Pascale Bodet: “A legal framework for psychologists”

Violence has become a common news item for some time now. It seems that there is something socially aloof and human interactions are based on high levels of violence. News on Sunday speaks to Pascale Bodet, a Clinical Psychologist and Certified Trainer, on psychology and social issues to better understand what is happenning. Today, our youngsters are prey to many social ills. Lack of respect for elders is rampant. How can psychology better guide the youth? Change is normal. A society that does not change is a society that is dying. Psychology can, of course, help to better support young people. However, I would also hope that parents are better equipped. In my practice, I meet many parents who are overwhelmed by their situation, and also of children and adolescents who are suffering. It seems to me that many situations can be improved through psycho-education. My wish is to provide parents the resources to understand their child and understand themselves. To give them the tools for better communication and especially to resolve conflicts non-violently. Mauritian society has fortunately changed. It is now beginning to recognise the child as a full-fledged individual. It recognises his rights, such as that of a non-violent upbringing. In my generation, teachers had the right to use corporal punishments, this has changed... even if isolated cases unfortunately do erupt. What about the situation in families? There are still a lot of progress to be made in the family, where we always hear things like: “This is my child, I have the right to reform him!” One the other hand, I hear many distraught parents say they do not know what to do. They had themselves been through an upbringing where violence, intimidation, humiliation and threats were allowed. An educational model that they often do not question! They have no models for a positive education. So, I encourage them to form and to feed their desire to act differently. Yes, it is possible to gain respect while respecting the child or adolescent. And yes, it is possible to protect one’s child by providing a safe environment at home, an environment where communication is possible, where the child feels confident to come and talk about his/her problems and ask for help when s/he finds himself/herself, as you say, a “prey to society’s ills”. In Mauritius, public institutions appeal to psychologists when there is a case of violence against a child. But the psychologist is not always involved in other cases: A child whose parent is the victim of a road accident or is imprisoned for a crime, a woman whose child is murdered or even the parents of a young murderer, do they not need psychological counselling? Of course, a child finding himself in such situations could be greatly supported by psychological counselling. I cannot answer on behalf of public institutions to tell if they involve psychologists or not in these situations. Otherwise, depending on what patients report to me, it seems that access to public psychological service is limited. Often, they do not know who to turn to. Also, sometimes appointments are too far apart for a real therapeutic work. Do you think the psychology profession has a future in Mauritius? Yes, of course, but we hope that appropriate legislation comes to regulate the practice to protect both the profession and the public. Do you know that today, anyone can call himself a “psychologist” or “psychotherapist” and that no Mauritian law can intervene. I am currently the Vice-President of the ‘Société des Professionnels en Psychologie’. The registered association, in existence since 2002, has more than 50 members : psychologists, psychotherapists or counsellors. One of the criteria for membership is the possession of a Masters in psychology, which is equivalent to 5 years of study, awarded by an institution recognised in the country of study and involving the validation of a supervised internship. We have been working for several years with the authorities for the establishment of the Health Professional Council, the Medical Council equivalent for other health professionals. We hope this project succeeds and that it helps to respect and protect the profession and the public. Mauritians are not very familiar with the psychologist. Why should one consult a psychologist? I would not say “should” consult. I do not say that psychology has a monopoly on suffering. I understand completely that it is possible to find wellness in another form of therapy or personal development. Furthermore, I firmly believe that even if suffering is part of human experience, we do not have to suffer indefinitely. It’s normal to try to “go over it on your own” but sometimes difficulties persist. Listening and then professional counselling help to find serenity and happiness in life again. The reasons to seek professional help are numerous: stress, burnout; painful emotions (sadness, anger, fear...); relationship difficulties, be it in the relationship in couples, between parents and children or at work; life events such as separation, bereavement, trauma; or sometimes because we want to be free from past hurts, dependency or violence; because we want to learn to be assertive, to communicate better... In short, the common denominator is a desire to change! The desire to regain wellness!