Cerović: There is chaos in the profession of psychologists

In Montenegro, the profession of psychologist does not legally exist and it is necessary to urgently establish a psychological chamber and set standards, as well as academic and educational requirements for that profession, said psychologist Radoje Cerović.

"There is no law that regulates that profession and there is total chaos in the professional, ethical, educational and every other aspect of that profession. Colleagues find their way in a semi-illegal space," Cerović told the MINA agency.

He believes that there is an urgent need to establish a psychological chamber, to set professional standards, academic and educational requirements.

"It is especially important for citizens to understand that the title of psychologist (which is obtained with a diploma from that faculty) does not imply psychotherapeutic activity," stated Cerović.

He explained that psychotherapists in all regulated systems are psychologists or psychiatrists (with the exception of some other professions) who have completed one of the multi-year and accredited schools of psychotherapy.

Cerović pointed out that the accreditation of those schools is done at the level of the Law, or he transfers that authority to some kind of national body, such as the psychological chamber, for example.

"In the absence of such systems of rules, psychologists and psychotherapists are legally on the same level as herbalists, healers and various village miracle workers," said Cerović.

According to him, psychotherapy is treated in Montenegrin legislation as an "alternative form of medicine", among other methods that the legislator has determined are "not harmful".

"However grotesque it might be to a colleague from the European Union, it is a big step compared to a few years ago when the term psychotherapy did not appear in any legal framework. But from there to the precise arrangement of this matter is a huge road, and the consequences are borne, first of all, by the citizens of Montenegro", said Cerović.

He, talking about the importance of mental hygiene for maintaining peace in life and what it entails, assessed that this term is a bit sarcastic and a pseudo-medical name for taking care of mental and emotional well-being.

He pointed out that there is no doubt that any form of attention to one's own mental states is very important in the life of each individual.

Cerović said that the dominant thinking in society, unfortunately, always locates the problem "outside the individual".

He explained that this means that all thinking about mental well-being is limited to thinking about external factors such as earnings, work and family relationships.

Cerović pointed out that psychology does not ignore such aspects, but primarily draws attention to the fact that internal "prisms" (beliefs, values, self-image and emotional processes) are what will make life quality or lead an individual into depression.

He added that no one can "avoid life" (adversities, problems, unexpected situations, loss of loved ones).

"The essential question is what distinguishes those who, despite all that, "go forward" (or feel fulfilled) and those who enter into chronic anxiety, depression and psychosomatic diseases related to stress", said Cerović.

He stated that preventive action in this sense implies, first of all, awareness of the importance of emotional and mental balance, and then access to methods and ways of "working on yourself".

"You have a fundamental problem here in Montenegro, because both the supply and demand of such methods have been reduced to an elementary level and are far from adequate. There are a lot of pseudo-scientific methods, as well as terminological misunderstanding", assessed Cerović.

According to him, the concept of meditation is identified by most people with "relaxed thinking on a free topic", i.e. the so-called "brain on pasture" attitude.

Cerović added that others believe that it is some kind of religious practice that goes against the principles of local religions, something like prayer. "And the truth about meditation in modern psychology is quite different".

Speaking about the importance of mental hygiene in avoiding depression, he pointed out that any awareness of preventive action is of great importance.

Cerović announced that depression is the diagnosis with the greatest increase in the Western world and in some ten to 20 years it could become the most common diagnosis in everyday medical practice.

"It is true that we do not yet know what is the cause of this trend, but the sooner (and especially in Montenegro) it is necessary to understand that the probability of experiencing at least one period of life in a state of clinical depression is enormous. It is more likely that it will happen than not," said Cerović.

Speaking about Montenegrin society's prejudices against people who go to psychologists, he said that Montenegrin society is characterized by a high degree of exclusivity and prejudice against a number of phenomena that are marked as deviations from the norm.

"Psychological issues are an example of such phenomena "par excellence" and the stigma associated with it is dramatic," Cerović believes.

He stated that the big question is why this is so.

"But the explanation is linked to a high level of right-oriented social consciousness that favors social hierarchies, patriarchal consciousness, conservative way of thinking, ethnic (racial, religious) phobia and clero-nationalism," concluded Cerović.