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Clinical Psychologist

Provides therapy for complex mental health conditions using evidence-based psychological treatments.

Did you know?

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), which grew from Aaron Beck's cognitive therapy of the late 1950s and 60s, works as well as medication for milder depression.

How subjects help

• Psychology: Use proven therapies to treat problems like severe anxiety, trauma or eating disorders.
• Biology: Understand how brain chemistry and illness can affect a patient's mood and thinking.
• Statistics: Score assessment questionnaires and track whether a patient is improving over time.
• Research Methods: Design careful studies to test which treatments work best and for whom.

A famous name

Lightner Witmer: Opened the world's first psychological clinic in 1896 and coined the term "clinical psychology".

Try it yourself: Trick your brain with colour words

1. On one sheet, write 12 colour words (red, blue, green…), each in its own matching colour. On a second sheet, write the same words in the wrong colours, such as "red" in blue.
2. Time yourself saying the ink colour, not the word, down the first sheet as fast as you can.
3. Now time yourself saying the ink colour down the second sheet. Count any mistakes too.
4. Compare your two times, then test a partner. Why do you think the second sheet is so much harder?

Psychologists use the Stroop test to measure attention and self-control, and clinical psychologists use versions of it as one part of assessing attention or the effects of a brain injury.

Adapted from Neuroscience for Kids (University of Washington): Stroop Effect.

Also try: Trace a trait through a family tree.

Known for it in

USA, UK, Australia, Netherlands, Canada

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