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So, guys! João Barros talking here. Today I will unravel a theme that generates a lot of confusion: what is the difference between a course of psychoanalysis and a psychology course? I prepared a complete material for you to understand the nuances, possibilities and paths of each area. Let’s go to this!
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Introduction: Two journeys to understand the human mind
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When we talk about mental health and understanding of human behavior, psychology and psychoanalysis are two words that often appear. Although they are areas that relate, they represent very different educational and professional paths.
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THEPsychoanalysis CourseIt offers a deep dive into a specific approach to understanding the mind, based on Freud’s thoughts and its successors. On the other hand, a psychology course provides a broad view of the various theoretical currents that explain human behavior, including psychoanalysis itself, but also many others.
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Before deciding which way to go, it is essential to understand what each one represents, their particularities, requirements and professional possibilities. Let’s unravel all this!
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Historical roots: Where did psychology and psychoanalysis come from?
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Origins of Psychology
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Psychology as a formal science began to gain strength in the late nineteenth century with the work of Wilhelm Wundt, who established the first laboratory of Experimental Psychology in 1879. The Modern Psychology course is heir to a scientific tradition that sought to understand mental processes through systematic observation and experimentation.
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Throughout the twentieth century, psychology developed in multiple theoretical currents, including Watson and Skinner Behaviorism, Rogers and Maslow’s humanist psychology, cognitive psychology, neuropsychology, among other approaches. A course of contemporary psychology contemplates all this historical and theoretical diversity.
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Birth of Psychoanalysis
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Psychoanalysis, in turn, has a more specific origin. He was born with Sigmund Freud in the late nineteenth century, from his studies on hysteria and other mental disorders. The first course of formal psychoanalysis arose with the meetings of the Psychoanalytic Society of Vienna, where Freud and his disciples discussed clinical cases and formulated theories about the unconscious.
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After Freud, psychoanalysis branched in different schools with Melanie Klein, Jacques Lacan, Donald Winnicott and other theorists who brought their contributions to the countryside. A course of psychoanalysis today reflects these different currents within the psychoanalytic tradition.
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Academic Structure: How do the courses organize?
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Psychology Course: The Way of Graduation
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The psychology course in Brazil is a higher level graduation, usually lasting 5 years. It is regulated by the Ministry of Education (MEC) and has a curriculum structure that includes:
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- Basic disciplines of biological sciences (neuroanatomy, neurophysiology)
- Philosophical and historical foundations of psychology
- Human Development Psychology
- Psychopathology
- Psychotherapeutic theories and techniques (including psychoanalysis)
- Social and institutional psychology
- School and Educational Psychology
- Psychological and Psychodiagnosis Evaluation
- Professional ethics
- Compulsory supervised internships
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Upon completion of the psychology course, the graduate must register with the Regional Council of Psychology (CRP) to legally exercise the profession.
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Psychoanalysis Course: Specialized Training
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Unlike psychology, the psychoanalysis course is not a traditional degree, but a specialized training that can be performed after or parallel to other higher education courses. The structure of a typical psychoanalysis course includes:
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- In -depth study of the works of Freud and other psychoanalytic theorists
- Theory of psychoanalytic technique
- CLINICAL CASE STUDY
- Psychoanalytic psychopathology
- Theoretical and clinical seminars
- Supervision of Services
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Moreover, a fundamental aspect of the psychoanalysis course is the so -called “analytical tripod”, which consists of:
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- Theoretical study
- Clinical supervision
- Personal analysis (the candidate for psychoanalyst must go through the analysis process)
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The duration of a psychoanalysis course varies according to the institution, but usually takes 3 to 5 years for a complete formation.
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Programmatic Content: What is learned in each course?
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What is studied in a psychology course
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The Psychology course offers broad and diverse training. See some of the main contents covered:
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| Study area | Topics covered |
|---|---|
| Biological basis | Neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, psychopharmacology |
| Basic processes | Perception, memory, attention, emotion, language |
| Development | Childhood, adolescence, adulthood, aging |
| Psychological theories | Behaviorism, humanism, cognitivism, psychoanalysis, systemic |
| Psychopathology | Mental disorders, diagnosis, intervention |
| Assessment | Psychological tests, interviews, psychodiagnosis |
| Applied areas | Clinical, organizational, school, hospital, legal, social |
| Search | Scientific Methodology, Statistics, TCC |
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The psychology course aims to train generalist professionals, capable of acting in different contexts and with different theoretical approaches.
