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How to work as an emergency psychologist?

Let's see the functions of the emergency psychologist and what must be done to become one.

By Nouman ul haqPublished 2 years ago 4 min read
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Psychology applied to the field of mental health never approaches the well-being of people by understanding it as something abstract, but always starts from a specific context from which to intervene. In many cases, this context is that of a person who attends psychotherapy sessions as a patient, but this is not always the case.

For example, the work of emergency psychologists begins at a time when the person has not spent several days, weeks or even months thinking about the possibility of starting a therapy process to overcome a problem that has been affecting them for a long time; On the contrary, this type of specialist works just after crisis situations have occurred, disruptive experiences that have negatively affected one or more people through a specific experience: the unexpected death of a family member, a traffic accident, a natural disaster etc.

Now then… What exactly are the functions of the emergency psychologist and how to dedicate oneself to this professional field? Let's see it.

What does the work of emergency psychologists consist of?

This branch of psychology is designed for situations in which it is necessary to intervene quickly in crisis situations that have the potential to damage mental health in a relatively short period of time due to their disruptive nature. For example:

  • Natural disasters
  • Violent attacks in the context of a war
  • evictions
  • Kidnapping or robbery with violence
  • Crisis in bankrupt organizations
  • missing people
  • suicide attempts
  • violations
  • Traffic accidents

Due to this, emergency psychology is closely linked to disorders associated with the phenomenon of trauma , which can appear in the face of very stressful experiences that affect the way in which the person integrates what is happening in their memory, giving rise to sequelae. that can last for months or even years if psychologists are not involved.

Now, as we will see, emergency psychology is not limited to being strictly a type of trauma intervention just after the traumatic experience has occurred. Seen globally and in summary, the main functions of this type of professional are the following.

1. Urgent mental health support in isolated critical events

Support is offered to victims as quickly as possible , both to prevent the trauma from consolidating, affecting the mental health of people in the long term, and to prevent the behavior of people in shock or daze from generating dangerous situations. for themselves or for others.

2. Urgent mental health support in the event of chronic events

Although emergency psychology is oriented towards crises, some of these appear in the context of a chronic problem , such as psychotic disorders, addictions, homelessness, etc.

3. Attention and sensitivity towards cultural differences

The intervention and that of other mobilized professionals are advised and guided to avoid generating problems due to the lack of information about the cultural background of the people being helped, something especially useful in contexts with high percentages of migrated people , in crisis of refugees, and in intervening in countries at war.

4. Prevention and intervention in stakeholders

Work is also carried out taking into account the mental health of professionals who regularly work with crisis victims, taking into account that the work carried out in this type of situation has a great capacity to generate burnout , second-hand stress and other psychological alterations.

How to become an emergency psychologist?

Developing professionally in the field of emergency psychology implies first completing a university degree in Psychology and then specializing in this field through a Master's degree .

If in the Degree or Bachelor's Degree the fundamentals of behavioral science are learned and the critical tools are acquired to distinguish between scientifically validated methodologies and those that are not, it is in the subsequent specialization that the theoretical-practical training is really received. necessary to work in crisis and emergency situations, provided that not only master classes are given, but also an internship period attended by experts in the field.

It should be noted that not in all cases it is necessary to work in the clinical or health psychology field to specialize and work from emergency psychology: these functions can also be carried out by NGOs, the security forces, social work, etc.

Do you want to train to be an emergency psychologist?

If you are interested in specializing in this branch of applied psychology, the Master in psychological intervention in crisis situations, catastrophes and emergencies offered by the European University is for you.

Lasting one year and 60 ECTS credits, it is a training program that has an online modality and a face-to-face modality at the Faculty of Biomedical and Health Sciences (located in Villaviciosa de Odón). It offers the possibility of learning both the theory and the practice of psychology applied to emergencies, from the hand of active professionals who combine the exercise of the profession with teaching. In addition, it is the only master's degree in the market with internships at the UCI. Upon completion, students will receive a Degree issued by the European University of Madrid.

If you want to obtain more information about the Master in psychological intervention in crisis situations, catastrophes and emergencies, access this page of the European University.

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Nouman ul haq

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