Which of the following statements about clinical psychologists is most accurate regarding the treatment of patients with mental disorders?

• A. Clinical psychologists may treat individuals with a range of concerns, including those without a diagnosable mental disorder.
• B. Only psychiatrists, not clinical psychologists, can treat patients with mental disorders.
• C. A clinical psychologist will only treat patients who have a mental disorder.
• D. Clinical psychologists are not qualified to treat any mental health issues.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the role of clinical psychologists in mental health care. Clinical psychologists are trained professionals who assess, diagnose, and treat a wide range of psychological issues, including but not limited to diagnosable mental disorders.
2. Step 2: Recognize that clinical psychologists can work with individuals experiencing various levels of psychological distress, from mild concerns to severe mental disorders, and they often provide therapy for issues like stress, adjustment problems, and emotional difficulties that may not meet criteria for a formal diagnosis.
3. Step 3: Differentiate clinical psychologists from psychiatrists. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who can prescribe medication, whereas clinical psychologists primarily provide psychotherapy and psychological assessments but do not prescribe medication in most jurisdictions.
4. Step 4: Evaluate the statements given in the problem by comparing them to the roles and qualifications of clinical psychologists. Statements that limit clinical psychologists only to treating diagnosable disorders or deny their qualifications to treat mental health issues are inaccurate.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the most accurate statement is the one acknowledging that clinical psychologists may treat individuals with a range of concerns, including those without a diagnosable mental disorder, reflecting their broad scope of practice.