Legal Aspects Of Practicing Psychology
Psychologists can have a direct influence on individual and group development, which is why it is extremely important for them to be professional. In this article, we will discuss some of the ethical aspects of practicing psychology and the laws and codes that regulate its practice.
The job of a psychologist is, among other things, to help people improve their quality of life and well-being. Because psychologists can influence patients’ mental health, they have a certain amount of power that must be regulated. That is why the Code of Deontology is so important in Spain.
Other countries have similar codes, such as the American Psychology Association’s Ethical Principles and the United States Code of Conduct. In the Netherlands we have the NIP Code of Conduct.
How does the state regulate the work of psychologists?
For example, the Colegio Oficial de Psicologos (the Official College of Psychologists) in Spain regulates the professional practice of psychology. The association is a state organization that brings together all Spanish psychologists in one institution.
If you want to be able to work as a psychologist in Spain, you must meet certain conditions. This of course also applies to the Netherlands. First of all, you need a valid diploma and be registered with an official psychological association. There are also additional qualifications for anyone entering the healthcare field.
Once you start practicing, there is a whole set of rules to follow. The psychology community created the Code of Ethics for Psychologists to regulate the legal aspects of practicing psychology.
Due to the nature of the psychological profession, the code focuses primarily on ethical questions that affect both psychologists and their patients.
In general, codes of conduct contain a set of ethical principles that reflect the shared ideals or aspirations of a particular profession. This code of conduct is therefore the set of principles that psychologists share with each other. They define the common and fundamental values that should govern all the work psychologists do with their patients.
The Spanish Code of Ethics for Psychologists contains six articles that set out the principles that define the profession. These are respect for the patient, protection of human rights, the psychologist’s sense of responsibility, honesty and sincerity towards customers.
What else does the code contain?
This code of conduct also includes a set of professional responsibilities that regulate the profession. These have been defined as ‘rules of an explicit alliance’ between the professional collective of psychologists and the community they serve. In other words, an agreement between professionals and their patients.
This set of standards must be in accordance with Spanish law (or of the country in which the profession is practiced) and with the information in the Guide for Psychologists. This guide is a magazine published by the Official Association of Psychologists of Madrid. It has become the most important psychology publication in Spain.
This magazine contains updated information about the services and activities of the association. It also contains notices and interesting articles. About 60,000 people read the print or online version of the magazine each month.
Additional Legal Aspects of Practicing Psychology
The Professional Health Care Regulation does not include general psychology as a health care profession. As a result, the regulation only covers specialists in clinical psychology.
This meant that a large number of psychologists found themselves in a legally precarious situation. To solve that problem, a clause was added to the General Public Health Act in 2011 that created the title Psychologist General Health Care .
That way, entry into clinical psychology in the private sector is possible through a master’s program that grants the title of Psychologist General Health Care upon completion.
