Interfaces entre Psicologia e Direito: desafios da atuação na defensoria pública

This article aims at narrating the experiences regarding the outset of the psychology work at the Sao Paulo Public Defender's Office. Based on some practical cases, as well as daily situations in the work environment, critical reflections are developed concerning the demands addressed by users and other professionals, possible responses to these requests and an analysis of what place psychology is asked to occupy. In order to reach this goal, one important resource is the implication analysis proposed by the institutional analysis, especially by Rene Lourau. One observes that the demands are divided in extrajudicial conflicts resolutions, psychological support, indication to public services and to therapeutic accompaniment. Practically speaking, the challenge is to foster a different view which considers the comprehension of the social-historical-economic-familiar productions of the subject, so that one does not reproduce suffering and oppression; it is a matter of constantly placing oneself as a professional who is involved in promoting citizenship, autonomy and the empowerment of the subject; according to an ethic perspective, it means understanding our practice as a promoter of demands, truth and worlds.