Administrative and legal aspects of practicing as a psychologist in times of changing expectations regarding social services – selected issues

Abstract

In the face of dynamic changes in social expectations towards psychological services,  the legal regulation of the profession of psychologist in Poland is becoming particularly important. Planned for the first quarter of 2026, the new law on the profession of psychologist and the professional self-government of psychologists aims to comprehensively regulate this profession, adapting it to contemporary realities and the needs of society. The aim of the research is to analyse selected legal regulations provided for in the draft bill regarding the rules for obtaining professional qualifications in the profession of psychologist and the tasks of the professional self-government, which are most important for determining their impact  on the protection of patients' rights. The research conducted has shown that the two-stage verification of psychologists' qualifications is undoubtedly a step in the right direction in terms of achieving the fundamental objective of regulating a profession of public trust, which is to protect the public interest as expressed in the protection of mental health. The administrative and legal regulation of the profession of psychologist through the creation of a professional self-governing body will also contribute to improving the quality of psychological services provided, on condition that it is structured and equipped with competences that would allow the interests of this professional group to be reconciled with the public interest.