The Differences Between Clinical Psychology And Health Psychology
Clinical psychology and health psychology are two distinct disciplines within the field of psychology. Although we can sometimes confuse them due to their similarities, they have certain differences that should be known.
What can a clinical psychologist work on? And one about health? Do they have the same powers? Can both diagnose? In this article we will resolve these and other doubts related to the differences between clinical psychology and health psychology.
Differences between clinical psychology and health psychology
There are notable differences between clinical psychology and health psychology; In fact, these are two disciplines that, although they provide feedback and interact, are independent and well differentiated.
We are going to analyze the most important differences between one and the other: among other questions, we will answer the following: are they both about the same thing? What are your objectives? What do they focus on? On a professional level, what is each figure in charge of?
Goals
The objectives of these two disciplines are very different; while clinical psychology tries to identify and apply psychological principles to prevent and treat the person’s psychological problems Health Psychology aims to maintain health, prevent and treat disease, as well as identify the different causes that are causing the disease.
That is, to fully understand the differences between clinical psychology and health psychology, we must stick with the fundamental idea that clinical psychology is more responsible for treating the disease once it has appeared (or, rather, the mental disorder) ( this also includes your diagnosis), while Health psychology is more focused on disease prevention and health promotion.
In addition, health psychology also aims to improve the health system and promote the formation of health policy. Thus, in this sense, it would encompass a broader system than the patient himself, more typical of clinical psychology (always speaking in general terms).
What does each one do?
Some authors have also given their opinion on the differences between clinical psychology and health psychology; For example, in 1991 Marino Pérez established that Health psychology deals with psychological issues that may have physiological consequences while clinical psychology deals with psychological problems themselves.
Regarding health psychology, a nuance: The reverse case also occurs ; That is, health psychology also focuses on the psychological consequences that certain health or physiological problems may trigger.
They would also come into play here. the person’s illness behaviors (actions that people take when they experience symptoms of illness), as well as the patient’s interaction with the health system at the institutional level.
Areas of intervention
The last thing we explained is in line with what another author, Santacreu (1991), believes that health psychology focuses on health (on its promotion), as well as on the prevention of disease, and It also understands the organism (at a somatic and psychological level) in relation to its social, family and health environment (within that context).
Clinical psychology, on the other hand, focuses more on illness and “cure.” , and understands or treats the organism at an individual level (psychological and somatic as well). This does not mean that it does not take into account the context and family relationships, but rather that it is treated more individually, and on the other hand, health psychology deals more with the health “system” into which the person enters.
On the other hand, health psychology focuses on all those components or aspects associated with physical health and illness, at a cognitive, emotional and behavioral level. That is to say, focuses on the person’s physical health and illness, as well as the care of their physical health (which is actually related to mental health).
However, clinical psychology has as its primary concern evaluate, predict and alleviate mental disorders (that is, disorders associated with mental health, such as a depressive disorder, an anxious disorder or a schizophrenic disorder).
Academic and professional field: PIR or MGS?
At an academic and professional level, we also find differences between clinical and health psychology.
On the one hand, to be a clinical psychologist and practice as such in Spain, after completing the degree in Psychology, you must complete the PIR (Resident Internal Psychologist). The PIR consists of an exam that allows you to obtain a place as a resident, through 4 years of specialized health training in a hospital (which includes rotations through the different units).
After 4 years of PIR residency in a hospital, one is already a psychologist specializing in clinical psychology (PECPC), also called a clinical psychologist, and can work in both the public health sector (for example in hospitals) and the private sector (for example in mental health centers).
However, the health psychologist It would be more comparable to the General Sanitary Master (MGS) ; This Master’s degree can be completed once the four years of the degree in Psychology have been completed. It allows you to obtain the professional skills to practice as a health psychologist, which basically include health promotion through psychological intervention or therapy; Technically (or legally), however, they cannot diagnose (which clinical psychologists can do).
