The differences between clinical psychology and health psychology

Clinical psychology and health psychology are two different disciplines within the field of psychology. Although sometimes we can confuse them because of their similarities, they have certain differences that should be known.

What can a clinical psychologist do? And one of health? Do they have the same skills? Can both diagnose? In this article we will resolve these and other questions related to the differences between clinical psychology and health psychology.

• Related article: "Health Psychology: history, definition and fields of application"

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: do they both treat the same thing? What are your goals? What do they focus on one and the other? At 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 say, to fully understand the differences between clinical psychology and health psychology, we must stay with the fundamental idea that clinical psychology is more in charge of treating the disease once it has appeared (or, rather, the mental disorder) (this also includes its diagnosis), while health psychology is more focused on disease prevention and the promotion of health.

In addition, health psychology also aims to improve the health system and promote the formation of a health policy. Thus, in this sense, it would encompass a broader system than the patient itself, more typical of clinical psychology (always speaking in general terms).

What does each one deal with?

Some authors have also opined 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 the psychology of health, a nuance: the reverse case also occurs; that is, health psychology also focuses on the psychological consequences that may trigger certain health or physiological problems.

Here they would also come into play the person's illness behaviors (actions that people perform when they experience symptoms of disease), as well as the interaction of the patient with the health system at the institutional level.

Areas of intervention

The latter that we explained is in line with the opinion of another author, Santacreu (1991), who considers that health psychology focuses on health (on promoting it), as well as in disease prevention, and 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 the disease and the "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" where the person.

• You may be interested in: "The 8 benefits of going to psychological therapy"

What is each focused on?

On the other hand, health psychology focuses on all those components or aspects associated with health and physical illness, at a cognitive, emotional and behavioral level. That is to say, focuses on the health and physical illness of the person, as well as on the care of their physical health (which is actually related to mental health).

However, clinical psychology has as its primary concern assess, predict and alleviate mental disorders (ie disorders associated with mental health, such as a depressive disorder, an anxiety disorder or a schizophrenic disorder).

Academic and professional field: PIR or MGS?

At an academic and professional level, we also found 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 take the PIR (Resident Internal Psychologist). The PIR consists of an exam that allows obtaining 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 clinical psychologist, and can work both in the public health field (for example in hospitals) and private (for example in health centers mental).

However, the health psychologist it would be more equated to the Master General Sanitary (MGS); This Master's degree can be completed once the four-year degree in Psychology has been completed. It allows obtaining the professional skills to practice as a health psychologist, which basically include the promotion of health through psychological intervention or therapy; technically (or legally), however, they cannot diagnose (which clinical psychologists can).

Bibliographic references:

• Official College of Psychologists of Spain (1997). Report on Definition of the area of ​​Clinical and Health Psychology. Application frameworks. Professional training. Madrid. State Secretariat.
• Perez, M. (1991). Medicine, Health Psychology and Clinical Psychology. Journal of Health Psychology, (3)1, 2144.
• Rodríguez-Marín, J. (1998). Health psychology and clinical psychology. Papers of the psychologist, 69.
• Santacreu, J. (1991). Clinical Psychology and Health Psychology. Journal of Health Psychology, (3)1, 320.