INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCES IN PSYCHOLOGY AND MENTAL HEALTH: OBSERVATIONS OF COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL THERAPY, SPIRITUALITY, WORK, AND COEXISTENCE IN A THERAPEUTIC RESIDENCE FOR PEOPLE WITH CHEMICAL DEPENDENCE IN CURITIBA, PARANÁ

Abstract

This report describes the activities and observations carried out during the supervised internship in Psychology at the Bethânia Community, a Catholic institution dedicated to the care and recovery of chemical dependents. The internship allowed for an understanding of the functioning of the house, its methodology based on spirituality, work, and coexistence, as well as the impact of the rigid structure and disciplinary routine on the rehabilitation process. Observations included consultations, daily routines, rules of coexistence, the welcoming process, educational activities, and the application of psychological instruments, articulating these practices with the theoretical foundation of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), recognized as an effective approach in chemical dependency. The report presents the experience lived, relating it to cognitive and behavioral theories, the role of motivation for change, and the therapeutic strategies used in the institution. It concludes that the internship contributed significantly to professional training, providing a broader view of the complexities of chemical dependency and the importance of integrated interventions to promote behavioral change.