The Malta Psychology Profession Board has resolved 26 reports which were filed between 2015 and 2024, over individuals who were allegedly practising and using the title of ‘psychologist’ without having a warrant, license, or being registered with the Board.

All these cases of illegal use of nomenclature have been resolved by the Board, Social Policy Minister Michael Falzon said Wednesday.

PN MP Graziella Attard Previ posed a parliamentary question to Falzon, asking how many complaints were submitted to the Board from 2013 to today, broken down year by year, and provide a general description of the nature of these complaints.

She also asked the Minister to state how many of these complaints are still pending.

Falzon said that between 2013 and September 2015, the Board did not keep the requested information.

From September 2015 till today, the Board received a total of 11 complaints from clients regarding malpractice in psychology services.

In 2015, there was one complaint, while there were two reports in 2016. In 2017 and 2018, the Board received no complaints. In 2019, there were two complaints, whilst there was a single complaint in 2020.

In 2021 and 2022, there were three reports, and one report registered before the Board respectively.

Falzon said that these 10 complaints have been concluded, and disciplinary action was taken, which determined shortcomings by the respective psychologists.

He said that one complaint, which came to the Board’s attention earlier this year in 2024, is still under investigation and is expected to be concluded shortly.

Attard Previ also asked Falzon to state how many complaints were submitted to the Social Work Profession Board from 2013 to the date the parliamentary question is answered, broken down year by year, and to provide a general description of the nature of these complaints.

She also asked the Minister to state how many of these complaints are still pending.

Falzon said that from 2013 to date, the Social Work Profession Board received five complaints.

In 2021, the Board received one complaint which dealt with a breach of professional ethics, Falzon said.

The Board received two complaints in 2023: one concerning inappropriate behaviour by a professional in their private life, and the other regarding a breach of professional ethics.

Falzon said that in 2024, the Board received two complaints, both involving the incorrect use of the title of Social Workers.

He said that all investigations have been closed, and there are no ongoing or pending investigations before the Social Work Profession Board.