Some people are confused about the difference between psychiatry and psychology.

Psychiatry is a branch of medicine such as cardiology or gynecology, (although contrary to other branches of medicine, highly controversial).

Psychology can be divided into two branches:

1. the study of human behavior
2. the clinical testing and treatment of clients, also called psychotherapy, and sometimes called psychoanalysis
   

In this page, the word “psychology” is used in the latter sense. It is used synonymously to psychotherapy and psychoanalysis.

Four common myths about clinical psychology and psychologists:

1. Psychology is a science. Psychology is defined by Webster’s College Dictionary (Randomhouse) as “the science of the mind or of mental states and processes” and as “the science of human and animal behavior.” The same dictionary defines the word “science” as “a branch of knowledge or study dealing with a body of facts or truths systematically arranged and showing the operation of general laws.” In fact, psychology is based on no such “facts or truths” and certainly doesn’t show “the operation of general laws.” Psychology is a system of beliefs, like philosophy or religion, which follows the generally socially accepted trends of its time, or innovative, often catchy ideas introduced by charismatic leaders in the field. None of psychology’s beliefs have been proven, nor can they be proven by objective, scientific research. We have no way of accurately judging or measuring human emotions and behavior.
2. Psychologists are highly educated professionals. Many or most colleges and universities do provide degrees in psychology. Some psychologists even hold Ph.D. degrees, and may call themselves “doctor” (or outside the U.S. the even more prestigious term “professor.”) This title is also accorded in a variety of other non-scientific subjects, such as philosophy, history, and literature. What the owners of a degree in psychology studied was mainly not scientific research, but the philosophies and beliefs of other psychologists. Very few if any of those beliefs are free from controversy. In many states around the world, the title “psychologist” is not protected by law, and anyone, whether having obtained a degree from a recognized school or not, can lawfully hang out a shingle and call her/himself “psychologist” or one of its synonyms.
3. Psychology is effective. There is no more evidence of the efficacy of psychology than there is evidence of the efficacy of such “alternative” therapies as reflexology or iriscopy. Assessment of efficacy is wholly subjective, and relies on the client’s “feel good” factor. Throughout the history of psychology, many treatment methods have been rejected, such as those of Freud, Bettleheim, and Lovaas. “Nowadays we know that…” is a phrase the client may hear when asking about such treatments. Statistically speaking, the chance is nearly 100% that that which we nowadays “know” will at some time in the future be rejected as nonsense. Of course there are some “psychological” beliefs so universally held, that we consider them facts. For instance, most of us believe that a battered child has a high risk of becoming a maladjusted adult. One doesn’t need to study psychology to believe such. Other beliefs are less universal, and subject to influence by culture, religion, and social changes. For instance today, when divorce and single parenting are less of a social stigma than thirty years ago, it is less commonly believed that that growing up without a father “figure” is bad for children, thus this viewpoint is also less commonly espoused by psychologists. In fact, psychologists are subject to prejudice just as people who don’t hold a degree in psychology are.
4. Psychology is harmless. Although clinical psychology is certainly less harmful than psychiatry’s brain-damaging treatments, many clients do feel they have been emotionally harmed by it. Examples of harm done by psychologists are: the client develops an emotional dependency on the psychologist; the client suffers frustration and low esteem because the psychologist incorrectly identifies the client her/himself as the source of her/his problems; or, conversely, the client is encouraged to "recover" false memories. Actual cases of prosecution against psychologists are rare. In practice it is nearly impossible to demonstrate that a psychologist has erred in a way which is harmful to her/his client, considering the nature of the profession and the vulnerability of the client.
   

    Many of us are subjected to the profession of psychology involuntarily.  We may be compelled to “take a psychological test” to gain employment or promotion. Our children may be placed in schools or classes exclusively on the advice of a psychologist. Judges my rely on psychological reports in cases of child custody, competence, or criminal responsibility. In those cases, psychologists have far-reaching power over our lives and well-being, even though they don’t possess the wisdom and insight that might justify such power. They have reached their powerful positions on the basis of widespread social acceptance of psychology, not on the basis of scientific evidence.

Should therefore clinical psychology as a profession be abolished? Not necessarily. As stated above, psychology is based on beliefs, and each of us is free to subscribe or not subscribe to those beliefs. We have the right to consult psychologists and follow their advice if we wish, in the same way that we have the right to consult astrologists, fortune tellers, or faith healers. However, we should equally have the right to not be subjected to psychology or coerced into following a psychologist’s advice.

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