When one starts researching the Psychoanalyst profession, one ends up asking oneself the following questions: who can exercise the Psychoanalyst profession? How to become a Psychoanalyst? Is Psychoanalyst the same as Psychologist?

These questions are very frequent when you want to seek Psychoanalytic help, or even become a professional in this field.

With that in mind, we have prepared this text to answer the following question: who can practice the profession of Psychoanalyst? Read on to learn all about this profession!

Psychoanalyst as a free profession in Brazil

According to the Federal Constitution (art. 153, § 23), "The exercise of any work, trade or profession is free, subject to the conditions of capacity that the law establishes."

About the freedom to work, we have: "A consecrated right (§ 23 of Article 153 of the 1969 Constitution), which is why the new Constitution does not include in the text any introduction or novelty regarding the exercise of any job, trade or profession".

Thus, the constitutional texts clearly demonstrate the freedom over any work or profession, while at the same time prohibiting the government from determining norms or criteria that may hinder any type of exercise.

Lay or secular science?

Psychoanalysis is classified as a secular or lay science and, because it is not related to religions, it can be exercised by agnostics and believers. For the term, secular or lay points out that psychoanalysis is not related to the medical field.

Legal Protection for Psychoanalysts

In the whole world, including Brazil, the psychoanalyst profession is exercised freely (without regulation), following strict ethical criteria. In our country, the profession is regulated by Article 5, items II and XIII of the Federal Constitution.

However, according to the CBO nº. 2515-50 (occupation) of the Ministry of Labor, the activity of psychoanalyst is not a specialization, but a training that follows principles and procedures defined by its forming institutions. Thus, the psychoanalyst may have a 3rd degree or undergraduate degree in different areas of activity.

Our Psychoanalysis Training Course admits students who have completed high school, or are taking or have taken a degree in any area.

Psychoanalysis is not Exclusive of the Physician or Psychologist

The profession of psychoanalysis is not characterized as an exercise of medicine. Thus, the title psychoanalyst-doctor is wrong and not allowed. Consulted, the Federal Council of Medicine points objectively and clearly on the subject:

• "Psychoanalytic activity is independent of regular academic courses, its professionals being trained by psychoanalytic societies and didactic analysts."
• "Since psychoanalysis is not recognized as a medical specialty and its practice does not use medical acts, it can not be characterized as an exercise of medicine, nor can a doctor call himself a psychoanalyst.

The Regional Council of Psychology of the State of São Paulo also points out the relationship between psychoanalysis and psychology:

• "Psychoanalysis is a modality of therapeutic care, which is exercised by professional psychologists, psychiatrists, and others who receive specific training from Psychoanalysis Societies or specialization courses in this regard."
• "As an autonomous activity, it is not a regulated profession. The Regional Council of Psychology has the competence to supervise the psychologist's professional exercise, including in this case the practice of psychoanalysis. If the professional who claims to be a psychoanalyst is not a psychologist registered in CRP-SP, we have no competence to exercise the supervision".

About the Professional Practice of Psychoanalysis

CREMERJ opinion No. 84/00 points out that psychoanalysis is an assistential activity When it is exercised, it must follow the guidelines indicated by the institutions responsible for its formation. Furthermore, it is recommended that psychoanalysis should not be regulated by the public power. Thus, it is up to the societies and associations to define their criteria and adequate codes for its exercise.

Who can practice the profession of Psychoanalyst?

Because it is considered an occupation, and not a profession, the profession of psychoanalyst It is not mandatory to have a degree in medicine or psychology, although it is common for professionals in these areas to complement their studies with the psychoanalytic method.

The definition of not being a profession was established by means of Ordinance no. 397, of 10/09/2002, of the Ministry of Labor and Employment of Brazil, which identifies and classifies countless work activities in all areas, and in it, Psychoanalyst/Analyst is pointed out with code 2515-50.

It is worth noting that occupation is considered to be the individual's usual work The occupations follow the principles and norms of the Ministry of Labor and Employment. In this way, it is associated with the practice and an activity of work and a source of income.

I want information to enroll in the Psychoanalysis Course .

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Areas of Competence of the Psychoanalyst Profession

According to the CBO (Brazilian Classification of Occupations) 2515-50, from the Ministry of Labor and Employment, the skills allowed for the psychoanalyst profession are:

• Assess individual, group, and instrumental behaviors;
• Analyze, treat individuals, groups and institutions;
• Guiding individuals, groups, and institutions;
• Accompany individuals, groups and institutions;
• Educating individuals, groups and institutions;
• Develop experimental, theoretical and clinical research;
• Coordinate activity teams from related areas;
• Participate in activities for consensus and professional outreach;
• Perform administrative tasks;
• Demonstrate personal skills.

This is the legal reality of the psychoanalytic profession. It is not a regulated profession, and it does not have an obligation to be one. Moreover, it has a relationship with the sciences and a scientific and historical epistemology that is recognized all over the world, with more than 125 years of existence and a free and secular characteristic.

In case you are interested in deepening yourself in the area, get to know our Psychoanalysis Training Course .