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What is studied in a psychoanalysis course
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The psychoanalysis course has a much more specific focus, focusing on the deep understanding of psychoanalytic theory and technique:
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| Study area | Topics covered |
|---|---|
| Fundamental works | Texts by Freud, Klein, Lacan, Winnicott, Bion, etc. |
| Basic concepts | Unconscious, drive, transfer, resistance, repression |
| Psychic structures | Neurosis, psychosis, perversion, bordering structures |
| Psychic development | Phases of libidinal development, object relations |
| Psychoanalytic technique | Free association, floating attention, interpretation, transfer management |
| Psychoanalytic psychopathology | Neurotic symptoms, delusions, unconscious fantasies |
| Applied psychoanalysis | Analysis of social, cultural and artistic phenomena |
| Ethics in Psychoanalysis | Analyst’s desire, ethical position, confidentiality |
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A course of psychoanalysis provides a vertical and in -depth knowledge of psychoanalytic theory and its clinical application.
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Requirements and Regulation: Who can take each course?
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Requirements for the Psychology Course
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To enter a psychology course, it is necessary:
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- Have completed high school
- Be approved in the selection process (entrance exam, Enem, etc.)
- Enroll in an institution recognized by the MEC
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The profession of psychologist is regulated by Law No. 4,119/1962 and supervised by the Regional and Federal Councils of Psychology. You can only use the title of psychologist and perform the private activities of the profession who has attended psychology and has registration with the CRP.
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Requirements for the Psychoanalysis Course
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The requirements for a psychoanalysis course vary according to the institution, but usually include:
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- Higher education in any area (in some institutions)
- Selection interview
- Availability for personal analysis
- Interest in psychoanalytic theory
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Importantly, psychoanalysis is not regulated as a profession in Brazil. This means that there is no official advice that regulates who may or may not be psychoanalyst. The main references are societies and schools of psychoanalysis, which establish their own formation and recognition criteria.
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Possibilities of action: What can each professional do?
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Areas of action of the psychologist
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The professional trained in a psychology course has a wide range of possibilities:
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- Clinical Psychology (Private Office or Institutions)
- Hospital and Health Psychology
- School and Educational Psychology
- Organizational and work psychology
- Legal psychology
- Social and Community Psychology
- Neuropsychology
- Sport Psychology
- Teaching and Research in Psychology
- Psychological Assessment (exclusive psychologists)
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The psychologist can act with different theoretical approaches, including psychoanalytic, behavioral, humanist, systemic, among others.
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Psychoanalyst
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The professional trained in a psychoanalysis course has a more specific performance:
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- Psychoanalytic Clinic (office service)
- Clinical supervision (for other psychoanalysts in formation)
- Teaching in psychoanalytic institutions
- Theoretical production and psychoanalysis research
- Analysis of social and cultural phenomena from the psychoanalytic perspective
- Institutional interventions based on psychoanalysis
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It is noteworthy that many psychoanalysts are also psychologists, which expands their possibilities of action.
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Comparative Analysis: Differences and Similarities
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To facilitate understanding, let’s organize the main differences and similarities between a psychoanalysis course and a psychology course:
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| Aspect | Psychology Course | Psychoanalysis Course |
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| Nature | University degree | Specialized training |
| Duration | 5 years (on average) | 3 to 5 years (on average) |
| Regulation | Regulated profession (CRP/CFP) | Not officially regulated |
| Prerequisites | Complete high school | Varies (usually higher education) |
| Amplitude theoretical | Multiple approaches | Focused on psychoanalytic theory |
| Practical emphasis | Varied (clinical, organizational, social, etc.) | Predominantly clinical |
| Legal recognition | Higher level diploma | Certificate of Training |
| Personal therapy requirement | Unquestionable | Compulsory personal analysis |
| Use of psychological tests | Allowed and taught | Does not use psychometric tools |
| Goals | Broad understanding of human behavior | Analysis of the unconscious and its effects |
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Investment and Return: Financial Aspects
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Costs of the Psychology Course
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Investment in a psychology course varies according to the institution:
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- Public Universities: Free (except administrative rates)
- Private Colleges: R $ 800 to R $ 3,000 monthly
- Total duration: approximately 60 monthly fees (5 years)
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In addition to tuition, there are costs with books, materials, transportation and possible extra supervisions.
