Discussing the law on psychological assistance: directions and types of activities of a psychologist (Part 1)

Context and relevance. The article is devoted to the discussion of the draft law ‘On the Fundamentals of Regulation of Psychological Activity in the Russian Federation’, namely article 6 ‘Types of Psychological Activity’. In the opinion of the authors, the 7 activities proposed in the article of the draft law do not cover the whole range and variety of activities performed by psychologists. Objective. To disclose and describe the content of the main directions and types of professional activities of psychologists. Methods and materials. The methods of conceptual analysis, generalisation and the method of document analysis, as well as a systematic approach to comprehending the professional activity of psychologists were used in the work. Results. The authors provide a definition of types and areas of activity, in which types form a cycle that contributes to the achievement of goals in the process of implementation of a particular work by a psychologist with a client, his environment or an organisation. Such common types of activities as psychodiagnostics, developmental activities, psychocorrection, psychological education, teaching psychology, psychological counselling, psychotherapy, psychological expertise, career guidance, and psychological supervision are discussed. Definitions are given for such areas of activity as psychoprophylaxis, psychological support and psychosocial rehabilitation. Conclusions. The main types and directions of psychologists' activity discussed in the article should be reflected in the draft law on psychological activity, as the list specified there now definitely needs to be expanded.

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