What is the difference between clinical psychology and medical psychology?

Posted: February 19th, 2023

What is the difference between clinical psychology and medical psychology?
Psychology is a broad field that offers several specializations, including clinical psychology and medical psychology. Although both fields deal with mental health, they have distinct differences in terms of training, focus, and practice. In this article, we will discuss in detail the differences between clinical psychology and medical psychology, including their training requirements, areas of focus, and job opportunities.

Training Requirements
Clinical Psychology
Clinical psychology is a specialized branch of psychology that deals with the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental illnesses and emotional disorders. Clinical psychologists are trained to provide therapy, counseling, and other interventions to individuals, groups, and families to promote mental health and well-being.

To become a licensed clinical psychologist, one needs to complete a doctoral degree in psychology, which typically takes four to six years to complete. The doctoral program in clinical psychology focuses on both research and clinical training, and students are required to complete internships and residencies in clinical settings to gain practical experience.

Medical Psychology
Medical psychology is a specialized branch of psychology that deals with the relationship between physical health and mental health. Medical psychologists work with individuals who have medical conditions that affect their mental health or those who have mental health conditions that affect their physical health. They also work with medical professionals to provide consultation and support in the management of patients’ overall health.

To become a licensed medical psychologist, one needs to complete a doctoral degree in psychology and a medical degree. The medical psychology training program involves four years of medical school and a residency in psychiatry or clinical psychology.

Areas of Focus
Clinical Psychology
Clinical psychology focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental illnesses and emotional disorders. Clinical psychologists are trained to provide therapy and counseling to individuals, groups, and families to help them overcome their psychological challenges. They may also work with other mental health professionals, such as psychiatrists, social workers, and counselors, to provide comprehensive care to patients.

Medical Psychology
Medical psychology focuses on the relationship between physical health and mental health. Medical psychologists work with patients who have medical conditions that affect their mental health, such as chronic pain, cancer, or diabetes. They also work with patients who have mental health conditions that affect their physical health, such as anxiety or depression. Medical psychologists may also work with medical professionals to provide consultation and support in the management of patients’ overall health.

Job Opportunities
Clinical Psychology
Clinical psychologists work in various settings, including private practices, hospitals, clinics, and schools. They may also work in research settings or academia. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the employment of clinical, counseling, and school psychologists is projected to grow 3% from 2019 to 2029. Clinical psychologists may also specialize in a particular area, such as child psychology, forensic psychology, or neuropsychology.

Medical Psychology
Medical psychologists work primarily in medical settings, such as hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and medical schools. They may also work in private practice, research settings, or academia. The BLS does not provide data specifically for medical psychologists, but it does project a 15% employment growth rate for all types of psychologists from 2019 to 2029. Medical psychologists may also specialize in a particular area, such as health psychology or behavioral medicine.

Conclusion
Clinical psychology and medical psychology are two distinct fields that deal with mental health, but they have different training requirements, areas of focus, and job opportunities. Clinical psychology focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental illnesses and emotional disorders, while medical psychology focuses on the relationship between physical health and mental health. Both fields offer valuable services to individuals and communities, and those interested in pursuing a career in either field should carefully consider their training and career goals.

References:
American Psychological Association. (2022). Clinical psychology. https://www.ap a.org/topics/clinical-psychology

American Psychological Association. (2022). Medical psychology. https://www.apa.org/topics/medical-psychology

Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2021). Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/psychologists.htm

Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2021). Psychologists. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/psychologists.htm#tab-1

Kocovski, N., & Fleming, J. E. (2018). Clinical psychology versus counseling psychology: What’s the difference? Canadian Psychology/Psychologie canadienne, 59(1), 1-9. doi: 10.1037/cap0000108