Who is the psychologist?
In Italy, the psychologist is a professional who has obtained a Degree in Psychology (5 years of study) and who has then completed a one year post-lauream internship, after passing the relevant State Exam to be qualified to practice the profession and consequently after becoming a registered member of the Italian Board of Psychologists.
The profession of the psychologist (as defined by article 1 of Law 56/89) involves the use of psychological and intervention tools for prevention, diagnosis, habilitation and rehabilitation, support to the person, to the group, to the social organizations and communities. Moreover, the practice includes activities of experimentation, research and training.
The psychologist uses his/her own knowledge, techniques and abilities in order to promote the wellbeing of the individual, the group and the community. The psychologist wishes to improve people’s ability to understand themselves and others in order for them to behave consciously and efficiently (art.3 c.d.p). Moreover, this professional helps people develop judgements, opinions and choices on their own terms and will (art.39 c.d.p).
The psychologist, in the exercise of his/her activities, should follow three basic principles:
- Professional integrity: it includes the respect for the dignity of a person, the right to privacy, autonomy and self-determination and the respect for the ideas, opinions and beliefs of the individual, in order to avoid any discrimination (regarding nationality, ethnicity, religion, social and economic status, gender, sexual orientation and disability) (art. 4 c.d.p).
- Expertise and reliability: it implies that the psychologist must constantly update and enhance their knowledge through their work, research and education (art. 3 c.d.p). Moreover, they can only use the theoretical and practical tools for which they received training (art. 37 c.d.p).
- Professional autonomy: the psychologist protects his/her professional autonomy and respects the Code of Ethics (article 6 c.d.p).
c.d.p = Code of Ethics for Psychologists
Why going to the psychologist?
Going to a psychologist means to actively search for well-being and serenity in your life.
Some people go to a psychologist to better understand why they make certain choices, because they feel lost or because they are no longer able to understand where they are going in life, therefore to find their own way or a new path.
Other people instead go to a psychologist because they are facing situations which are psychologically painful and difficult times related to causes such as the loss of a loved one, a breakup with a partner, a divorce or separation, a conflict between parents and children, parenting concerns, complex family situations and/or conflicts, but also because of stress, anxiety, difficulty in sleeping and eating, general feelings of dissatisfaction and/or unhappiness.
Why then going to the psychologist? In order to feel better and live more harmoniously and peacefully our lives and to accept our contact with the environment and the people around us.
It is possible, through the help and the support of a psychologist, to learn more about oneself, to gain self-awareness and to better understand our surroundings and others.
Intervention areas
Wellbeing
Although there are no problems, sometimes you may need to change your lifestyle. It can happen you feel the need of a change in order to live a more satisfying life. In those cases, it can be useful to receive professional help in order to understand which changes have been made.
Love relationship
Love relationships can know moments of crisis or even break-ups. In these cases the pain can be significant and may require a specific intervention that aims to understand the crisis and seek solutions or overcome the loss.
Life changing Status and Crisis
In the life cycle, from birth to death, there are many critical moments. Adolescence, adult life and work, marriage, ageing and they all involve significant transformations that sometimes need support.
Pain management
Unfortunately, there are situations of chronic illnesses (of the person or of a loved one) that require continuous reorganization of the everyday life. Sometimes this chronicity can make precarious the personal balance and increase psychological pain. A professional help can enable finding new solutions and new balances.
Parent-child relationship and parenting
Parenting means the psychological ability to be parents, to take care of the child, not only physically but also to foster their mental growth and development. The loving relationship between parents and children is the result of a co-building between the parties. Sometimes the relationship may be difficult or hostile depending on the character of each person involved and the life situations the family has to face. Understanding the causes and the role of each person in difficulty can help improve the situation, if not to solve it.
Grieving process
Unfortunately in life there are times when a loved one dies. Sometimes it is very hard to overcome such loss. Psychological help can ease the pain and help the grieving process to begin.