Psychological practice: definition of the concept, types, basic methods

2024 Author: Miguel Ramacey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 06:11

Psychologists in the West usually have one of two degrees (PsyD or PhD). The first teaches a psychologist how to conduct research for a career in academia. Whereas PsyD prepares a person for clinical practice (for example, testing, psychotherapy). PsyD and PhD programs can prepare students for careers as licensed psychologists. And training in these programs will help graduates pass state licensing exams.

But this does not apply to Russia, because our psychological practice is not yet licensed. This means that anyone can become a practicing psychologist, for this you do not need anything other than a diploma of a graduate of a psychology faculty, which is very often tritely bought.

Practical

What can be said about the practical side of such a science as psychology? First of all, the gap between theory and practice in this science is quite high. Sometimes it may seem that people involved in the theory of psychology and practicing psychologists are engaged in two completely different sciences.

Under psychologicalpractice usually refers to two main areas of activity:

1. Direct work with the client/clients.
2. Counselling.

How to become a practical psychologist

If in the West, in order to engage in such a practice, a special license is required, then with us everything is much simpler. Usually, in order to start practicing, you need to do only a few things:

1. Get an understanding of at least one psychological theory.
2. It is desirable to acquire a degree in psychology.
3. Master at least one type of therapy or one method of counseling.
4. If you want to learn simple psychotechnics that can make working with a client easier.

You don't need any license if you live in Russia. It is enough to understand the psychological theory and practice.

Working with a client

Practicing psychologists either work directly with clients, working through their problems, complexes and traumas, or act as consultants giving advice. This is what any psychological practice is all about.

Types of practicing psychologists

There are 56 professional classifications recognized worldwide, including clinical, consulting and educational professionals in this profession. Such specialists work with people in various therapeutic contexts. While counseling and psychotherapy are common to psychologists, these applied fields are just two branches within the broader field of this science. Other classifications exist, such as industrial, organizational, and community psychologists, many of which primarily apply research, theories, and methods to "real" problems in business, industry, community organizations, government, and academia.

Recently, more and more practical psychologists are becoming consultants, and counseling is becoming the most relevant practice.

Practice

Counseling psychology is a speci alty that encompasses research and applied work in several broad areas:

• Counseling process and results;
• supervision and training;
• career development and counseling;
• prevention and he alth.

The real problems of psychological practice emerge in these areas. Some unifying themes of counseling psychologists include a focus on actives and strengths, human-environment interactions, educational and career development, brief interactions, and a focus on he althy individuals.

Etymology and history

The term "counseling" refers to the development of psychological practices in the US. It was invented by Rogers, who, due to his lack of medical qualifications, was forbidden to call his work activity psychotherapy. In the United States, psychological counseling, like many modern speci alties, began during World War II. During the war, the US military had a strong need forvocational education and training. In the 1940s and 1950s, the Veterans Administration created the speci alty of "psychological counseling" and Section 17 (now known as the Society for Counseling Psychology) of the American Psychological Association (APA) was formed. The Counseling Society brings together psychologists, students, and professionals who work on issues of education and training, practice, research, diversity, and public interest in the field of counseling practice. This sparked interest in training counselors and creating the first PhD programs in counseling psychology in America.

Modernity

In recent decades, psychological counseling as a profession has expanded and is now represented in many countries around the world. Books describing the current international state of the field include Handbook of Counseling and Psychotherapy in an International Context, International Handbook of Intercultural Counseling, and Counseling Worldwide: An International Handbook. Collectively, these volumes reflect the global history of the field, explore diverging philosophical assumptions, counseling theories, processes and trends across countries, and analyze various educational programs for professionals. Moreover, traditional and local methods of treatment and therapy, which may predate modern methods of counseling for hundreds of years, remain significant in many countries of the West and the CIS.

Experts inpractice

Counseling practitioners work in a variety of settings, depending on the services they provide and the clients they serve. Some of them work in colleges and universities as teachers, supervisors, researchers and service providers. Others work in independent practice, providing counseling, psychotherapy, assessment and counseling services to individuals, couples or families, groups and organizations. Additional organizations that train counselors include community mental he alth centers, veterans' he alth centers and other facilities, family services agencies, he alth care organizations, rehabilitation agencies, business and industry organizations, and in-house counseling centers.

Practice training

The amount of training required for psychologists varies depending on the country in which they practice. Typically, a psychologist completes a bachelor's degree and then goes through five to six years of further education and/or training, leading to a Ph. D. While psychologists and psychiatrists offer consultations, the latter must hold a medical degree and thus have the authority to prescribe drugs, which the former usually does not.

In 2017, the average salary for counseling psychologists in the US was $88,395. In Russia, this average salary, unfortunately, is much lower - about 40-60 thousand rubles.

