Clinical Child Psychology

Clinical Child Psychology

Clinical Child Psychology
In today’s changing world, clinical child psychology is a fast growing field.   Routh (1996) suggests that many have the notion that this is a new and upcoming field which in fact is the oldest that dates back to 1896.   Clinical child psychology focuses on mental and physical changes, health and developmental changes of youth and how day to day life can change them (77).
As adults, we face different adversities with family life, and world issues.   With unemployment on the rise, terrorism, school violence, and possible loss of their homes due to lack of income coming in for their families, children also feel the effects and it puts a toll on their mental health (78).   The Web MD Medical reference in collaboration with The Cleveland Clinic   suggest that some of these environmental changes can cause anxiety disorders, depression, disruptive behavior disorders, eating disorders and schizophrenia.   It is essential for children and adolescents mental well-being that they receive professional help to aid their development and heal to be functional adults.   Hedtk, Kendall, Aschenbrand, Puliafico, and Hughes (2003) state “1 in 10 children have mental health problems severe enough to warrant treatment.   Yet of those children in need, less than 20 percent receive appropriate services” (76).   This is a staggering number.  

This field of work faces many challenges.   One of the challenges that are seen day to day on news broadcasts is medical care.   Many parents are faced with the fact that their children may need help but their medical care does not cover or have limitations to mental health care.   This unfortunately leaves families left with no treatment or support.   Psychologists are continually providing the proper medical care officials with their research findings to help change coverage.   Only time will tell if their research will have a positive affect and change coverage for mental health needs.
Research is imperative in this field.   The...