PROFESSIONAL STANDARD FOR PSYCHOLOGISTS: MODERN REQUIREMENTS AND DEVELOPMENT VECTORS

Abstract

The article provides a comprehensive and multifaceted analysis of the radical transformation in the legal regulation of psychological activity in Ukraine, initiated by the adoption of the landmark law in January 2025. The relevance of this study is driven by the urgent necessity to address the previously unregulated nature of the psychological services market, eliminate non-professional interference, and establish rigorous state criteria for assessing specialist qualifications in the post-war recovery context. Through a systematic review of the «Psychologist» Professional Standard, the study offers a detailed breakdown of updated requirements for professional training, emphasizing the mandatory Master’s degree in Psychology and the documented completion of supervised practice and personal therapy as non-negotiable prerequisites for obtaining state certification. The research defines the functional role of the Professional Standard not merely as an academic framework, but as a critical instrument for the multi-level verification of professional competencies. The author categorizes and explores the key components of a specialist’s work, including psychological education, prevention, diagnostics, counseling, and rehabilitation. Particular attention is paid to the step-by-step procedure for the legitimization of professional practice: from obtaining specialized academic credentials to mandatory registration in the Unified State Registry of Mental Health Specialists. A significant portion of the article is dedicated to the enhancement of ethical oversight and the legal institutionalization of the Code of Ethics. This includes a rigorous analysis of the prohibition of dual relationships, the prevention of client exploitation, and the strict maintenance of professional boundaries in both physical and digital environments. Furthermore, the paper examines the implementation of the Continuous Professional Development system, which requires specialists to consistently update their expertise through a point-based credit system. The final conclusions highlight that these legislative and standardized shifts act as a catalyst for the integration of the Ukrainian psychological community into the European professional space, ensuring a high level of public trust and safety in the mental health sector.