Profile:
Life-span psychologist
Functions:
- Interpretation of data deriving from the application of psychological assessment tools, aimed at detecting the main processes related to the affective, cognitive and relational sphere of individuals in contexts such as school, family, social community at different stages of their cycle of life (from birth to senile age);
- Understanding of diagnostic frameworks in subjects in conditions of discomfort and consequent formulation of prognosis about possible pathways of development in the various individual, cultural and social settings.
- Design and coordination of psychological, preventive, educational and support interventions in typical learning contexts (eg, schools and universities), development (eg, families and communities) and care (eg, hospitals and therapeutic communities) throughout the life cycle.
- Implementation and evaluation of evidence-based programs in the perspective of life cycle psychology.
- Assessment of the adequacy and effectiveness of psychological interventions aimed at reducing developmental disorders, training psychosocial workers and favouring good adaptation to living environments.
- Teaching of psychology in the professional, scholastic, university or equivalent fields.
- Design and implementation of research activities in the psychological field.
Skills:
The skills acquired during the degree course in Life-span Psychology represent a solid specialized training, consistent with the indications of EuroPsy, enabling graduates to work in the various areas of professional intervention in our country and abroad. Among these areas we can include:
- Professional practice in the field of Life-span psychology.
- Psychological research at national and international level.
- Responsibility or counselling functions in organizations and services for children, adolescents, young adults, adults and the elderly.
- Consulting for the design and implementation of educational tools and psychological assessment.
- Design and evaluation of psycho-socio-educational interventions.
- Further training in the profession of psychotherapist, after obtaining the post-graduate specialization required by the MIUR system.
Professional opportunities:
2nd cycle graduates in Life-span Psychology, after passing the national qualification exam and registration in the Register of Psychologists, section A, can operate in all the areas provided for by law L.18 February 1989, n.56, regulating the profession of Psychologist, (paragraph 1: “the profession of psychologist includes the use of cognitive tools and intervention for prevention, diagnosis, activities of abilitation-rehabilitation and psychological support for the person, group, organisms social networks and to communities. It also includes the activities of experimentation, research and teaching in this area”.
In particular, they can operate:
a) in educational, scholastic and extra-scholastic facilities;
b) in public and private healthcare institutions (hospitals, clinics, etc.);
c) in socio-educational, therapeutic, reception, recovery and rehabilitation communities;
d) in public and private research institutions;
e) in public and private organizations, providing services to people, groups and the community (Local Healthcare Authorities, Local Authorities, training institutions, educational service cooperatives, social service cooperatives, national and international NGOs);
f) in centres of scholastic and professional guidance;
g) in criminal circuit facilities (juvenile and adult);
h) in public administrations;
i) as freelance professionals.
