Call for university course in psychology

The Malta Union of Professional Psychologists congratulated the government on its endeavour to regulate the practice of psychology in Malta.

Union president Paul A. Bartolo said the union also welcomed the opposition's declaration that it would support the enactment of a bill on this.

"This has been possible because the bill has been under consideration over a number of administrations and has been developed through wide feedback," he said.

Dr Bartolo said the union often had requests from clients for lists of accredited psychologists.

"From now on claims of qualification as psychologists by both Maltese and other Europeans or other foreigners will be screened by the Malta Psychology Profession Board. The warrant issued for psychologists will also indicate the area of specialisation of each psychologist. It is also reassuring that the board will be representative of a wide spectrum of psychologists, which should ensure fair and transparent procedures," he said.

Dr Bartolo said many had highlighted the plight of the many students with a first degree in psychology for whom the law does not allow practice in psychology. He said it should be noted that the problem arose because these students did not have the possibility of training to become psychologists through a Masters Course in Malta.

"In fact, there has been provision, since 1996, for the employment of persons with a first degree honours in psychology as Trainee Psychologists, with an indication also of the scale at which they should be paid, and indeed some were so employed by the government a few years ago," he said.

Dr Bartolo explained that the 1996 agreement between the government and the MUPP further stipulated that "as early as practicable (these trainees) will be sent on training leading to the award of the qualification (of psychologist). Such training will be made at the expense of the government".

He said the employment of trainees was stopped because there was no Masters course available, and it was therefore imperative for the enactment of the legislation to be accompanied by an assurance that there would be a regular MPsy course for the training of psychologists at the University of Malta.

"Otherwise, Maltese students are being discriminated against at EU level, since students in other EU countries can train in their own country and then come to practise in Malta, while Maltese students are denied the same possibility," he said.

Dr Bartolo said the union hoped that the MPsy course would become a regular course at the University of Malta, as well as that the enactment and implementation of the Psychologist Profession Act would raise the standard of service offered by psychologists in Malta.