroplasticity in all children in areas of the brain that were previously inactive. The neuroscience and psychobiology of consciousness lead to a restructuring of the American educational system and programs K- 12. Higher education students also began learning content that reflected the new learnings. In the first ten years of its use, conscious educational studies showed that children were smarter, happier, and inventive. Children experienced and intergraded a new level of thinking. They used their knowledge to further evolve their understanding of how things work; and they changed the world. Clinical psychology and its advanced practices in consciousness produced a more highly evolved species.
The technological advances in clinical psychology over the last 50 years have been monumental. In further reflection, the year 2033 was a wonderful year for research and clinical psychology. The American Psychological Association informed the American population that the human brain was able to be modified, restructured, and enhanced based on the specifications of the individual. Clinical Psychologist used hypnosis, brainwave entrainment, meditation, yoga, EEG suggestion machines, and mindfulness to reformat the brain allowing the individual to learn any subject they choose within a 2-3 hour session. This process augmented intelligence in adults and children with no side effects. 2033 started a wave of increased intelligence and consciousness in the United States. Based on methodology and rigorous clinical case studies, the sociocultural effects of consciousness was staggering.
Once it began, everything happened quickly, people were smarter, they understood more and society began to work in unison to create a peaceful world. At first, people created happiness for themselves. Once this was achieved, people taught their families, communities, and states. Finally, the whole country was crime free due to increased intelligence.
A major factor in this great wave of intelligence and peace was when clinical psychologist’s received plant medicine privileges in the year 2025. The cultural advances shocked the nation and the same shamanistic, mind-wandering hallucinogens that frightened people in 2015 and were classified as illegal, became “sacred neuroscience medicine” and was nicknamed “the Great Mother” and “the plant teachers” by industry professionals. Plant medicines were found to be gateways to consciousness and mystics, shamans, sages, and spiritual teachers were now accepted with open arms into scientific circles.
In the year 2026 Clinical psychologists joined forces with Shamans and began controlled clinical trials using plant medicines with murderers, serial killers, child molesters, sex offenders, drug addicts, schizophrenics, and patients experiencing various other mental illnesses. The empirical research changed the planet. Theoretical papers, critical analyses, and literature reviews were completed in droves. Scientific knowledge had changed and evolved and in so doing, this changed society. In the authors opinion, the last 50 years of clinical psychology has been the greatest explosion of knowledge in history. The study and application of consciousness welcomed groundbreaking theories and practices in human evolution, extrasensory perception, cognition, and the clinical applications from this time in history will continue to evolve our species for years to come.
Mind-Body Medicine with Farrah Sharpe 