The current landscape of psychological counseling outside the medical profession: A look into the future
As President of the Association of Psychological Counselors outside the Medical Profession (VpsyB e.V.), I, together with the Executive Committee, view the evolution of our discipline with a mixture of pride and awareness of the challenges that lie ahead. Psychological counselling in Germany is undergoing a dynamic process of transformation, characterized by social developments, technologization and an increasing need for diversified counselling services. This transformation is both an opportunity and a call for reflection and innovation in our profession.
Quality through quantification and qualification
A significant step towards the future is the implementation of stringent quality standards. The focus here is on quantifying our successes and the continuous qualification of our members. Evidence-based practice is essential to demonstrate the effectiveness of our work and to meet the needs of our clients. The development and accreditation of our training programs is at the heart of our efforts to ensure excellence in counseling.
Digital innovation as an imperative
The digitalization of psychological counselling is no longer a futuristic scenario - it is a reality. Telecounseling and online interventions have long been integrated into our everyday work and offer innovative solutions to improve the accessibility and efficiency of psychological counseling. As an association, we are committed to the development of standards that guarantee the security and confidentiality of digital counseling contexts while ensuring the quality of counseling.
Interdisciplinarity as a strategic necessity
The complexity of psychosocial issues requires an interdisciplinary approach. The integration of findings from psychology, social science, education and other disciplines not only enriches our understanding, but also our practice. Such synergy enables us to develop tailor-made and holistic counseling concepts that meet the individual needs of our clients.
Commitment to the profession
Our commitment to the future of psychological counseling outside of the medical profession is unwavering. We are faced with the task of continuously developing our profession to meet the changing needs of society. This includes strengthening professional identity and promoting lifelong learning among our members.
An appeal for collaboration
Finally, I would like to make an appeal for increased collaboration within our profession and beyond. The challenges we face require joint efforts and the exchange of knowledge and experience. I invite all professionals to get actively involved and join us in shaping the future of psychological counseling in Germany.
Sandra Neumayr
President of the Association of Psychological Counselors outside the Medical Profession (VpsyB e.V.)