Clinical and Counseling Psychology

[Buela_Vigneswaran]

Clinical and Counseling Psychology

This branch focuses on understanding, diagnosing, and treating mental health issues while promoting psychological well-being. Here's an overview:

1. Psychological Disorders

• Disorders are categorized based on symptoms and impacts on daily functioning.
• Common categories include:
  • Anxiety Disorders: Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Phobias.
  • Mood Disorders: Depression, Bipolar Disorder.
  • Personality Disorders: Borderline Personality Disorder, Narcissistic Personality Disorder.
  • Psychotic Disorders: Schizophrenia.
  • Trauma-Related Disorders: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

2. Diagnostic Systems

• DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders): Standard for diagnosing mental health conditions.
• ICD-11 (International Classification of Diseases): Covers mental and physical disorders globally.

3. Psychotherapy and Counseling Techniques

• Common approaches include:
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Focuses on changing negative thought patterns and behaviors.
  • Psychoanalysis: Explores unconscious motives and past experiences (Freudian approach).
  • Humanistic Therapy: Emphasizes personal growth and self-acceptance (e.g., Carl Rogers' client-centered therapy).
  • Behavioral Therapy: Targets maladaptive behaviors through techniques like exposure therapy.

4. Stress, Coping Mechanisms, and Resilience

• Stress management techniques:
  • Relaxation strategies (e.g., meditation, mindfulness).
  • Cognitive restructuring to manage stress-inducing thoughts.
• Building resilience involves fostering adaptability, social support, and emotional regulation.

5. Assessment and Treatment

• Psychological assessments:
  • Personality tests (e.g., MMPI, Rorschach inkblot test).
  • Intelligence tests (e.g., WAIS, Stanford-Binet).
• Treatment can involve therapy, medication (e.g., antidepressants, antipsychotics), or a combination.