32% of Argentines Have Seen a Psychologist
In a country famous for its predilection for psychotherapy, Argentines have done a good job of living up to their reputation:
Almost one third of Argentines have visited a psychologist or psychiatrist for treatment, according to a new survey released this week by TNS Gallup.
According to the study, women (37%) are more likely to have visited a shrink than are men (27%).
Meanwhile, wealthier people are more likely to have visited a therapist than are poorer people. Indeed, 51% of wealthy Argentines have been to a psychotherapist while just 24% of poorer Argentines have done so.
Residents of Capital Federal are also more likely to seek therapy. Forty-six percent of Porteños have seen a counselor while just 30% of rural Argentines have done this.
All of this makes it very likely that if you know a wealthy woman living in the City of Buenos Aires, the odds are very good that she’s been to a therapist at least once.
Argentines aged 25 to 24 are also more likely to have sought counseling. In fact, 41% of them have done so, compared with just 15% for people over 65.
Despite all of this, 94% of people polled said they are not currently in therapy. Those most likely to say they’re currently in therapy include wealthy women in the City of Buenos Aires.
*TNS Gallup’s survey was carried out on 1,010 people aged 18 and older from around the country in March. Its margin of error is 4.2%.
Interesting article Taos, as usual. You´ll also find that porteños take advantage of free psychotherapy sessions at some hospitals in Buenos Aires and the Conurbano.
You read my mind, since I just arrived to Córdoba a few weeks ago and I felt all the girls go to psychotherapy. My roommate told me it’s actually very popular now! Sounds weird since where I’m from it’s something you don’t want everyone to know.
Just read the power of now, if possible in English version. from Eckhart Tolle
You do not need a therapist.
Eckhart can really, really change your whole mind and way of thinking.
To me it was the best book I ever read.
take care
jo.
Fascinating. I wonder if this makes Argentines healthier emotionally than people in other countries, or if they need therapy because they’re sicker to start with. Is it easier or harder to become a psychologist in Argentina than it is elsewhere? Maybe that has something to do with it? Also, maybe pricing makes a difference. In the United States treament is pretty expensive and usually is not covererd by insurance companies. Do you know what it’s like in Europe? Do you know what the rate is for Americans?
[...] of the 200 years of May 1810 Revolution, will be put to work again o… Wednesday, 23 September 32% of Argentines Have Seen a Psychologist[The Argentine Post] Almost one third of Argentines have visited a psychologist or psychiatrist for [...]
You have to look at the economics of the psychology industry in Argentina: Psychology and Law are the two university careers that are least expensive for most Argentines. There are many many lawyers and psychologist. Admissions to Universities in Buenos Aires are not restricted as they are in the USA, there is no GRE or LSAT test in Argentina. There are no specific number of seats available, as you probably now. It is free for all. Also, careers in the hard sciences are less appealing to most Argentineans based on a few factors, one of them is lack of preparation from the high school level (most students are poorly prepared in math and sciences) and the fact that the country has gone through so many crisis that many have developed a sense of social assistance that makes them get into “helping” careers. I think, most of all, the reason is the economics of the career, Psychology is one of the least expensive and can be done part time, while holding a full time job.
I forgot to mention that in the US, to be a licensed psychologist, you need to study for your undergraduate degree first (four years) and then you must go to graduate school (another four years for your Doctorate in Psychology). That makes a total of 8 years of post-high school education for a Psychologist in the USA. While in Argentina, most universities only require 5 years to be a “licenciado en psicologia”, which clears the person to treat patients (I am not sure if a residence is required, I am sure it is, the same as in the USA). So the difference is 8 years in the USA versus 5 years of post high school education in Argentina.
Hi RL, Im an Argentinean psychologist living in Buenos Aires. I studied in Argentina and I went to the USA to see if it was best for me to study in BA or the US.
In my opinion, BA University is a great University. BA University is great for understanding the basics of psychology. I think US Univerities are best for spacializing in 1 field. It´s not true what you say about 8 years of studying in the US.
The 4 years of undergraduate degree is, in fact, 2 years of general knowledge (like math, literature, etc.) and 2 years of general psychology… then you can have a master degree in 1 and a half year or 2 years which allows you to practice in the field of your master (family, psychotherapy, adictions, etc), or you can go to the doctorate for 3 or 4 years.
Have a great day,
Adrian
Adrian, in the US there are two professions that are very different as far as State Licensure, one is the “Professional Counselor” profession, and there is a very different profession under the term “Professional Psychologist”
Here you can find the requirements for that profession, for instance in my State, the State of Illinois (go Obama!).
http://www.idfpr.com/dpr/WHO/psych.asp
As you can see, you need a Psy.Doctorate to practice as a Psychologist.
Regards
Che, con lo que hablamos los argentinos, nos damos terapia nosotros mismos, entre amigos! =P