Parliament on Monday passed a Bill granting legal recognition to the profession of a psychotherapist in Malta, following a parliamentary debate that saw support expressed by both sides.

The bill seeks to formally recognise psychotherapy as a distinct profession within Malta's mental healthcare.

During the parliamentary discussion on the bill, Social Policy Minister Michael Falzon said that nowadays, "no one doubts that psychotherapy is a profession in its own right."

Falzon recognised psychotherapists' value in supporting people's mental health on the Maltese islands.

He said that "everyone reaches a moment where they need help" and that doing so is not a sign of weakness, but on the contrary, it means they had the courage to seek help.

The Opposition were in favour of the legislation, as PN MP Ian Vassallo spoke of the effectiveness of talk therapy by psychotherapists, where clients can be made aware of their situations and what coping mechanisms and stress management strategies they can undertake to try and improve their personal situations.

PN MP Stephen Spiteri said that the Bill supported the advancement of psychotherapists in Malta, for their profession as well as for their patients' wellbeing.

The Bill amends the Psychotherapy Profession Act that was first introduced in 2018.