Proposition de réforme de la formation des psychologues : du morcellement par les masters à l’harmonisation par un doctorat généraliste

Abstract

Psychologists: a profession in high demand that requires training reforms – In France, as in many other countries, the number of psychologists has been in constant growth to the point that they now account for by far the largest number of professionals in the “psy” family. Demand for psychologists’ services has also risen significantly in remarkably varied sectors over the last few years. Despite this development, which is likely to intensify, psychologists’ initial training in the Master's system remains highly uneven in France. It is segmented into too many different high education courses, many of which are ill adapted to the legitimate expectations of clients (be it individual clients or institutions). Across dozens of different courses, the teaching and the learning processes are all different, or at least partially different. Dividing up the profession in this way deprives future psychologists of general theoretical and practical knowledge, which are indispensable to working in the field. Reform and harmonise the training of psychologists by adopting one single course and one single doctorate in psychology – The current situation means that it is important to reform the way that psychologists are trained as soon as possible by prolonging, updating, homogenising, adapting the process to current knowledge and needs, and finally by recognising it with one single and clear title: the doctorate. This reformed course and doctorate, which could include an internship in psychology, should combine training with professional experience, research and teaching. It is uniquely through the framework of a more general doctorate – and not through the multiplication of options – that each potential psychologist might receive training that is relevant across the board, useful, of a high standard and one which incorporates all of the fields of application in the discipline (education, health, justice, social, work, transport, sport, teaching, research, etc.). A reform based on the excellence of training and services provided– The problem is constantly getting worse and is particularly evident in the French system. The situation can be summarised thus; it is essential that we train far fewer psychologists, but it is also imperative that we train them better. The number of psychologists in training could be adapted to both demand and available job opportunities by putting in place a numerus clausus policy for entry into the first year of the Master's degree. This reform should equally be accompanied by an indispensable and significant revision of the selection and skills criteria regarding those who would lead this renovated training program. Another improvement, among many, would be the recruitment of teachers who would be employed as practitioner-teacher-researchers by psychologists who have already proven themselves through their work in the field, their teaching and their contribution to psychological research. Their capacity to train future psychologists for the professional duties that they are likely to undertake (psychological assessments, diagnoses, psychotherapies, information, prevention, expertise in justice, scholarly or professional orientation, supervision, etc.) should be one of the main criteria in candidates’ selection. The reform could also establish a model to follow for the standardisation of the quality of psychologists’ training and the services that they provide in the European Union as a whole. This reform, based on the excellence of training and the resulting improvement in services, would also restore and preserve the indispensable unity of the discipline and profession of psychologist, which must be retained beyond the multiplicity of the sectors of intervention and professional exercise. It would make the possibility of entering into internships and of changing sectors during the course of a career easier, as well as improving professional geographic mobility. Finally, it would ensure a much-needed improvement in the quality of service provided for our fellow citizens, along with providing an essential clarification for the “psy” nebula that exists today.