Abstract
Critical thinking in clinical psychology plays a major role in determining how the professional will respond to the specific client situation. This paper focuses on clinical psychologists. In essence, the ability to think is examined. The psychologists’ interests and skills required in this field are explored in this study. The study also looks at what it means to be a critical thinker in a specific psychology field. There is a variety of clinical psychologists and are recognized in this paper. Finally, the study lists some graduate programs offering degrees in clinical psychology.
Introduction
Critical thinking refers to the ability to apply reasonableness in solving a problem. It is a form of thinking that is founded on principles of level-headedness. For years, psychological scientists have held diverse positions regarding critical thinking in clinical psychology. They fundamentally agree that clinical thinking is essential in the development of practicing clinical psychology.
Clinical psychologists
The majority of clinical psychologists improve proficiency in precise fields. Others practice in the sub-specialization of clinical psychology. In whichever specialization area, clinical psychologists offer a variety of psychosomatic services to clients traversing the lifecycle. Additionally, they offer the services for psychological disorders ranging from minor to plain to intricate. Additionally, the practitioners may engage in investigation, training, and management. They may also engage in program expansion and assessment. Furthermore, they may engage in the development of public policy that enhances mental wellbeing.
Irrespective of the field of specialty, clinical psychologists help clients in situations of major life-threatening psychological problems. They also engage in solving somatic disturbances and challenging life changeovers. These psychological problems usually trigger nervousness, sadness, obsessive behaviors, and similar mental problems that inhibit day-to-day existence. Clinical psychologists have the choice of lecturing in an institution, including universities. They may work in associations that may require their services. In whichever environment they work, the professionals execute the important role of assisting clients in getting rid of suffering and resume to normalcy in their lives (Boisvert and Faust, 2006).
The ability to thinking critically
A critical aspect that is interlinked with decision making in clinical psychology practice is the level of a clinician’s ability to think critically. This includes the choices made by the clinical psychologist in choosing therapeutic techniques to be applied (Sharp & Hebert, 2003). Clinicians with a strong ability to evaluate arguments may be less probable to admit unreliable confirmation as supportive of innovative psychotherapy.
A critical thinker must have the capacity to cognitively, actively, and systematically examine, evaluate, and understand events. They must be able to solve problems and make decisions based on sound reasoning and usable evidence. In addition to problem-solving skills, they must be able to assess the evidence that has the potential to challenge an individual’s beliefs or goals. Powerful critical thinkers are better capable of evaluating the impact that their existing opinions have on their capability to reason. Critical thinkers must be able to confine the impact of these beliefs on their capability to solve problems.
Interest and skills in clinical psychologist
In order to effectively work as a clinical psychologist, an individual must have the desire to feel the enormous, passionate, and psychosomatic fulfillment of assisting clients in trouncing emotive and mental challenges. As opposed to psychoanalysts, clinical psychologists do not recommend prescriptions. Clinical psychologists handle the psychological problems using a diversity of methods that are contingent in a measure upon the areas of operations. In addition to the interest that the clinical psychologists must have to function in the profession effectively, there are skills and qualities that are essential (Melchert, 2007). The professionals must be capable of creating a bond with the clients. Some of the analysis and management are given by clinical psychologists require the guardianship of comprehensive private documents. The capability to keep good records is essential. The clinical psychologist needs the ability to afford precise objectives to the clients. They must be able to assess the progress of the clients’ conditions. Efficient communication and interactive skills are crucial in any clinical psychology specialty. These include teaching and training.
What it means to be a critical thinker in psychology
Psychology is concerned with the analysis of human behaviors and activities conducted by individuals from a mental perspective. These activities and conducts may lead a psychologist to identify the mental activities in the brain of the individual. This makes critical thinking an exceedingly essential part of this process. The psychologist must be able to apply special analytical abilities to distinguish between what something seems to be from what it really is (Finn, 2011). Research into critical thinking in clinical psychology indicates that critical thinkers may often have prejudiced results that may lead to harm. The research is based on the fact individuals with such training possess prejudiced affirmative self-assessment. Consequently, it leads the critical thinker into believing that due to their above-average aptitude and with the finest intentions, the outcome is always as desired. However, this may result in unintentional harm.
Types of clinical psychologists
Psychology refers to the scientific learning of human thought and conduct. A huge number of people are attracted to psychology. In fact, it is among the most prevalent degrees for study in major universities and other intermediary institutions. However, the possession of a degree in psychology does not equal to being a registered practitioner psychologist. The latter is a lawfully controlled profession with postgraduate credentials in applying psychosomatic science to a specific issue. Contemporarily, there are seven types of psychologists. These include Clinical Psychologists, Counseling Psychologists, Educational Psychologists, Forensic Psychologists, Health Psychologists, Occupational Psychologists, and Sports & Exercise Psychologists.
Clinical psychologists specialization is founded on the framework the individual takes in training to become a clinical psychologist. The selection of the hypothetical basics in pursuing the career determines the type of clinical psychologist one becomes. The individual may choose to pursue cognitive-behavior psychology or psychodynamic psychology. Additionally, one may pursue humanistic psychology or family organization. Others are affirmative psychology, transpersonal, or existential psychology. The successful completion of any of these studies results in the individual becoming a clinical psychologist. Specialty in clinical psychology may as well be attained through the focus on an explicit illness, including sadness, derangement, obsession, or educational disabilities. The clinical psychologist may focus on a specific demographic, including kids, families, grownups, and senior citizens (Kamhi, 2011).
Graduate program offering clinical psychology degrees
The increasing demand for psychology services globally has equally increased the demand for clinical psychology training programs. Typically, the profession requires a degree prior to practicing. Clinical psychology graduates may find employment in schools or engage in private practice. Psychology disorders are also on the increase requiring healthcare institutions to expand their facilities. In the United States, almost every college and the university has a clinical psychology program, given the high number of individuals with psychological disorders arising from among many others drug abuse and biological disorders. Leading universities that offer this program include the University of California, University of North Carolina, University of Washington, and the University of Wisconsin, among many others.
Conclusion
Critical thinking is paramount in clinical psychology. It should be viewed as a goal in delivering effective service to clients. Irrespective of the field of specialty, clinical psychologists help overcome psychological problems; hence critical thinking to make an appropriate decision is essential. The involvement of human clients makes it essential for clinical psychologists to train in critical thinking.
References
Boisvert, C. & Faust, D. (2006). Practicing psychologists’ knowledge of general psychotherapy research findings: Implications for science – practice relations. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 37(1), 708-716. Web.
Finn, P. (2011). Critical thinking: Knowledge and skills for evidence-based practice. Language, Speech and Hearing Services in Schools, 42(1), 69-72. Web.
Kamhi, A. (2011). Balancing certainty and uncertainty in clinical practice. Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools, 42(1), 59–64. Web.
Melchert, T. (2007). Strengthening the scientific foundations of professional psychology: Time for the next steps. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 38(1), 34-43. Web.
Sharp, I. & Hebert, J. (2003). The role of critical thinking skills in practicing clinical psychologists’ choice of Intervention techniques. The Scientific Review of Mental health Practice, 6(1), 21-30. Web.