What is Psychology?

Psychology is the systematic and scientific study of human behaviour, thoughts and feelings. Psychologists study at university level and usually apply their scientific insights into areas of human functioning.

Clinical Psychologists apply psychological insights and skills to the area of human distress that can lead to feelings of serious unhappiness, mental pain and anguish.

Using their knowledge of mental processes, they can apply special techniques to understand and, where possible, explain the reasons why these problems occur. This is called psycho-diagnostics and may help to clarify or settle doubts about mental abilities, such as memory difficulties or confusion about how relationships work.

Where appropriate, Clinical Psychologists can help people to come to terms or solve their problems through systematic interviewing and (sometimes) agreed mental exercises. This is called psychotherapy, and may help with feelings of anxiety, extreme sadness or grief, stress or uncertainty about how to find a solution to seemingly 'stuck' problems.