Abstract
The purpose of this chapter is to introduce briefly most of the arguments that will be expanded in the following chapters. By way of introduction, before going back in history, it is necessary to define the terms used in the title of this volume. Clinical psychology is meant to include psychological evaluation as the most specific and unique contribution that this profession has made, can make, and should make. However, in addition to evaluation, different types of interventions, not unique to clinical psychology, and overlapping with other mental health professions are self-help, health promotion, illness prevention, crisis-intervention or psychotherapy, and rehabilitation. None of these approaches are specific to clinical psychology, only psychological evaluation is. All other types of interventions are shared with other mental health disciplines and professions. All these approaches usually imply an f2f, tb, 1on1 professional relationship between a professional helper and clients, either singly, or in couples, or in families and groups. These brief definitions will be expanded in subsequent chapters.
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L’Abate, L. (2013). Historical Introduction to Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy. In: Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy as a Science. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-4451-0_1
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