Variations in the development of psychological therapy in three European Union countries
International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy
ISSN: 0144-333X
Article publication date: 24 February 2012
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the similarities and differences in the development of psychological therapies in three European Union countries (the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and France) in the context of national policies about health services and public mental health.
Design/methodology/approach
Three case studies are utilised for this purpose as historical descriptions. The latter are then discussed in the light of traditional approaches to the sociology of the professions.
Findings
Whilst some similarities are identified across the three countries (for example the recent convergence of policy interest in “evidence‐based practice”) it is also clear that the particular national cultures have shaped developments and their different forms of healthcare organisation have been reflected in national legislative and regulatory arrangements.
Research limitations/implications
These case studies draw attention to the need to explore national variations in policy formation about the same matter (in this case the professionalization of psychological therapies) and to extend discussions within the sociology of the professions to ones of healthcare organizational contexts. In addition, the contested nature of applied psychology may require special attention relative to other forms of health work practice.
Originality/value
This paper provides a particular form of understanding about psychological practices within modern healthcare and public health policies, in the light of the peculiar and contextualised aspects of the case studies provided.
Keywords
Citation
Pilgrim, D., Champion, F., Hutschemaekers, G., Garnoussi, N. and van Dijk, F. (2012), "Variations in the development of psychological therapy in three European Union countries", International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, Vol. 32 No. 1/2, pp. 70-81. https://doi.org/10.1108/01443331211201770
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2012, Emerald Group Publishing Limited