Parliamentary Secretary Justyne Caruana told Parliament that the Counselling Professions Bill would protect vulnerable people as well as create clear parameters and benchmarks for the profession.

She said the Bill also helped define counselling and psychotherapy and paved the way for the professionals to work together and intervene appropriately.

Referring to family traumas, Dr Caruana said that in some cases, no amount of therapy would help and in others, wrong interventions could tip a person over the edge.

A counsellor is a guide, not one who takes over the life of the client, she said, adding that the role of the counsellor should be strengthened in youth services, services for the elderly and educational services. Such services should be attractive and accessible.

Early adulthood could be a trying time and able and professional counselling could help youths to develop positive attitudes to life and living. Similarly, counselling would help the elderly face the transitions from a life full of activity to one at a more leisurely pace.

Wrong interventions could tip a person over the edge

On this point, Dr Caruana said that the government had set up a programme to help people preparing to go into retirement and facilitate the change.

Counsellors could also manage transition for persons with disability. It was far from true, said the parliamentary secretary, that persons with disability could not express themselves. She said these people too needed guidance and help which only qualified counsellors could give.

Dr Caruana also spoke about counselling given to relatives of persons suffering from some disability.

The needs of such persons were often assessed by a multi-disciplinary team but relatives needed to be further educated in dealing with stigma and appreciating there were opportunities open to such persons. It was the counsellors’ role to help persons with special needs develop advocacy so as to be able to take their own decisions.

Concluding, Dr Caruana said counsellors would be issued with a warrant, not only to safeguard their profession but also to guarantee high standards. She called for vigilance and for cooperation with other professionals to develop the concepts of multi- and trans-discipline.