Who is the psychologist?
I would like to start by debunking several myths surrounding the psychologist:
❌ The psychologist is not a shaman, a magician who makes the "problem" disappear with a magic wand, or a psychic who reads people's minds.
❌ The psychologist is not a professional reserved for those who are commonly and erroneously defined as "crazy".
A practical example is the phrase that all of us have heard thousands of times:
"Only crazy people go to the psychologist!"
❌ Not all psychologists are psychoanalysts, not all of us psychoanalyze people as they speak,
going to the psychologist doesn't mean you will have to "lie on a bed",
many of us wouldn't know how to do it.
It all depends on the professional training and the approach chosen by the psychologist.
Finally, but this is a friendly advice, be aware of the arrogant ones, those who think they know everything,
convinced that nothing matters except their opinion.
One of the fundamental things they teach us is to always question everything,
to not try to assiduously confirm our ideas but rather always be open to accepting others,
using a critical reasoning.
I think the answer to the question, and therefore the most faithful description of the figure of the psychologist,
can be found in the Code of Ethics , whose articles define in the best way
who really is the psychologist and according to what principles he/she should operate.
I have selected some articles or parts of these which, in my opinion, can be most relevant to those interested in knowing this (mysterious) figure of the psychologist.
Art.3 - The psychologist considers it his duty to increase knowledge on human behavior and use it to promote the psychological well-being of the individual, the group and the community. In every professional sphere, it works to improve people's ability to understand themselves and others and to behave in a conscious, congruous and effective manner .
The psychologist is aware of the social responsibility deriving from the fact that, in professional practice, he can significantly intervene in the lives of others ; therefore he must pay particular attention to personal, social, organizational, financial and political factors, in order to avoid the inappropriate use of his influence, and does not unduly use the trust and possible situations of dependence of the clients and recipients of his professional performance .
The psychologist is responsible for his own professional acts and their foreseeable direct consequences.
Art. 4 - In exercising the profession, the psychologist respects the dignity, the right to privacy, self-determination and autonomy of those who make use of his services; he respects their opinions and beliefs, refraining from imposing his system of values; does not discriminate on the basis of religion, ethnicity, nationality, social background, socio-economic status, gender, sexual orientation, disability .
The psychologist uses methods and techniques while safeguarding these principles, and refuses his collaboration in initiatives that are harmful to them. (...)
Art. 5 - .. (...) ... The psychologist recognizes the limits of his own competence and therefore uses only theoretical - practical tools for which he has acquired adequate competence and, where necessary, formal authorization.
The psychologist uses methodologies of which he is able to indicate the sources and scientific references, and does not arouse, in the expectations of the client and / or user, unfounded expectations.
Art 37 - The psychologist accepts the professional mandate only within the limits of his / her competences.
If the interest of the client and / or the recipient of the service requires the use of other specific skills, the psychologist offers advice or sending it to another colleague or other professional.