Peachy F.

Clinical psychology is the scientific study of mental health, personality and everyday adjustment. It is the branch of psychology engaged in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of psychological problems, i.e., mental, emotional and or behavioral problems. It is a specialty that involves the application of psychology for the purpose of understanding, preventing, and addressing psychologically-based distress or dysfunction. Competencies: Through their practice, clinical psychologists are qualified to undertake the following functions: A. Assess individuals toward diagnosing the nature and causes of mental, emotional, and or behavioral problems, and understanding how these psychological problems manifest in their current levels of functioning using various clinical tools such as but is not limited to interviewing, observation, and psychological evaluation. B. Conduct therapeutic interventions directed at identifying the emotional conflicts, personality disturbance, and skills deficits underlying a person’s distress and/or dysfunction, and facilitate the healing process, using various theoretical orientations, modalities and techniques relevant and appropriate to the needs of the person. C. Supervise or train students (in practicum or internship programs) and novice practitioners (training and actual work supervision programs) in their conduct of assessment and psychotherapeutic interventions. D. Provide consultancy services in different settings (e.g., hospitals, schools, nongovernmental organizations, communities, mental health facilities) that require clinical psychological services. E. Conduct research in the area of clinical psychology to help improve and enrich the current practice of Clinical Psychology in the Philippines.