Psychologists in the West usually have one of two degrees (PsyD or PhD). The first teaches the psychologist how to conduct research for a career in academia. Whereas PsyD prepares a person for clinical practice (e.g. testing, psychotherapy). PsyD and PhD programs can prepare students for the career of licensed psychologists. And training in these programs will help graduates pass state licensing exams.
But this does not apply to Russia, because we have not yet licensed psychological practice. This means that everyone can become a practicing psychologist, nothing is needed for this except a diploma of a psychology faculty graduate, who very often is trivially 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 psychologists practice two completely different sciences.
Psychological practice usually refers to two main areas of activity:
- Direct work with the client / clients.
- Counseling.
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 it is much simpler. Usually, in order to start practicing, you need to do only a few things:
- Get an idea of at least one psychological theory.
- It is advisable to acquire a diploma in psychology.
- Master at least one type of therapy or one method of counseling.
- If you want to master simple psychotechnics that can facilitate working with a client.
However, you do not need any license if you live in Russia. It is enough to understand psychological theory and practice.
Customer service
Practicing psychologists either work directly with clients, working out their problems, complexes and injuries, or act as consultants giving advice. This is any psychological practice.
Types of Practicing Psychologists
There are 56 professional classifications recognized by the whole world, including clinical, consulting and educational specialists in this profession. Such specialists work with people in various therapeutic contexts. Although counseling and psychotherapy are common to psychologists, these application areas are just two branches in the wider field of this science. There are other classifications, such as industrial, organizational and community psychologists, many of which mainly apply research, theories and methods to the "real" problems of business, industry, public organizations, government and academia.
Recently, more and more practical psychologists have become consultants, and counseling is turning into the most relevant practice.
Practice
Counseling psychology is a specialty that covers research and applied work in several broad areas:
- counseling process and results;
- supervision and training;
- career development and counseling;
- prevention and health.
In these areas, genuine problems of psychological practice surface. Some unifying topics of counseling psychologists include emphasis on active and strengths, the interaction of man and the environment, the development of education and career, a brief interaction and focus on healthy individuals.
Etymology and History
The term “counseling” refers to the development of psychological practices in the United States. It was invented by Rogers, who, due to lack of medical qualifications, was forbidden to call his labor activity psychotherapy. In the USA, psychological counseling, like many modern specialties, began during the Second World War. During the war, the U.S. military experienced a strong need for vocational education and training. In the 1940s and 1950s, the Veterans Administration created the specialty of “psychological counseling,” and section 17 (now known as the Psychological Counseling Society) of the American Psychological Association (APA) was formed. The Counseling Society brings together psychologists, students and specialists who deal with issues of education and training, practice, research, diversity and public interest in the field of psychological assistance practice. This sparked interest in training counselors and creating the first PhD counseling psychology programs in America.
Modernity
In recent decades, psychological counseling as a profession has expanded and is currently represented in many countries around the world. Books describing the current international state of the region include the Counseling and Psychotherapy Guide in an International Context, the International Guide to Intercultural Counseling and Counseling Around the World: An International Guide. Together, these volumes reflect the global history of the region, explore diverging philosophical assumptions, theories of counseling, processes and trends in different countries, and analyze various educational programs for specialists. Moreover, traditional and local methods of treatment and therapy, which may precede modern methods of counseling for hundreds of years, remain significant in many countries of the West and the CIS.
Experts in practice
Psychological counseling practitioners work in a variety of conditions, 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 health centers, veteran care centers and other facilities, family service agencies, health organizations, rehabilitation agencies, business and industry organizations, and business consulting centers.
Practice training
The amount of training needed 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, which leads to a candidate dissertation. Although psychologists and psychiatrists offer counseling, the latter must have a medical degree and thus have the right to prescribe medications, which the former usually do not.
In 2017, the average salary of psychologists in the United States was $ 88,395. In Russia, this average salary, unfortunately, is much lower - about 40-60 thousand rubles.
