5 Things You Might Not Know About Psychologists

This article offers a glimpse into the world of psychologists, highlighting five intriguing aspects of this deeply human and fulfilling profession.

The aim is to expand your understanding in a light-hearted way or simply to pique your curiosity.

1. Celebration

Did you know that May 20 is celebrated as Psychologist Day in Mexico?

This observance originated in 1994 when several psychology-related associations gathered for the first time at the invitation of the College of Professional Psychologists at the University of Guadalajara, Jalisco. The goal was to promote the role of these professionals.

Psychology is a wonderful profession, and having a designated day to celebrate it provides a great opportunity for us to gain visibility among those who need to recognize the valuable work of psychologists. Additionally, promoting mental health in society from this perspective is essential. After all, before becoming students and professionals in the field, we are human beings who draw from our internal work to understand, support, and help heal others. Therefore, it is indeed worth celebrating this noble discipline.

2. Psychologists in Therapy

Did you know that psychologists also undergo their own therapeutic processes?

Psychologists often seek support from colleagues to better manage their emotional well-being, just as they do for their patients.

Being a psychologist involves more than just supporting another person; we also need to confront our fears, frustrations, and the myriad emotions we experience daily. This is crucial for maintaining our personal well-being and balance.

It is vital for psychologists to take care of their mental health to ensure consistency between the emotional management of the therapist and the patient, allowing us to be effective professionals in our practice. Engaging in therapy is a common practice among psychologists, not just as an academic requirement but as a beneficial factor for our professional practice. Experiencing therapy ourselves fosters understanding and empathy towards others and even towards the therapeutic process itself.

3. Psychologists vs. Psychiatrists

Did you know that the roles of psychologists and psychiatrists are often confused, despite significant differences?

One of the main distinctions is that psychologists focus on thought patterns, behaviors, and emotions without prescribing medication. While psychiatrists do not necessarily have to prescribe medication to all their patients, this is a key difference between the two professions. Nonetheless, both are concerned with the mental health of their patients.

This difference does not imply that we disagree on the various approaches to addressing and guiding emotional management for our patients. In fact, a single patient may benefit from the support of both professionals. We complement each other; psychologists can refer patients who may need medication, while we provide strategies and techniques to help patients navigate their daily challenges effectively.

4. Professional Standards

In Mexico, the Ethical Code for Psychologists has been in effect since 1984, published by the Mexican Society of Psychology. This code establishes guidelines for proper professional practice, addressing common ethical dilemmas to ensure professionalism focused on patient health. For instance, it emphasizes the importance of maintaining confidentiality.

As psychologists, we must be responsible and uphold our professional practice to provide quality service, which necessitates having standards that guide us in meeting the challenges society presents. The ethical code provides the necessary framework for our work, ensuring the quality of our service.

5. Approaches

Psychologists can specialize in various schools of thought, such as Gestalt, Cognitive-Behavioral, Psychoanalysis, and Systemic approaches, among others. Each of these perspectives addresses human developmental issues differently:

• Gestalt: Emphasizes awareness of the here and now.
• Cognitive-Behavioral: Focuses on thought and behavioral patterns.
• Psychoanalysis: Highlights the study of the unconscious to understand individual behavior.
• Systemic: Examines the impact of a person's interactions with the systems that shape their life.

While these are not the only schools of thought, psychology is a relatively young discipline that encompasses a vast body of knowledge. Numerous scholars have contributed their theories over time, providing a rich understanding of human behavior from various viewpoints.

Consequently, psychology has evolved, leading to the emergence of different approaches for studying behavior and the mind. Although they differ in methodology and understanding, they share a common goal: the mental well-being of individuals, focusing on various resources and methods to promote mental health and human development.

Understanding this allows you to choose the approach that best suits your needs when seeking the guidance of a psychology specialist.

An Extra Note...

It’s important to recognize that social contexts transform over time. Thus, psychology continues to evolve, with new approaches emerging in recent years that provide frameworks for the fascinating study of human behavior and innovative treatments that enhance the practice of psychologists.

Through these brief paragraphs, you’ve gained insight into the vast and fascinating world of psychology with facts you may not have known.

Thank you for reading!