2017 Volume 57 Issue 9 Pages 939-943
In 1990, a definite step towards the national qualification of psychologists was taken by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare through investigations into a clinical psychologist qualification system. The investigative committee was functional until 2001 and was then rebranded as the Ministry of Health and Welfare Science Research Project, and the results of about 15 years of efforts by stakeholders were realized in September 2015 as the Certified Psychologist Law. In September 2016, a review was undertaken to give a concrete form to the contents of the law, including training curriculums at universities and graduate schools, examination subjects, and special measures for those working as psychologists. On May 31, 2017, it was published as the “Review Committee Report on the Certified Psychologist Curriculum et al.,” and the specific content of the Certified Psychologist Law was clarified. Particularly in the field of medicine, the situation until now was such that even under the guidance and instructions of a doctor, various psychological clinical activities such as psychotherapy and psychological examinations were conducted by those without qualifications. With the Certified Psychologist Law taking effect, the functions and responsibilities of psychologists are clarified, and an environment is fostered in which members of medical care teams have specific responsibilities.
While tracing the process of establishment of the Certified Psychologist Law, I have summarized the challenges in relation to initiatives to prevent stress among workers with whom certified psychologists will be involved in the course of psychosomatic medicine in the future.
