Clinical and Forensic Psychology

I am often asked what is Forensic Psychology exactly?  How is psychology useful with corpses?  And what do you mean by “Clinical Psychology”? So, in this blog article, I’ll endeavor to clarify one and the other.  

What is clinical psychology?

Clinical psychology is the branch of psychology that deals specifically that provides mental and behavioural health care for individuals and families. Clinical psychologists also provide consultation to agencies and communities as well as training, education, and supervision. Clinicians are strongly encouraged to use evidence-based practices.  Evidence-based practices are interventions, either in psychotherapy or psychological assessments, that are supported by empirical research.  Essentially, evidence-based practices have been shown in controlled studies to be effective for particular psychological conditions or, in the case of assessments, practices that respect the integrity of psychometric tools (e.g. personality tests/inventories) and standardized testing protocols.  

In Clinical psychology, the focus is often to provide relief to psychologically-based distress or dysfunction and to promote subjective well-being and personal development but clinical psychologists are also involved in performance enhancement (such as in sports psychology) and research.  

Earlier in the profession, the first half of the 20th century, clinical psychology was mostly concerned about assessments but, as more and more clinicians were being trained, more were involved in psychotherapy.   Clinical psychologists have different approaches/theoretical orientation generally train within four primary theoretical orientations—psychodynamic, humanistic, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), and systems or family therapy.

Clinical psychologists typically work in mental health system, mental health clinics, Veteran centres/OSI clinics (Operational Stress Injuries) hospitals and private clinics.

What is forensic psychology?

When people hear the term “forensic psychology” they often assume it has to do with Criminal Scene Investigation (CSC) as made famous by CSI Miami and others similar programs.  In fact, Forensic science, in general, is the application of science to criminal and civil laws.  While it is true that forensic psychologists are involved in “profiling” (developing a criminal profile based on crime characteristics) and consulted in criminal investigations, the most frequent activity of forensic psychologists has to do with predicting sexual or violent recidivism and Court testimony.  Forensic psychologists may also be called upon to do “psychological autopsies” where they derive a personality and behavioural profile from the history of the person.  

Essentially, Forensic Psychologists are called upon for their knowledge of criminal psychology and behaviour as well as their knowledge of the justice system and process.  

Canadian forensic psychologists have made large and frequent contributions to the field of sexual recidivism and to correctional psychology.  Forensic psychologists typically work in correctional facilities, federal or provincial prisons, and penitentiaries, as well as in private clinics and centres.

As you can see, forensic psychology is not about corpses but about being involved in the criminal justice system and/or the civil Courts as a consultant while in clinical practice your role is to help individuals to adapt to life and various challenges they may face, from a psychological perspective.

À la prochaine!

Bernard