The involvement of psychologists in primary attention includes a preparation for this field of work. The community therapy takes part in this proposal offering psychologists a tool for the promotion and prevention in mental health. This paper is the report of the author’s experience in a university course of psychology, and the redevelopment of the course curriculum included community therapy since the 2nd semester of 2005, aiming to offer students a different view of health promotion and prevention in communities. It was observed that the students began to present a critical posture in relation to the use of techniques and to their contribution to the development of communities, for they became aware of their pain and suffering, re-signifying their own concept of suffering. From the clinical/individual care, they moved on to a more collective and communitarian work.
Community psychology; Ethics professional; Health promtion; Psychologist education