The essence of the profession

Counseling Psychologistsinterested in answering various research questions about the counseling process and its outcomes. Process refers to how and why it generally takes place and develops. The results address whether counseling is effective, under what conditions it is effective, and what outcomes are considered effective-for example, symptom reduction, behavior change, or improved quality of life. Topics commonly explored in process research include psychotherapy variables, client variables, counseling or therapy relationships, cultural variables, measurement of process and outcomes, mechanisms of change, and methods for examining therapy outcomes. Classical approaches appeared early in the US in the field of humanistic psychology by Carl Rogers. This profession came to Russia from the USA in the early 1990s.

Skills

Specialist skills include the characteristics of a counselor or therapist, as well as therapeutic technique, behavior, theoretical orientation, and training. In terms of psychotherapeutic behavior, technique, and theoretical orientation, a study of adherence to therapeutic models has shown that adherence to a particular therapy model can be beneficial, harmful, or neutral in terms of impact on outcome.

Clients and Challenges

In terms of attachment style, clients with avoidance habits find themselves taking more risks and fewer benefits for counseling, and are less likely toseek professional help than securely attached clients. Those who experience anxious attachment styles perceive more of the benefits of counseling, but also the risks of it. Educating clients about counseling expectations can improve their overall satisfaction, duration of treatment, and outcomes. It should be part of any method of psychological practice.

Transference and countertransference

Counselor-client relationship is the feelings and attitudes that the patient and therapist have towards each other and the way these feelings and attitudes are expressed. Some theorists have suggested that relationships can be seen in three parts: transference and countertransference, a working alliance, and real or personal relationships. The relevance of this theory is due to the huge role that Freudianism played in the development of psychological practices in psychology. However, some theorists argue that the concepts of transference and countertransference are outdated and inadequate.

Transmission

What can the science of psychological practice, going back to Freud's psychoanalysis, say about this? Transference can be described as a distorted perception by the client of the therapist. This can have a big impact on the therapeutic relationship. For example, a specialist may have a facial feature that reminds the client of his parent. Therefore, if a client has serious negative or positive feelings about their parent, they may project those feelings onto the therapist. This can affect the therapeutic relationship in several ways.

For example, if the client has a very strongconnection with his parent, he may see a specialist as a father or mother and have a strong bond with him. This can be problematic because, as a therapist, it is unethical to have a more than professional relationship with a patient. On the other hand, such a situation can become positive, because the client can approach the therapist in a real, trusting way. However, if the patient has a very negative relationship with his parent, he may have negative feelings towards the therapist. It can also affect the therapeutic relationship. For example, the client may have trouble trusting the therapist because he had a habit of not trusting his parents (doubt and suspicion are projected onto the therapist). It is worth noting that these features of work are very important in all methods of psychological practice.

Hypothesis with secure base

Another theory about the function of the counseling relationship is known as the secure base hypothesis, which is related to attachment theory. It suggests that the consultant acts as a safe base from which clients can explore themselves.

Cultural aspect in practice

The cultural aspect is very important in socio-psychological practice. Counseling psychologists are interested in how the culture relates to the process of searching and counseling, as well as to the results. Standard research examining the nature of counseling across cultures and across ethnic groups includes cultural counseling by Paul B. Pedersen, Juris G. Dragoons, W alter J. Lonner, and Joseph E. Trimble. The Janet E. Helms Racial Identity Model can be helpful in understanding how the relationship and the counseling process can be affected by the client's and professional's racial identity. Recent studies show that patients who are black are at risk of experiencing racial microaggression from counselors who are white. This plays a particularly important role in pedagogical-psychological practice.

Sexual and Gender Aspect

Effectiveness in working with clients who are lesbian, gay, or bisexual may be related to the therapist's background, gender, sexual identity development, sexual orientation, and professional experience. Clients who have multiple downtrodden faces may be particularly at risk for pointless situations with counselors, so therapists may need help gaining experience with clients who are transgender, lesbian, gay, bisexual, or otherwise deviant.

Ethical aspect in the practice of psychological counseling

Perceptions of ethical behavior vary by geography, but ethical mandates are the same throughout the global community. Ethical standards are created to help practitioners, clients, and society avoid any possible harm or potential harm. standard ethicalbehavior is focused on "doing no harm" and preventing it.

Counselors may not share any confidential information obtained during the counseling process without specific written consent from the client or their legal guardian, except to prevent a clear, imminent danger to the client or others or when it is required by court order.

Consultants not only avoid familiarity with their clients. They should avoid dual relationships and never have sexual relations with them. These prohibitions and postulates are typical even for modern psychological practice.

Counselors should avoid receiving gifts, favors or trades during therapy. It is better not to give gifts, as some customers may not accept such offers.

Agreement

A practical psychologist can enter into a special contract with his client. Important considerations that will be discussed include the amount of time since the termination of the counseling service, its duration, the nature and circumstances of the counseling session with the client, the likelihood that the client will want to resume the visit in the future, the circumstances of the termination of the relationship, and possible negative consequences or outcomes.

These are the ethical laws of psychological practice.