The Psychological Practice Under Suspicion: On the Necessity of the Philosophy in the Psychological Practice Care

Abstract

The current monopoly of psychology on various facets of human life is causing psychological care practice to become increasingly suspect. And while this kind of practice has legitimate aims, they are controversial. This paper highlights the lack of an agreed goal between the professionals of psychological care practice. The first part argues that psychological care practice does not provide a clear and agreed goal. This lack of consensus is due to a disciplinary problem of psychology and it damages its image as a responsible profession. In the second part, we propose a goal that unifies various psychological care practices beyond their differences and through which their professional action is legitimate. The hypothesis presented posits that the aim of psychological care practice should be to relieve patients"™ suffering, which is precisely where the need for such practice originates. However, to understand the nature of suffering, psychological care practice must regain its relationship with philosophy.