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Psychoanalysis course costs
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Investment in a psychoanalysis course includes:
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- Course monthly: R $ 600 to R $ 1,500 (varies according to the institution)
- Personal Analysis: R $ 200 to R $ 600 per session (usually 2 to 4 weekly sessions)
- Clinical Supervision: R $ 200 to R $ 500 per supervision
- Specialized bibliographic material
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In total, the psychoanalysis course may represent a considerable investment, especially when considering the cost of personal analysis over several years.
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For whom is each course indicated?
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Who should opt for the psychology course?
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The psychology course is best suited for people than:
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- Want a broad and versatile formation in the area of mental health
- Have interest in different theoretical approaches
- They want to act in various contexts (not just clinical)
- Seek a regulated profession with protected title
- Want to apply specific psychological tests and techniques
- Are not yet decided on which theoretical approach to follow
- Value formal academic recognition
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Who should choose the psychoanalysis course?
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The psychoanalysis course is best suited for people than:
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- Already have specific affinity with psychoanalytic theory
- Want to delve into work with the unconscious
- Have a predominant interest in the clinic and in individual care
- Are willing to go through the process of personal analysis
- Already have another formation (especially in human or health areas)
- Value the in -depth study of classic authors
- Are available for an intense and personal formative process
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The possible integration: combining the two formations
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A growing trend is the complementation of the formations. Many professionals choose to do:
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- First the psychology course, obtaining the broad base and professional registration
- Then the psychoanalysis course, for theoretical and technical specialization
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This combination offers significant advantages:
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- Legal recognition as a psychologist
- POSSIBILITY TO USE PRIVATE INSTRUMENTS OF PSYCHOLOGY
- Deepening in psychoanalytic theory and technique
- Greater professional versatility
- Possibility of service in office with different approaches
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Myths and Truths: Important clarifications
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Let’s demystify some mistaken conceptions:
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Myth 1: “Anyone can be psychoanalyst without formation”
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True: Although there is no legal regulation, serious psychoanalytic societies require rigorous formation. A quality psychoanalysis course is essential for an ethical and grounded practice.
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Myth 2: “Psychoanalysis is just theory, psychology is more practical”
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True: Both have theoretical and practical dimensions. The psychoanalysis course includes extensive supervised clinical practice, as well as the Psychology course.
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Myth 3: “Psychologists and psychoanalysts do the same job”
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True: There are important differences in the approach, technique and tools used. A cognitive behavioral psychologist works very differently from a psychoanalyst.
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Myth 4: “The psychoanalysis course is faster and easier”
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True: Psychoanalysis formation can be as or more demanding than degree in Psychology, considering personal analysis, supervision and in -depth theoretical studies.
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Trends and Future: Where do these formations go?
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New directions for the Psychology course
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The psychology course has been incorporating more and more:
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- Neurosciences and interfaces with biology
- Evidence -based techniques
- Positive psychology and integrative approaches
- Digital technologies (telepsychology, applications, virtual reality)
- Brief and focal interventions
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Innovations in the psychoanalysis course
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The contemporary psychoanalysis course has presented:
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- Dialogues with neurosciences (neuropsychoanalysis)
- Adaptations for short -term care
- Applications in new contexts (institutions, communities, schools)
- Attention to new manifestations of psychic suffering
- More flexible approaches to traditional analytical setting
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FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: What is the best choice?
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There is no unique answer about which is the best way – Psychoanalysis course or psychology course. The choice depends on your objectives, interests, availability and professional design.
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If you want a wide, versatile and legal recognition, the psychology course may be more appropriate. If your passion is specific by psychoanalytic theory and working with the unconscious, a course of psychoanalysis can be the way.
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And as I always say to my students: knowledge is never too much! If possible, combine the formations. Take the psychology course to have the broad base and professional registration, and then deepen with a psychoanalysis course.
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Most importantly, whatever your choice is, look for serious institutions, committed to ethical and quality education. Both psychology and psychoanalysis deal with the most precious: the human being and his subjectivity.
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And you, have you decided which way to go? If you have questions about our psychoanalysis course or want to talk more about your training, I am available!
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João Barros Psychoanalyst and Psychoanalysis Course Coordinator
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