Summary
Counselling Associations
All Professional Bodies, National Associations (e.g. Mental Health, School, Guidance, Addiction, Faith-based etc.) and Accrediting Organisations.
Portuguese Association of Person-centered Psychotherapy and Counselling (APPCPC)
- Website: www.appcpc.com
- Organisation Size: ca. 50 members
The European Board for Certified Counsellors
- Website: www.europeanbcc.eu
- Organisation Size: ca. 7 members
Universities and Other Education and Training Institutes
Portuguese Association of person-centered Psychotherapy and Counselling (APPCPC)
- Website: www.appcpc.com
- Programme Website: N/A
- Programme Types: Diploma in Counselling
University Coimbra
- University Website: www.uc.pt
- Programme Website: N/A
- Programme Types: Master of Psychology, PhD in Psychology
University Beira Interior
- University Website: www.ubi.pt
- Programme Website: N/A
- Programme Types: Bachelor of Psychology, Master of Clinical and Health Psychology
University Trás-os.Montes & Alto Douro
- University Website: www.utad.pt
- Programme Website: N/A
- Programme Types: Bachelor of Psychology, Master of Psychology
Counselling Agencies, Services, Group Practices, Counselling Centres
Euroguidance Centre Portugal
- Website: euroguidance.gov.pt/
- Programme Types: Training in psychology
Background & Context
Counselling does not appear to be an independent profession in Portugal. I the context of psychology and psychotherapy, school and vocational counselling are offered.
The career guidance for example dates back to the first decades of the 20th century. Counselling psychology services have also been implemented in the schools and universities. The counselling services are organized mainly under the responsibility of the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Employment, Solidarity and Social Affairs.
The majority of consultants in Portugal are qualified psychologists with a variable degree of specialisation.
Psychotherapy normally is not financed by the National System of Social Insurance, unless when prescribed by a psychiatrist. In general, private mental health insurance doesn’t cover psychotherapy sessions. The public health care system includes a Psychological Service for diagnosis and consultation which is avaiable in most Health Centers. There are hospitals that refer to mental health, although the number of clinical psychologists in the public service is quite limited.
Current Regulatory Status / Level of Recognition:
Portugal has a compulsory regulated by law for the mental health professions (Medical Doctors, Psychologists, Nurses). The psychotherapy in this context is a specialization of those professions.
The Order of Portuguese Psychology is the national body responsible for the accreditation, training and regulation of psychologists in Portugal. Regulamento No. 258/2011 is a recommendation document that integrates ethical principles of the profession in psychology in every area and contexts of application.
Practice Settings
The most common psychotherapeutic orientations are the cognitive-behavior-therapy, the psychodynamic psychotherapy, inspired on psychoanalysis, the systemic familiar therapy and the humanistic psychotherapy.
- online counselling
- clinical supervision
- in schools, universities
- Career guidance
Challenges & Trends
Trends: A growing range of advice. Every public school has counselling services for children aged 5-16 years, at the end of compulsory schooling. Information, advice are carried out by school psychologists. Teachers and parents are also involved in the consultation process than the others involved.
Additional Information & References
Portugal