Psychpolitics

Daniel 12:4 …..even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

Introduction

As we are unmistakably in the end of times as preachers of psychology we are well aware that psychological knowledge has been on the increase. It is from this increase that as custodians of psychological praxis we have noted that as people have sought to be informed they have been short changed in their quest and at times they have fallen in devious and charlatan hands which have misinformed them.

Counselling psychology and clinical psychology have been disciplines which have caused questions to emerge on their differences, which differences have been found to be no difference. Price (2009) is of the view that similarities between the two abound. Dr Joseph H Hammer assistant Professor of counselling psychology echoed that they are more similar than different. Morgen and Cohen (2008) in a study of analysing 61 counselling PhD programs, 137 clinical PhD programs and 34 clinical Psy D programs found that there are no significant difference between clinical and counselling psychology in terms of research clinical experience requirements and faculty characteristics. Roger and Stone (2017) opined that specialities of counselling psychology and clinical psychology evolved concurrently and at times, their paths of development intertwined. Freund (2016) states that both specializations share many functions. Steel (2016) is of the view that there is a lot of overlap between the two and because many psychologists work in a variety of settings, meaning they do both clinical and counselling psychology as part of their work. The two professions are similar in that they work as both as researchers and practitioners. It is lucid in the above views that the remains no difference between clinical psychology and counselling psychology.

Definitions and Etymology

Clinical derives from the Greek, Kline which means bed (and is also found in the root word ‘recline”). Counsel is from the Latin ‘consulere’ which means to consult advise or deliberate. Roger and Stone (2017) state that clinical practice has traditionally referred to, provided at the bedside of an ill patient. Clinical psychologists have traditionally studied disturbances in mental health, while counselling psychologists earliest role was to provide vocational guidance and advice. The striking similarity is that both have involved and revolved in advancing mental health, by providing psychological services in clinical psychology to people living with mental distress who were hospitalised to the now which involve non hospitalised. Counselling psychology can also provide counselling even to those hospitalised and also vocational guidance and psychotherapy in non hospitalized persons.

The definition of a psychology practice being clinical is defined by how the servicers are given, if direct services are given especially as on a face to face basis they become clinical. Steel (2016) is of the view that the term ‘clinical’ is often used generically in the sense that it describes a psychologist who is  licensed to provide direct services no matter what training they have completed. Freund (2016) echoes that both clinical psychologists and counselling are considered ‘licensed psychologists’.

Brief history of the specializations

The specializations have evolved, clinical psychology evolved from Freudian psychology and dealt with aspects normally thought as a domain of psychiatry before the World War II. It is after the war II due to the demand of psychological services mainly by veterans, clinical psychology took on issues previously thought as the domain or reserve of psychiatrists. After world war II or 1945 the differences between the two blurred as there was huge demand to reintegrate veterans into society (Roger and Stone 2017). In 1951, the Division of Personnel and Guidance Psychologists changed its name to Division of Counselling Psychology, in this way, the speciality formalized the expansion of its focus from sorely career issues to an emphasis on overall wellbeing throughout the life span. As the two disciplines have evolved and their differences becoming more blurred it is clear now than ever before that the two specializations are found to have similar skills and capabilities.

Legislative terminology

The two specialisations have striking similarities in their legislative terminology. Clinical psychology is an inclusive label used for both counselling and clinical psychologists in the context of legislation and legal issues, also the two have both the same ethical and legal rights responsibilities (Price 2009). Roger and Stone (2017) opined that clinical and counselling psychologists are licensed in all 50 states as licensed psychologists and as such are able to operate independently as psychologists. Hence the issue is also the same in Zimbabwe when after registration in diverse domains as psychologists and then they can practice independently. The legal terminology of the specialisations of the two are still the same in Zimbabwe as the recognition of counselling psychology in 2015 as a standalone discipline was preceded by the Mental Health Act 1996 and no any amendments were made to that effect.

Work settings and Training processes

Counselling psychologists work in the same settings as clinical psychologists. Counselling psychologists are employed in a wide range of settings including college and university counselling centers, university research and teaching positions, independent practice, health care settings, hospitals, organisational consulting groups and others (Roger and Stone 2017). Dr Joseph H Hammer states that the two specializations workplace location is similar.

As specializations the two have similar training process. Clinical psychology programs tend to emphasize in psychopathology training and external practicum opportunities, while counselling psychology programs emphasize multicultural training and a more holistic education (Price 2009). Hammer (2017) cites that the two are strongly applied fields, with assessments, diagnosis treatment of mental health/ behaviour disturbance done during their training and education.

The trajectory

It is from the above views that those who state that the clinical psychologist is superior and completely independently different from the clinical psychologist, can be best be described as mundane, malicious and nefarious. The clinical psychologists and counselling psychologists have similar training which is strongly applied. It is also important to note that in PhD studies carried by Morgen and Cohen (2008) stated that there are no significant differences with Clinical PhDs and Counselling PhDs. Hence it is a baseless and a no argument to deny a Msc counselling psychology graduate to study aspects of mental health at any level stating that he or she is not a clinical Masters degree holder as both have been proved by research as not significantly different.

There is no superior specialisation and such thinking is fallacy at its best. Clinical psychology after the world war took aspects mainly reserved for psychiatrists. Using psychoanalysis it managed to help veterans to reveal repressed aspects which they witnessed or underwent during the war. Counselling psychology evolved from career issues thus in 1951, Division of Personnel and Guidance psychology to Division 17 of Counselling psychology in so doing formalizing to an emphasis on overall wellbeing throughout life span. It is in this aspect that it touches on the positives of mental health practitioners, thus having a holistic sound mental being. It is clear from this that both specializations are for the overall mental wellbeing using therapy as both specializations have non prescribing powers and work with psychological therapies or principles to achieve their ends in mental health praxis.

It is imperative based on the research and clear sound thinking that discriminatory tendencies based on qualifications of an Msc Counseling psychologist and Clinical Psychologist, can only be extant and thrive based on misinformation, based on correct, proper information there will never be any room to discriminate.

Daniel 12: 4 ….even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

Prosper K Mushauri

Reference

Freund, D (2016). The Difference Between Clinical and Counseling Psychology

Hammer, J. H. (2017). Counselling psychology vs Clinical Psychology

Morgan, R. D. and Cohen, L. M. (2008). Clinical and Counseling psychology: Can differences be gleaned from printed recruiting materials? Training and Education in Professional Psychology, 2(3), 156-164.

Price, M. (2009) Counseling vs clinical programs: Similarities abound. GradPSYCH Magazine, American Psychological Association

Roger, P. R and Stone, G. (2017). Counselling Psychology vs Clinical Psychology. Society of Counseling Psychology, Division 17

Steel, A. (2016). Clinical vs Counseling 5 Core Differences: A Masters in Psychology Guide.com

The Holy Bible Authorized (Kings James) Version Daniel 12:4 Cambridge University press