A prática da Psicologia Clínica na ótica dos/as profissionais: dificuldades, impactos e necessidades

Abstract

There has been a growing interest in research in psychology, on the professional development of clinical psychologists, and on the conditions in which they practice their profession. As psychology is a demanding profession, the literature points to the need to address the impact it causes on professionals, both personally and professionally. Objective: This study seeks to understand how psychologists perceive and experience their professional practice in the context of clinical psychology in Portugal. At the same time, it seeks to understand how they perceive the impact of the profession on their personal and professional lives, as well as the coping strategies they use. Method: The study integrates 15 clinical psychologists, including junior members and effective members of the Order of Portuguese Psychologists. For data collection, a semi-structured interview was administered individually developed specifically for the present study. Thematic analysis was used for data analysis, using the Nvivo 10 software. Results: The results demonstrate the multiple difficulties that psychologists face, highlighting the lack of recognition and appreciation. Although the participants recognize the positive repercussions of the profession, they emphasize the negative impacts, which affect their personal and professional lives. To counteract the negative repercussions, the results underline, on the one hand, professional needs, namely the educational act of the population (Instagram) and the struggle for greater attention/recognition from institutions/state. On the other hand, there are needs in terms of the psychologist's care, articulated with coping strategies and self-care essential for the proper “mental/professional” functioning of psychologists. Conclusion: It is concluded that, although there has been an increase in the recognition of psychology, due to the pandemic, this remains a profession with a long way to go, in terms of its valuation, its position in the labor market and in the life of the general population. Keywords: Clinical psychology, difficulties, needs, impact, coping

Date of Award	2023
Original language	Portuguese
Supervisor	Dulce Patrícia Vale de Vasconcelos Pinto (Supervisor) & Ana Rita Conde Dias (Supervisor)