What is a Clinical and Health Psychologist?
A Clinical and Health Psychologist is a professional who specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and promotion of psychological well-being. This role combines the expertise of both clinical psychology and health psychology.
To work in this field in Latvia, one must obtain the professional qualification of a psychologist and be certified in the specific specialization—clinical and health psychology.
What is Clinical Psychology?
Clinical psychology focuses on:
Diagnosing and treating mental disorders (e.g., depression, anxiety, PTSD, addictions);
Personality assessment;
Crisis interventions (e.g., after traumatic experiences).
What is Health Psychology?
Health psychology focuses on:
The impact of psychological factors on physical health;
Supporting patients with chronic illnesses (e.g., diabetes, heart disease, cancer);
Behavioral change to improve health (e.g., quitting smoking, improving diet, physical activity);
Providing psychological help to patients facing serious medical diagnoses.
What does a Clinical and Health Psychologist do?
Conducts psychological assessments and diagnostics;
Provides psychological help, counseling, and therapy;
Collaborates with doctors, psychiatrists, and other specialists;
Promotes mental and physical health by working with both patients and healthy individuals;
Develops prevention programs and leads psychological health promotion activities.
Clinical and health psychologists most often help children experiencing the following emotional well-being problems:
Acute or chronic stress and anxiety (social anxiety, panic attacks, vegetative dystonia, etc.);
Persistent low mood;
Burnout (emotional or school-related);
Severe emotional shocks (loss, divorce, betrayal, friendship breakups);
Depression (including seasonal depression);
Behavioral disorders (aggression, anger outbursts);
Self-esteem issues;
Unexpected life changes (parental divorce, moving, etc.);
Difficulties in social relationships (conflicts, social anxiety, loneliness);
Identity crisis;
Various crisis situations (trauma, violence, accidents, emotional shocks);
Psychological abuse, bullying, or workplace harassment.
Specialists also carry out psychological assessments of intellectual and emotional functioning in young people. These evaluations aim to determine personality traits, communication and thinking styles, cognitive functions (perception, memory, attention), and intellectual capacity. A formal opinion is issued at the end of the assessment.
During consultations, the psychologist listens, provides emotional support, and helps uncover and use internal resources to understand and resolve the problem. The psychologist does not give one “right” solution or prescribe medication but helps identify various coping strategies and approaches that empower the individual to help themselves.
Services may be covered by insurance companies or paid privately.