The essence of the profession
Consulting psychologists are interested in answering various research questions about the counseling process and its results. The process relates to how and why it generally passes and develops. The results address the question of whether counseling is effective, under what conditions it is effective, and what results are considered effective — for example, reducing symptoms, changing behavior, or improving quality of life. Topics that are commonly studied in process research include psychotherapeutic variables, client variables, counseling or therapeutic relationships, cultural variables, process and outcome measurement, change mechanisms, and methods for examining treatment outcomes. Classical approaches appeared early in the United States in the field of humanistic psychology of Carl Rogers. This profession came to Russia from the United States in the early 1990s.
Skills
Specialist skills include the characteristics of a counselor or psychotherapist, as well as therapeutic techniques, behavior, theoretical orientation and training. Regarding psychotherapeutic behavior, technique, and theoretical orientation, a study of adherence to therapeutic models has shown that adherence to a particular therapy model can be useful, harmful, or neutral in terms of impact on the outcome.
Customers and possible difficulties
In terms of attachment style, clients with a habit of avoidance find that they perceive more risk and fewer benefits for counseling, and are less likely to seek professional help than reliably attached clients. Those who experience anxious attachment styles perceive more of the benefits of counseling, but also of the risks involved. Educating clients about counseling expectations can improve their overall satisfaction, treatment duration, and results. It should be part of any method of psychological practice.
Transfer and countertransference
The relationship between the consultant and the client is the feelings and relationships that the patient and the therapist have for each other, and the way they express these feelings and attitudes. Some theorists have suggested that relationships can be seen in three parts: transference and countertransference, labor alliance, and real or personal relationships. The relevance of this theory is due to the enormous 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.
Broadcast
What can the science of psychological practice say about this, dating back to Freud’s psychoanalysis? The transmission 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 a client of his parent. Therefore, if the client has serious negative or positive feelings for their parent, they can project these feelings on the therapist. This can affect the therapeutic relationship in several ways.
For example, if a client has a very strong relationship with his parent, he can see the specialist as a father or mother and have a strong relationship with him. This can be problematic because, as a therapist, it is unethical to have more than a professional relationship with the patient. On the other hand, this situation can become positive, because the client can contact the therapist for real, with confidence. However, if the patient has a very negative relationship with his parent, he may experience negative feelings about the therapist. It can also affect the therapeutic relationship. For example, a client may have problems with trusting a therapist because he has a habit of not trusting his parents (doubts and suspicion are projected onto a specialist). It is worth noting that these features of the work are very important in all methods of psychological practice.
Protected Base Hypothesis
Another theory about the function of consulting relationships is known as a hypothesis with a secure base that is related to attachment theory. It assumes that the consultant acts as a safe base through which clients can examine themselves.
Cultural aspect in practice
The cultural aspect is very important in socio-psychological practice. Counseling psychologists are interested in how culture relates to the search and counseling process, as well as to the results. Standard studies examining the nature of counseling across cultures and different ethnic groups include cultural counseling by Paul B. Pedersen, Juris G. Dragoons, Walter J. Lonner, and Joseph E. Trimble. Janet E. Helms' racial identity model can be helpful in understanding how relationships and the counseling process can be affected by the racial identity of the client and the professional. Recent studies show that patients who are black are at risk of experiencing racial micro-aggression by consultants who are white. This plays a particularly important role in pedagogical and psychological practice.
Sexual and gender dimension
The effectiveness of working with clients who are lesbian, homosexual or bisexual may be related to the origin of the therapist, gender, the development of sexual identity, sexual orientation and professional experience. Clients who have several oppressed individuals may be at particular risk of useless situations with counselors, so therapists may need help gaining experience working with clients who are transgender, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and other deviations.
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 designed to help practitioners, clients and the community avoid any possible harm or potential harm. Standard ethical behavior focuses on “not doing harm” and preventing it.
Consultants may not share any confidential information obtained during the consultation process without the express written consent of the client or his legal guardian, except to prevent a clear, immediate danger to the client or other persons, or, when required, by decision court.
Consultants not only avoid familiarity with their customers. They should avoid ambivalent relationships and never engage in sexual relations with them. These prohibitions and postulates are characteristic even of modern psychological practice.
Counselors should avoid receiving gifts, services, or trade during therapy. It is better not to give gifts, as some customers may not accept such offers correctly.
Contract
A practical psychologist can conclude 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 advising 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 results.
These are the ethical laws of psychological practice.