Clinical psychology

Clinical psychology is the practice of outpatient mental health treatment. Examples of clinical psychology include psychotherapy, art therapy, and cognitive therapy.

Prior to the 20th Century, there was little, if any, help available for sufferers of mental health problems. In the early 20th century, Sigmund Freud developed a mental health treatment known as psychoanalysis. In order to practice psychoanalysis, a great deal of training was required of the practitioner. Consequently, the cost of psychoanalysis was also high.

In the middle of the 20th century, a movement to bring mental health treatment to more people occurred. "Clinical pyschology" was specifically geared to mental health treatment without medical degrees. As a result, mental health treatment was available through store fronts rather than at doctor's offices and at a lower cost, allowing more people to benefit through treatment.