2024-08-26 11:53:30
according to FSP Website : “The profession of psychologist is demanding and carries with it a great responsibility towards the people who are taken care of.” In order to meet the need to train qualified psychologists, able to provide “effective and appropriate services”, postgraduate diplomas are offered to new psychologists. Of these, two are mandatory: psychotherapy and neuropsychology. In fact, professionals working in these professions receive payment for their services through basic insurance and must meet quality standards similar to those of the Federation. That being said, postgraduate training is not systematically mandatory. In this article, we will review some possible fields of application related to psychology to understand their peculiarities.
Psychotherapy and its different approaches
- Psychoanalysis
Let’s start at the beginning. In the 1890s, Sigmund Freud created a theory of psychology: psychoanalysis. Its purpose was to investigate and explain unconscious mental processes that NeurosisThe first school of psychotherapy theory was born, and through a century of analysis, criticism, experimentation, and discovery in psychology and other related fields (clinical neuroscience, social sciences, etc.), it has continued to evolve to best meet the growing needs of mental health.
In parallel with this development, in the second part of the 20th centuryth This century, two other theories have emerged: systems approach and cognitive behavioral therapy. These approaches, along with psychoanalysis, represent the three major schools of psychotherapy, although there are several other approaches.
- Systematic approach
Systematic approach The starting point is that the individual cannot be separated from the “system” (family and social context) in which he develops, and the latter must be taken into account when exploring each person’s psychological difficulties. This is a particularly relevant approach when exploring problems related to couples or families.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy Based on the assumption that individuals can exert influence over the negative thoughts and behaviors that intrude upon them, they therefore focus not on the past but on the here and now, suggesting efforts to improve and reshape thought patterns that lead to psychological symptoms such as depression and anxiety.
Some therapists also draw on therapeutic techniques from all three schools and combine them to provide comprehensive care.
Today, every psychologist who wishes to specialize in Switzerland can train in one of the three approaches with the help of a MAS (Master of Advanced Studies), which allows them to develop tools and skills specific to each approach.
Neuropsychology
Neuropsychology Another discipline at the crossroads of neuroscience, clinical, experimental and cognitive psychology. She is interested in the connection between psychological functions (thoughts, behaviors and emotions) and the brain structures that influence these functions.
Neuropsychologists are therefore specialists whose work consists of assessing deficits in psychological functioning after brain damage, the roots of which may be diverse (brain injury, epilepsy, neurodegenerative diseases, neurodevelopmental diseases, etc.), in order to provide rehabilitation treatment based on the preservation of the individual’s abilities.
As well as psychotherapy, the University of Geneva also offers an MAS specialising in neuropsychology.
How does the Postgraduate Diploma work?
Both psychotherapists and neuropsychologists must charge for their services through basic insurance and therefore must demonstrate a certain level of expertise. Even if a university degree is a good guarantee in itself, it is primarily intended to provide general knowledge, which then needs to be refined in order to perform optimally in the clinic.
This is what the MAS allows you to do, these diplomas ultimately require more practice than theory. In fact, one of the conditions for entry into these postgraduates is precisely the ability to prove a job position or internship in an agency providing psychological services, which is usually 80% because the theoretical classes are only held once or twice a month on Fridays and Saturdays.
However, these same positions most of the time require you to already be registered with the MAS before you can apply. Therefore, applicants must first do an internship before registering with the MAS. This is where we have the right to ask ourselves a few questions: How does this translate specifically in the field when applying to become a psychologist? What comes first: the position or the MAS? And how can we not be held back by this seemingly contradictory situation?
We will answer these questions in the next article through interviews with professionals in the field.
In what fields can psychologists work without MAS?
For those impatient individuals who do not wish to continue their studies through the MAS, other pathways in related fields are entirely possible. For example, one could switch to social work, for example as an educator, as psychological knowledge and skills are very useful in this field.
Likewise, we can turn to the socio-professional integration of specific populations (migrant workers, people with various psychological disorders, etc.) or to the wider field of work psychology (human resources, career development, career guidance), which often requires the administration and interpretation of psychological tests, personal support and support, and many other skills related to the study of psychology. There is also MAS (Psychology of Career Development and Human Resources) to deepen your skills and professional reflection around this profession.
Obviously, a psychology degree is not the most direct way to get into these positions, but in some cases provides very relevant and transversal skills. So we can also ask ourselves some questions: How are social work and psychology related? What additional skills or knowledge do you need to get into some of these positions, and which ones are transversal? What is the difference between an office psychologist and a working psychologist who specializes in integration or professional guidance?
Again, the next article will answer this question based on the opinions of true professionals in this field.
Article by the same author: Psychologists: Humans serve humans
Photo credits: Samir Bingol pass stock
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