Community Psychology Between Attitude and Clinical Practice: The German Way

The development of community psychology (CP) in Germany is described in four steps: (1) the politicalization of psychology in the 1970s by the student movement, (2) the critical theory, (3) the social psychiatry movement, and (4) a favorable economy for the context of development. The introduction of CP was stimulated by the CP development in the United States, the discussions about psychiatric illness, and the critical analysis of psychiatric institutions. Although CP is currently taught in several German universities, full academic institutionalization has never been achieved. CP research is closely connected to practice with a strong emphasis on community mental health. CP-oriented research can be found in the fields of psychiatry, prevention, self and mutual help, social networks and social support, counseling, and neighborhood and city quarter development. This chapter describes how the mental health system and psychiatric and psychosocial institutions and their cooperation have been analyzed for their influence on professional work and well-being of clients. Finally, some of the contradictions between CP principles and professionalisation of CP are shown. They lead to problems of professional and academic identity. The consequences for the development in Germany are discussed.