Legal Aspects Of The Practice Of Psychology
The exercise of psychology has, among other functions, that of working to maintain well-being and improve people’s quality of life. Psychologists can directly influence the full development of individuals and groups. Thus, the work they carry out acquires relevance, and the need to be carried out with great professionalism.
It is a profession that takes on special importance because the mental health of patients can come into play. Due to these factors, there is currently some regulation on the exercise of psychology.
How is the practice of psychology regulated?
It is worth mentioning that it is the Official College of Psychologists that has among its tasks, defined by law, the obligation to order the professional practice of psychology. The Official College of Psychologists is a state-wide organization that institutionally groups all Spanish psychologists.
In the first place, to be able to access the trade there are certain requirements that the person has to fulfill. That is, be in possession of an official qualifying title and be enrolled in an Official College of Psychology. In addition, there are additional qualifications that are required when the specialist focuses his professional career in the health field.
And once it is going to be exercised, there is an applicable normative regulation.
Thus, the Code of Ethics for the Psychologist was created. Currently, in its 61 articles, it regulates the work of the psychologist in different aspects of professional practice in Spain. The Code places great value and a fundamental character on work ethics.
In a generic way, professional codes tend to enunciate a series of ethical principles that constitute shared ideals or aspirations. In this case, it would be the one developed by psychologists. These embody in the Code the common values, fundamental during the exercise of the profession, which must be present in working with patients.
Specifically, the Code of Ethics of the Spanish Psychologist includes in its article 6 what are the principles that define this profession. These would be respect for the person, protection of human rights, a sense of responsibility, honesty and sincerity with clients.
What else is included in the Code?
In the same way, the codes also include in their text a normative set. This would be the professional duties that govern the profession. In the Code of Ethics of the Psychologist, these norms have come to be defined as “rules of an explicit agreement” between the professional group of psychologists and the community in which they provide their services. That is, between professionals and patients.
The set of rules must be in line with Spanish legislation. Also with the information present in the Psychologist’s Guide. The Psychologist’s Guide is a magazine edited by the Official College of Psychologists of Madrid that has more than 34 years of experience. It has been able to establish itself as the most emblematic periodical publication in Spanish Psychology.
This magazine contains updated information on the activities and services of the College. Also, news and articles on professional topics of interest are included. Approximately 60,000 people receive or visit this publication on a monthly basis.
Additional regulation
The LOPS (Law for the Regulation of Health Professions) left general psychology out of the consideration of a health profession. In this way, only graduates in psychology who obtained the title of Specialist in Clinical Psychology could be included in this section.
This fact caused a large number of professionals who practiced psychology in the health field without having the specialist qualification to be left in a situation of legal uncertainty. Finding a solution to the problem, in October 2011, through the seventh additional provision to the General Public Health Law (Law 33/2011 of October 4), the figure of the General Health Psychologist was created. In this way, access to clinical psychology in the private sphere is possible through a Master’s degree that accredits the person with a degree in psychology as a General Health Psychologist.
