Charlene Caruana read for a Master’s degree in clinical psychology at the University of Malta.

The course equipped Ms Caruana with academic training and psychological tools to work with a diverse client group.

This included the knowledge of various psychotherapeutic approaches and psychological assessments utilised with children, adolescents, adults and the elderly.

The integration of theory with practice was a vital aspect, which provided the opportunity to work with various clients under supervision, including children/adolescents and their families at the Child Guidance Clinic, mothers at the Perinatal Clinic at Mater Dei Hospital and adults at Mount Carmel and Mater Dei Hospital.

The research, entitled ‘The significance of therapy for mothers with borderline personality disorder: a case study approach’ delved into how therapy impacts the parenting experience of a mother with borderline personality disorder (BPD).

The degrees were carried out following the award of a Steps scholarship, part-financed by the EU – European Social Fund (ESF) under Operational Programme II – Cohesion Policy 2007-2013, entitled ‘Empowering people for more jobs and a better quality of life’.