Psychologists in the policies intended for female victims of gender violence in the state of Rio Grande do Norte
violence against women; psychology; public policies for women.
This research aimed to analyze the work of psychology professionals in the policies intended for female victims of gender violence in the state of Rio Grande do Norte. The phenomenon of violence against women is understood as a consequence of a more complex social problem: the inequalities that are built between women and men. Thereby, the logic that guides this study expresses a disruption with biological explanations about the differences between female and male social practices and assumes that those differences are constructed, socially transformed and exist due to an hierarchy that has a material basis which must be apprehended historically. The methodological strategies used to produce the research were semi-structured interviews with psychologists who work in institutions specialized in assisting women victims of domestic violence in the state of Rio Grande do Norte and analysis of the documents that guide the practices of this public policy. The analysis and discussion of the results were made from the theory of historical and dialectical materialism. The discussions that took place identified that there are many challenges for psychology as a science and as a profession. We identified many gaps with regard to theoretical and practical knowledge that can guide the performance of the work, in addition to difficulties in delimiting the role of psychology in relation to other professionals, which becomes an obstacle to the definition of the praxis and possibilities of intervention. These aspects referred to insufficiencies in psychology training that have reflected in the daily work of professionals who end up feeling insecure in case management and acquire training, mainly from contact with their own professional experience. Thus, it is necessary that training in psychology reflects on the production of knowledge and practices in the various fields in which the category is called to work, overcoming traditional and clinical conceptions that have still stood out in teaching spaces.