Low cost psychologists: analyzing low cost therapists

Anxiety, stress, substance abuse, affective disorders or problems of development or social adjustment are increasingly present elements in our society. In a world like today, many people require specialized psychological care and, as a professional activity, what is it? Said attention supposes a remuneration for those who exercise it..

However, some of the people who need these services do not have enough resources to do against the fees of a private professional, which is why the demand for low-cost psychologists has appeared cost.

Low cost psychologists: explaining the concept

As you already know, psychology is a scientific discipline whose object of study is the human psyche. Psychologists dedicate their professional activity to working with people, groups and diverse organizations, having trained for years and polished their skills and competencies in order to offer the best service possible.

There are many professionals who carry out their activity within the public sphere, but the characteristics of the public environment causes many professionals to decide to establish themselves and create or enter consultations and psychological institutes of type private.

Going to a private psychology center usually implies a more personal treatment, differentiated and with a more continuous availability, in addition to being able to find more frequently other approaches that deviate from the most common methodologies. However, this type of consultation usually has a moderate cost (it must be taken into account that the professional must face multiple expenses in the management and maintenance of the consultation) that in the long run can become difficult to bear for many.

Thus, it is possible that many people who would require psychological attention in a more continuous and specific way than in the (if such public health exists in the territory in question) may not be able to assume the costs that it implies. The knowledge of this fact has caused the birth of some associations and professionals that offer low-cost psychological intervention. They are known as "low cost psychologists".

Psychology within reach of any pocket

This type of low-cost psychology aims to serve as a bridge between the benefits of therapy and patients who cannot afford it. They are usually associations, NGOs and groups of professionals who, given the observation that many problems remain unresolved, treatment due to lack of resources decide to reduce the cost of their services, adjusting this aspect to the economic capacity of the subject.

With regard to the legality and possibility of performing therapy at low cost, according to the deontological code, it must be taken into account that the remuneration demanded by the professional should not imply that the profession is devalued or that there is competition unfair. However, yes, it is possible and legal to carry out a psychological intervention of these characteristics, and even exceptionally for free, if customers require it and are unable to meet the cost.

To go to this type of associations and low cost psychologists, it is required to present the documentation that demonstrates the socioeconomic status of the above, so that remuneration can be set according to their possibilities while preventing the abusive use of this type of services.

The situation in Spain

Although in Spain it is not so frequent since there are psychology professionals within Social Security, it is a growing trend in other South American countries. Despite this, due to the economic problems associated with the crisis and the difficulty of accessing services because of the poor relationship between supply and demand (greatly exceeding the demand for psychologists to the offer) due to its high level of demand, similar associations have begun to emerge on our borders.

Despite the fact that the low price may suggest otherwise, the professionals who offer this type of therapy are still qualified psychologists, requiring sufficient accreditation to take care of the patients and clients who come to them or otherwise they would be acting in a fraudulent and punishable manner by law.

In Spain, in the case of clinical psychology, it is necessary at least to be in possession of the title and accreditation of a general health psychologist or specialist in clinical psychology, in addition to being a member of the Official College of Psychologists.

Advantages and disadvantages of offering low-cost therapy

As in almost everything, in low cost psychology there are lights and shadows.

The good thing about this collection policy

The main advantage of this type of intervention is evident: low cost psychology allows to provide advice and therapy to those who cannot afford to go to other types of services. This can bring relief to a large number of people who might not otherwise receive specialized care.

The low cost can also lead to a reduction in the level of abandonment of the therapy, which is sometimes due to decreases in the purchasing power of clients (layoffs, for example).

In the same way, the greater accessibility on the part of a large number of people makes it possible to contribute so that going to a psychologist is no longer a matter socially stigmatized, given that the idea that going to a consultation is only appropriate for people with serious disorders is still valid in part of the population mental.

The bad of low cost psychology

But although going to a low cost center can be a great help and benefit for the person who goes to it, it is It is necessary to take into account that it may involve some risks and/or inconveniences compared to other types of professionals.

One of the main risks is that the center or association in question is real. Although there are centers and institutions of low-cost psychologists of proven effectiveness, in the internet age it is easy to find cases of supposed professionals who have neither the training nor the legal capacity to practice psychology, running the risk that fraud situations may be hidden under supposed offers that attract attention.

In this sense, it is necessary to document and gather information about the center and the professionals that offer therapy to verify that they are who they say they are. Psychology professionals must be accredited as such and collegiate for such to be able to practice.

The risk of denigrating the union

Another risk comes from the fact that, although low-cost therapy is possible, This must be given only under the assumption that it does not denigrate the profession or unfair competition is incurred with other professionals.. It must be taken into account that a price that is too low can underestimate the training, effort, skill and dedication required to successfully carry out a treatment or therapy.

Thus, it is necessary to take into account that this type of low-cost therapy should be dedicated to situations in which clients who need an intervention do not have the resources enough.

Finally, another drawback of this type of low cost psychology refers to the fact that despite the fact that the service is of quality, it is possible that certain treatment or evaluation modalities cannot be carried out cape. This is due to the limitations of the lack of budget, and it is that the resources available to a center greatly limit the type of services it can offer.