Psychologists are specialists who work in a wide variety of fields and carry out a variety of activities - for example, they engage in science, conduct research, participate in the creation of advertising products, teach psychology, act as experts, etc. Psychologists also call specialists who work which is aimed directly at providing professional psychological assistance. A psychologist-lecturer or a psychologist-expert is not always proficient in the types of activities that are needed to provide qualified psychological assistance. A practicing psychologist-consultant, as a rule, is not involved in science and is not always able to engage in teaching activities. Therefore, when a client tells me that she has dealt with psychologists before, because her close friend is a psychologist and they talk to her a lot about psychology, I understand that she actually does not have client experience, in the role of a client of a psychologist she, in fact, , never was. And “friend therapy” is a completely different type of help))) Among those types of activities of psychologists that are directly related to psychological assistance, we can highlight: individual counseling, which can solve various problems - from assistance in crisis situations to the development of expert recommendations when consulting parents of a problem child; individual correctional and developmental work - both with children and adults; group correctional and developmental work, person-oriented trainings; family counseling. It happens that in the process of working with a client, a psychologist uses not one type of activity, but several. In Russia, there is a division of professionals providing psychological assistance into psychologists and psychotherapists whose basic education is medical. Although the methods underlying the work of both can be difficult to separate, psychologists focus their work on mentally healthy people. If a client has certain mental disorders or diseases, then one of the results of the psychologist’s work with him may or may not be a weakening of symptoms. A psychologist, unlike a psychotherapist, does not make diagnoses or prescribe medications. Seeing a psychologist is a new, not very common way of taking care of yourself in our country. A large number of clients turn to a psychologist for the first time, having a vague or even incorrect idea about the goals and methods of work of a psychologist, about what results can be obtained, and what is not within the competence of a psychologist. Likewise, clients have difficulty choosing a psychologist. It is not uncommon for a person to find himself in the hands of a very unqualified specialist and/or a dishonest person - and such people exist in any field of activity. With all the ensuing consequences, including distrust of all psychologists in principle. So how can you avoid making a mistake when choosing a psychologist? It is important, although far from sufficient, that the psychologist has at least a higher education in his specialty. He also systematically deepened his knowledge and skills through additional courses and trainings, including, among other things, the study of his personal and professional problems as a client. If a psychologist does not use the help of colleagues in solving personal and professional problems, does not care about his own personal and professional growth, how can he help the client and contribute to his personal growth? In this case, he is so unrealistic, and personally and professionally immature, that he considers himself perfect - practically God. Or he does not see the value of the services provided by psychologists, which he himself provides to the client. Or he simply “earns money” without caring about the quality and effectiveness of his work. Anyone who claims to be a “Guru” or a “Wizard” imposes their point of view on you, makes decisions for you, uses pressure methods, manipulates you,.