A Prática dos Psicólogos nos Centros de Atenção Psicossocial em diferentes estados brasileiros

The Psychosocial Care Center is a mental health care service originally created to be a substitute for hospitalizations in psychiatric hospitals in Brazil, whose practice consonance with the Psychiatric Reform needs to be constantly evaluated. In response to this demand, the present research aimed to explore and present the reality of the professional practice of psychologists in these centers, comparing its consonance with the Psychiatric Reform. A mixed research was carried out in different Brazilian states, with a non-probabilistic sample of 104 psychologists, who answered a questionnaire with open and closed questions, respectively comprised of qualitative research with content analysis and quantitative research with descriptive statistics. The results show that most used psychological theories by the participants are Psychoanalysis and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, with a smaller representation of contemporary theories. Individual and group attendance prevail, as well as home or institutional visits. The activities aim at social reintegration, psychotherapeutic treatment, and the improvement of living conditions and autonomy. They work primarily in teams and through intersectoral and in territory actions. They also indicate challenges in their practice, such as insufficient human resources, challenges in the training of professionals, divergences in the thinking and performance of team members, overwork, in addition to unsatisfactory working conditions and salary. It is possible to conclude that most psychologists have a convergent practice with the ideals of the new model of mental health care.