The so called “clinical psychologist” is a professional counselor who utilizes principles and methods of psychology to understand and change an individual. The Legislative Yuan on October 31st, 2001 enacted the “Psychologist Law”, specifying the following qualifications for taking the clinical psychologist examination:

1.Graduated from a domestic or foreign public, private university, independent college that is recognized by the Ministry of Education, R.O.C. as a student of the clinical psychology institute, department, section, or related psychology research institute with a major in clinical psychology, passed as an intern for at least one year, and has a master’s or higher academic degree.

2.Practiced clinical psychology one year in a medical institution before the enactment of this Law and has a master’s or higher academic degree from a psychology related institute, department, or section of a university or independent college.

3.Practiced clinical psychology two years in a medical institution before the enactment of this Law and has a junior college or higher level of education.

We currently have five qualified clinical psychologists; all have passed the Civil Service Level 3 Examination and possess a clinical psychologist certificate and license. What exactly are the service items of a clinical psychologist? According to the Psychologist Law, a clinical psychologist is responsible for the following affairs:

1.     Examination of general mental status and function.

2.     Examination of psychosis or brain mental functions.

3.     Counseling and psychotherapy of psychological development deviation and disorder.

4.     Counseling and psychotherapy of cognitive, emotional, or behavioral deviation and disorder.

5.     Counseling and psychotherapy of social adjustment deviation.

6.     Counseling and psychotherapy of neurosis.

7.     Psychotherapy of psychosis or brain mental functions.

8.     Other clinical psychologist practices approved by the central governing authority.

Articles 6 and 7 should be carried out according to a doctor’s diagnosis and notes or advice.

From the above we know that a clinical psychologist utilizes knowledge and methods of psychology to understand, evaluate, and treat. Besides eliminating current maladjusted behaviors of individuals, a clinical psychologist also tries to help them become mentally healthier.

Kaohsiung Drug Abuser Treatment Center’s psychologists use their profession, passion, and service attitude and utilize internal and external resources to help inmates rid themselves of drug addictions or mental addiction. Moreover, they try to help inmates establish an active attitude towards their future paths.