Clinical Psychology

What Is Clinical Psychology?

Clinical Psychology integrates science, theory, and practice to understand, predict, and alleviate maladjustment, disability, and discomfort as well as to promote human adaptation, adjustment, and personal development. Clinical Psychology focuses on the intellectual, emotional, biological, psychological, social, and behavioral aspects of human functioning across the life span, in varying cultures, and at all socioeconomic levels. - American Psychological Association, Div. 12

Student wearing headphones and working on computer.

Study Topics

  • understanding depression and the treatment of depression
  • how emotions impact decisions and behavior
  • causes of and treatments for poor health behaviors (e.g., smoking, alcohol abuse)
  • eating disorders
  • suicidal thoughts and behavior
  • self-regulation
  • how stress affects health and biological functioning in humans
Student sitting on chairs while visiting. Once student has a laptop sitting on her legs and the other students have books and or notebooks on their laps.

Clinical Psychology Faculty and Research

Anna Finley, Ph.D.* - Research Interests: Social and affective neuroscience, emotion regulation, self-regulation, well-being, healthy aging, loneliness

Clayton Hilmert, Ph.D.* - Research Interests: Stress, psychophysiology, and health

Leah Irish, Ph.D.* - Research Interests: Sleep, stress, health behaviors

Michael Robinson, Ph.D.* - Research Interests: Personality, emotion, cognition, self-regulation

*Clinical psychology related labs