Resources for Clients

What is Forensic Psychology?

What is Clinical Psychology?

Forensic psychology is a subspecialty of clinical psychology that deals with the interface between psychology and the criminal justice system. It involves the application of science of psychology to give light to questions and issues relating to law and the legal system. Central to the work of forensic psychologists is testifying in court as expert witnesses, reformulating psychological findings into the legal language of the courtroom, providing information to legal personnel in a way that can be understood.

Clinical psychology is a subspecialty within psychology that integrates science, theory, and practice to understand, predict, and alleviate maladjustment, disability, and discomfort as well as to promote human adaptation, adjustment, and personal development. Clinical Psychology focuses on the intellectual, emotional, biological, psychological, social, and behavioral aspects of human functioning across the life span, in varying cultures, and at all socioeconomic levels (American Psychological Association). Central to its practice are psychological assessment and psychotherapy. Clinical psychologists also engage in other professional activities such as research, teaching, consultation, forensic work, and program development and administration. In many countries such as New Zealand, clinical psychology is a regulated mental health profession.

Clinical neuropsychology is a subspecialty of clinical psychology that specializes in the assessment and treatment of individuals with developmental or acquired neurocognitive deficits (i.e. brain injury, dementia, drug use, other neurological disorders). Clinical neuropsychologists in most countries will hold an advanced degree in clinical psychology and subspeciality training in clinical neuropsychology.

What is Clinical Neuropsychology?

Registration as a Clinical Psychologist in New Zealand

The practice of psychology, as in most countries, is regulated in New Zealand. Psychologists are required to be registered with the New Zealand Psychologists Board and hold an annual practising certificate in order to legally practice in New Zealand. Clinical psychologist are registered as a psychologist under the clinical scope of practice. Registered clinical psychologists who practice in the areas of neuropsychology and forensic psychology require further training and supervision in order to competently practice in these areas. Furthermore, these psychologists should practice within their scope of expertise as required by the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act (HPCAA) 2003. In addition to being registered with the NZ Psychologists Board, most clinical psychologists are also members of professional bodies such as the New Zealand Psychological Society and/or New Zealand College of Clinical Psychologists and other international organisations.

There are some overlaps in the practice of psychology and other mental health professionals such as counsellors, psychiatrists, psychotherapists. However, these professions have different training backgrounds and qualifications hence, would have different set of clinical skills and specialties.

Psychiatrists are medical doctors trained in the assessment and treatment of individuals with mental illness. They often prescribe psychotropic medications to treat mental illness. Some psychiatrists also provide psychotherapy however, they are not well trained in psychological testing and assessments like psychologists. Psychiatrists are registered with the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP). Psychologists, on the other hand, may have a title of ‘Dr’ because they have obtained a doctorate in psychology. They are not medically trained (except for those who decided to pursue medicine) and are not qualified to prescribe medications. Clinical psychologists are trained in the assessment and treatment of individuals with emotional and psychological problems. Clinical psychologists may pursue their own respective specialties like in my case where I decided to specialise in neuropsychology and forensic psychology.

Counsellors and psychotherapists provide counselling or psychotherapy which are often used interchangeably. In the context of mental health, "counseling" is generally used to denote a relatively brief treatment that is focused most changing behaviour by targeting specific problems and offers some advice to better deal with them. On the other hand, “psychotherapy” generally denotes longer term treatment which focusses on the individual gaining insight into his/her own thought processes and general view of the world.

Psychologists and other mental health professionals