Psychotherapies in current clinical psychology and psychiatry in Spain

BACKGROUND

The practice of psychotherapy in Spain (Europe) continues being a reason for doubts, uncertainty, controversy or confusion. The access to psychotherapy is also controversial. To contribute to clarify all this in order to improve quality and minimise risks is the aim of our work.

METHOD

Update of the regulations and legal rules which are applicable in psychotherapy to those graduated in both psychology and medicine.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Neuroscience, clinical psychology and psychiatry develop in a parallel and convergent way. It is necessary to emphasise the risks of pseudotherapies, including pseudopsychotherapies, and pseudosciences in general. The practice of psychotherapy as a psychological treatment necessarily implies the healthcare field both for the private and public sectors. In order to practice as a psychotherapist in Spain, it is necessary to be a psychologist specialised in clinical psychology or a doctor specialised in psychiatry. The figure of the sanitary general psychologist is a regulated profession in Spain at present, but that is not equivalent to be a specialist. The former psychologists who have the required legal qualification are also allowed to act for the public sector in the healthcare field. Other doctors who are not psychiatrists, other psychologists or the nurses specialised in mental health are not allowed to name themselves or act as psychotherapists in any field or sector.

Use of antipsychotics during pregnancy and breastfeeding

There is growing acceptance that pregnancy itself is not a protective factor against mental disorders. Indeed, some mental disorders such as psychotic and bipolar disorders may become worse during pregnancy and the immediate postpartum period. In pregnant women with a mental disorder that can be treated with antipsychotics, the known risks -teratogenic, obstetric, neonatal and those affecting the mother- indicate that, in general, the risk of the non-treated disorder is higher than that resulting from the use of antipsychotics and that the reduction in psychoticism improves the overall prognosis of these women. All the antipsychotics marketed in Spain are included in category C of the US Food and Drug Administration, with the exception of clozapine and piperazine, which are included in category B. The use of all of these drugs should be avoided during breast feeding as far as possible. The most reliable current recommendations indicate that optimal control of severe mental disorders should be maintained during pregnancy, the postpartum and subsequent periods. These recommendations also indicate that women with mental disorders must be considered as high risk and that both these women and their pregnancies should be constantly monitored. The currently available scientific information does not allow more than relatively secure individually-tailored recommendations to be made. When taking the decision of whether or not to treat with antipsychotics, the use of a risk-benefit relationship is crucial, with the participation of the woman's partner or legal representative, other physicians and even the clinical pharmacist if necessary.