Psychological Сounseling

Profession

A consultant psychologist is a specialist in an auxiliary non-medical profession associated with the provision of psychological assistance to a client in finding solutions to problems in behavior, emotional life, social interaction, and adaptation processes. In the course of special professionally organized communication, the psychologist-consultant creates conditions for the client's self-development, the disclosure of inner potential in order to overcome internal barriers, difficult life situations, stress, and crisis conditions. Psychologists-consultants help people of different ages, social, professional and ethno-cultural groups to resolve their family, organizational, interpersonal conflicts, intrapersonal problems, difficulties in the transition to a certain stage of development. In his work, the consultant psychologist pays special attention to the resources available to a particular individual, which provides soft and at the same time effective support, taking into account the scientific base within the frame of a particular school (school of psychoanalysis, cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy, Gestalt therapy, humanistic psychology, etc.). In the course of professional activity, the psychologist-consultant uses methods of psychological education, psycho-diagnostics and psycho-correction, individual, family, group support of clients and trainings.

Educational Process

The goals of the program are to familiarize with the principles of work of a practical psychologist, the code of ethics, the initial consultation procedure and psycho-diagnostics; formation of skills to determine the goals and objectives of the psychologist’s practical activities, as well as the ability to determine the true request of a client; gaining experience in applying basic psycho-diagnostic methods in practice; developing the ability to analyze the activities as a practicing psychologist, the effectiveness of the work performed in accordance with the psychologist’s ethical code.
Key disciplines: “Fundamentals of psycho-counseling”, “Fundamentals of psychotherapy”, “Current problems of the theory and practice of modern psychology”, “Cognitive psychotherapy”, “Transactional analysis”, “Intercultural communication training”, “Fundamentals of Gestalt therapy”, “Introduction to NLP ”, “Psychoanalysis”, “Theory and practice of conflict”, “Psychodrama”, “Art therapy”, “Crisis counseling”, “Individual counseling”, “Telephone counseling”, “Family counseling”, “Body-oriented therapy”, “Positive psychotherapy”, “Training of behavior in stressful situations”, “Psychological support in the fight against terrorism”, “Training for the development of leadership abilities”.

Practice

During the entire period of studying, students carry out practical advisory activities, which are implemented on the following practice bases: RUDN Psychological Support Office (individual, group counseling, training, supervision), All-Russian organization “Union of Volunteers of Russia”, Orel Regional Organization of the All-Russian Public Organization “Russian Union Youth”, State Budgetary Institution Center for Social Assistance to Families and Children “Doverie”, IE Dishchuk Dora “Tsar’s Children”, LLC “Audit-VS”, State Budgetary Institution Center for Social Assistance to Families and Children “Dialogue”, LLC “Private Practice of Doctor Agarkova”, Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation.

Career

The sphere of professional activity of a psychologist-consultant may include psychoprophylactic and psychodiagnostic work, conducting individual and group psychological consultations in accordance with the direction of work: family counseling, counseling in the field of child-parent relationships, marital relations, organizing personal growth, psychological counseling at work, conducting supervision, working with dependencies, etc. The place of work of a psychologist-consultant can be specialized psychological divisions of enterprises, educational institutions, personnel services, social development services, various professional psychological counseling services. More than 70% of graduates of the master’s program work on the profile of training in consulting and training centers; centers of social support of the population; in schools and universities; in the psychological service of the Ministry of Emergency Situations; in the field of public relations, mass communication, advertising and business, etc. About 20% of master’s degree graduates continue their postgraduate studies at Russian and foreign universities. Foreign graduates, as a rule, work in their native countries in educational institutions, ministries, in business, and conduct private practice.