This article analyses the professional course of psychologists in public health in fifty years of the profession in Brazil. The studies that deal with formation, insertion and action of psychologists in SUS and the questioning that has arisen about the (dis)encounters between our professional action and the guidelines/methods of work preconized in collective health are highlighted. However, some experiences that have managed to cause important changes in undergraduation and graduation formation in health are presented: multidisciplinary residences, Programs of Education through Work for the Health and programs of professionalizing internship in collective health in psychology courses. The conclusion that the Primary Attention and the Psychosocial Attention that orientate the field of mental health have created a priviledged situation to the development of transformative experiences, bringing innovation to formation and requalification of the modes of the psychologists who work in the field.
Psychologist education; Single Health System; Primary health care; Mental health