Chapter 6. From intervention to psychosocial accompaniment: reflections from the psychosocial approach

It explores the evolution of social psychology and its impact on the understanding and approach to mental health. Starting from symbolic interactionism, sociology of knowledge and phenomenology, which introduced the notion of inter-subjectivity and the active role of the subject in the construction of reality, the text describes how critical social psychology in the 1970s questioned the objectivism of modern science and the limitations of individual psychology in dealing with social and community problems.

This context fostered the emergence of alternative approaches focused on social transformation, emancipation and change, analyzing and seeking solutions to social problems. Political and social changes also had an influence, promoting an understanding of mental health linked to community and historical processes. This led to a questioning of individualistic theoretical-methodological positions and the creation of interdisciplinary models that offered broader and more integrative perspectives to examine the relationship among individual, group and society.

The chapter’s objective is to analyze the psychosocial approach as a new paradigm for understanding mental health in the context of community life. It reflects on the nature of the psychosocial approach and its implications for the role of the psychologist. In addition, the concept of intervention is addressed, emphasizing the need to overcome traditional views and adopt critical perspectives on community work. In this regard, the concept of “psychosocial accompaniment” is introduced as an alternative to understand the actions in the community that are aligned with these critical reflections, seeking to address issues that affect the social structure and its repercussions on everyday relationships.