Offering wide ranging coverage of the discipline of clinical psychology today, this book considers the difficulties tackled by clinical psychologists and the approaches and models they use.

Clinical psychology makes a significant contribution to mental health care across the world. The essence of the discipline is the creative application of the knowledge base of psychology to the unique, personal experiences of individuals who are facing difficulties or changes in their lives. Rather than addressing such experiences as primarily a medical, political or legal problem, clinical psychologists approach personal distress as an unhappy outcome of certain ways of thinking, behaving and relating, often occurring within difficult social, cultural or economic circumstances. Clinical psychologists work with people to try and help them change what is distressing or concerning them, based on a belief in the value of the individual to determine what happens to them and on the importance of using approaches which have been demonstrated through research to be effective. In this Very Short Introduction Susan Llewellyn and Katie Aafjes-van Doorn provide insights into the world of clinical psychologists and their clients or patients, and cover the range of domains of practice, the difficulties tackled, and the approaches and models used. They consider the challenges and controversies facing the profession today, and also how it varies across the globe. Finally, they discuss the key questions surrounding clinical psychology, such as whether it should compete or collaborate with psychiatry, how far it is yet another instrument of social control, what new technology can offer in the future, and whether clinical psychology can ever really be considered a science. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

Considering a career as a Clinical Psychologist? This book is an ideal, jargon-free introduction for those wishing to find out more about working in this demanding but rewarding mental health profession. An accessible text that invites you to think critically about whether becoming a Clinical Psychologist is right for you, questioning and challenging your views and providing an honest perspective of life as a clinical psychologist. Written from personal experience of over 10 years working in applied psychology, with a unique knowledge of the practice, theory, and application of Clinical Psychology, Paul Jenkins provides a first-hand perspective, blending anecdotes with factual advice on the clinical academic culture. It is also packed with case studies which highlight a range of different career pathways (including in other mental health fields) and includes coverage of post-qualification life to gives the reader a sense of the career you can have after training. "If you are considering clinical psychology as a career, this excellent book is essential reading. Paul Jenkins describes the pathway to professional qualification, and all aspect of the job in an exciting and informative style." Alan Carr, PhD Professor of Clinical Psychology, University College Dublin

A Short Introduction to Clinical Psychology gives an accessible overview of the field for psychology students and anyone considering training as a clinical psychologist. Setting out the theoretical and practical dimensions of clinical psychology, the authors examine its origins, knowledge base and applications with different client groups, in different contexts and through different modalities (individuals, groups, couples, families and organizations). They also highlight issues affecting everyday practice - from professional relationships to government policy. Drawing on the first-hand experiences of people who have recently qualified, the book describes the process of training and the transition that takes place from trainee to practitioner. Throughout, the book captures a sense of clinical psychology as a dynamic and changing field which has grown up fast alongside other more established professions involved in mental health care and which is continuing to evolve in response to contemporary needs. As an overview of the field, A Short Introduction to Clinical Psychology is an ideal text for undergraduate and post-graduate students in psychology and as initial reading for clinical psychology courses.

Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) revolutionized the way in which we think about ourselves. From its beginnings as a theory of neurosis, Freud developed psycho-analysis into a general psychology which became widely accepted as the predominant mode of discussing personality and interpersonal relationships. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

It's hard to think of a single aspect of American culture, past or present, in which religion has not played a major role. The roles religion plays, moreover, become more bewilderingly complex and diverse every day. For all those who want--whether out of curiosity, necessity, or civic duty--a vivid picture and fuller understanding of the current reality of religion in America, this Very Short Introduction is the go-to book they need. Timothy Beal describes many aspects of religion in contemporary America that are typically ignored in other books on the subject, including religion in popular culture and counter-cultural groups; the growing phenomenon of "hybrid" religious identities, both individual and collective; the expanding numbers of new religious movements, or NRMs, in America; and interesting examples of "outsider religion," such as Paradise Gardens in Georgia and the People Love People House of God in Ohio. He also offers an engaging overview of the history of religion in America, from Native American traditions to the present day. Beal sees three major forces shaping the present and future of religion in America: first, unprecedented religious diversity, which will continue to grow in the decades to come; second, the information revolution and the emergence of a new network society; and third, the rise of consumer culture. Taken together, these forces offer the potential to create a new American pluralism that would enrich society in unimaginable ways, but they also threaten the great ideal of e pluribus unum. With visual aids that help readers navigate America's diverse religious landscape, this informative, thoughtful, and provocative book is a must-read in the emerging public conversation concerning religion in America. About the Series: Combining authority with wit, accessibility, and style, Very Short Introductions offer an introduction to some of life's most interesting topics. Written by experts for the newcomer, they demonstrate the finest contemporary thinking about the central problems and issues in hundreds of key topics, from philosophy to Freud, quantum theory to Islam.

The Handbook of Intellectual Disability and Clinical Psychology Practice will equip clinical psychologists in training with the skills necessary to complete a clinical placement in the field of intellectual disability. The book is divided into seven sections, which cover conceptual frameworks, assessment frameworks and intervention frameworks, and the specific problems that arise in infancy and early childhood, middle childhood, adolescence and adulthood. Chapters combine discussion of the theoretical and empirical issues with practical considerations. The authors incorporate detailed practice descriptions throughout, which will allow clinicians to use the book as a step-by-step guide to clinical work. Practice exercises are also included where relevant to aid skills development. This comprehensive, evidence-based practice Handbook will prove an invaluable resource for anyone undertaking postgraduate training in clinical psychology, as well as practising clinical psychologists, psychiatrists and psychotherapists. The Handbook of Intellectual Disability and Clinical Psychology Practice is one of a set of three Handbooks published by Routledge, which includes The Handbook of Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychology and The Handbook of Adult Clinical Psychology (Edited by Alan Carr & Muireann McNulty).

What is Clinical Psychology? is the standard first text for those seeking to specialize in clinical psychology. It describes the full range of current practice in clinical psychology and the more closely related aspects of other areas of applied psychology in healthcare and psychological therapies.

Clinical psychology is one of the fastest growing health care professions. Written for non-specialists by leading clinicians and researchers, this book explains what clinical psychology is and what clinical psychologists do. It describes the conceptual framework which clinical psychologists adopt and the rationale for their techniques. It then provides detailed case studies and examples to illustrate the methods. It also includes lists of further reading and a glossary of terms. This new edition has been comprehensively revised to take into account the ongoing changes in the health care and the continued expansion of the profession of clinical psychology.The book includes new chapters on clinical neuropsychology, physical disability, and the work of the psychologist in general medical settings. Other significant new material covers changes to the training of clinical psychologists in the UK, psychological work with the severely mentally ill, and developments in primary health care.

Oxford's Very Short Introductions series offers concise and original introductions to a wide range of subjects -- from Islam to Sociology, Literary Theory to History, and Archaeology to the Bible. Not simply a textbook of definitions, each volume provides trenchant and provocative -- yet always balanced and complete -- discussions of the central issues in a given discipline or field. Every Very Short Introduction gives a readable evolution of the subject in question, demonstrating how the subject developed and how it influenced society. Eventually, the series will encompass every major academic discipline, offering all readers an accessible and abundant reference library. Whatever area of study one deems important or appealing, whatever topic fascinates the general reader, the Very Short Introductions series has a handy and affordable guide that will likely prove indispensable. Copyright © Libri GmbH. All rights reserved.