In Spain, practicing as a psychology specialist requires a bachelor’s degree and active membership in the relevant College of Professional Psychology, based on the autonomous community of residence. When the psychologist focuses on clinical psychology, they typically hold a health qualification or a general health psychology residency (PIR).
Since 2015, more faculties have started offering psychology degrees and the number of graduates from this field has risen by nearly 30 percent.
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Those who are supported by the appropriate Professional Association gain not only the ability to practice legally but also access to sector updates through conferences and events. They can participate in training courses to stay current and provide appropriate psychological treatments to patients.
Important national conferences attract many psychology professionals, including the General Psychology Council Congress and the Conference for Excellence and Innovation in Psychology. This year the event took place in Tarragona from November 17 to 19, 2023, and the next conference will be held in Madrid on December 15, 2023, among others. These gatherings typically address current topics in psychology. For example, the Day of Excellence and Innovation in Psychology often covers the role of educational psychology in improving child and adolescent mental health.
One common question among new and experienced psychologists is how to recruit patients when traditional methods fall short.
Today, digital platforms play a central role in outreach. Online services have become indispensable and have grown even more since the health crisis of 2020. Both in-person and remote consultations now coexist to meet patient needs. Online tools not only help attract patients but also enhance patient care and ease the workload for mental health professionals.
Crucially, platforms like Cronoshare function as a marketplace linking professionals and clients. Cronoshare is a reference platform in Spain and is also active in Italy, Brazil, Mexico, and Chile. Many clients post requests for psychologists and online psychology services. Professionals can review these requests after registering for free, completing their profile, and using Cronoshare’s virtual currency to unlock client data.
According to Leticia Vallarelli from Cronoshare marketing, around 10,000 client requests for psychologists, child psychologists, and online psychologists were posted in 2022 alone, highlighting the platform’s reach and impact in the field.
Another frequent query concerns pricing. Each professional sets their own rates, influenced by factors such as patient age, the number of sessions contracted, and whether sessions occur in person or online.
Advantages of digital platforms to attract patients
Digital platforms offer several benefits to psychologists seeking new clients:
- Accessibility: Professionals gain access to a broad range of requests, while patients can find suitable therapy from anywhere at any time, helping balance work, family, and care.
- Comfort: Patients can choose session timing and location, whether in person, at home, or remotely, creating a sense of safety and ease.
- Flexibility: Psychologists can tailor sessions to each patient’s needs, often improving treatment outcomes.
- Visibility: Platforms expand reach and allow patient feedback, which can guide future choices for new clients.
- Segmentation: Platforms enable filtering by patient type, hours, location, and session method, making it easier to connect with prospective clients.
Being part of a reputable recruitment marketplace saves time and resources for mental health professionals, allowing them to focus more on delivering effective care and improving patient well-being.