The Maltese Psychological Association (MPA) welcomes the regulation of the psychology profession that has started with the process of application for the issue of warrants to all qualified practitioners. This means that all psychologists would have fulfilled the training requirements specified by the Psychology Profession Act, 2004.

With reference to the article “Psychology board members not qualified” (TMIS, 12 February), MPA would like to make a number of clarifications.

According to the Government Gazette of 20 January 2006, MPA is the larger union representing the majority of psychologists.

MPA declares it has full confidence in the constitution of the Psychology Board and the legality of its set up. The MPA Council would like to establish that it has never received any complaints about the Board’s composition from its members nor from any other psychologist.

Moreover, MPA would like to point out that the chairperson of the Psychology Board is one of the pioneers in the practice and teaching of psychology in Malta. She has been instrumental in the training of almost all psychologists at some stage of their career. Criticism of her suitability for the post of chairperson is unfair and unjustified.

Furthermore, we ascertain that all MPA members who are contributing to the regulation of the profession by working on the Board, are well-established practitioners and/or academics of outstanding repute.

Pierre Cachia

Counselling Psychologist

PRO Maltese Psychological Association