The institutionalization of psychotherapy requires dialogue, collaboration and political will

by Thekla Vasiliou

In an era where mental health needs are constantly increasing and more and more people are seeking professional support, the need for a clear, modern and reliable institutional framework for psychotherapy is becoming imperative. The absence of such a framework does not only affect professionals in the field, it primarily affects citizens, who have the right to know that the services they receive are provided by appropriately trained, certified and supervised professionals.

Within this framework, a meeting of the Pancyprian Association for Psychotherapists was recently held with the Minister of Health, Mr. Neophytos Charalambides. The meeting was an essential first step towards promoting the institutionalization of psychotherapy in Cyprus and highlighted the common recognition that this is an issue that directly concerns public health, the quality of mental health services provided and, above all, the protection of citizens.

During the meeting, the Pancyprian Association for Psychotherapists presented its documented positions and recommendations, underlining the need to proceed with a reform that has been pending for years. The institutionalization of psychotherapy is not simply a professional request. It is primarily a public health issue. The State must ensure that psychotherapy services are provided by professionals with recognized education, adequate training, continuous supervision and clear ethical obligations. In this way, the trust of citizens is strengthened and the quality of the services provided is ensured.

Working group with a common goal

One of the most important suggestions we submitted was the establishment of a working group with the participation of the Ministry of Health and all the stakeholders involved. We believe that this is a necessary initiative, which can constitute the essential starting point for the formation of a modern and functional institutional framework.

Experience from other European countries has proven that complex public health issues cannot be addressed in isolation. They require cooperation, exchange of expertise and substantive dialogue between all stakeholders involved. Such a working group can constitute the appropriate framework for recording needs, studying European good practices and formulating proposals that will respond to the real needs of Cypriot society.

As the Pancyprian Association for Psychotherapists, we believe that only through a structured, scientifically documented and substantive dialogue can an institutional framework be formed that will serve the public interest. A framework that will protect citizens, ensure high-quality mental health services and strengthen the transparency, accountability and credibility of the profession.

The next day

The Pancyprian Association for Psychotherapists remains committed to the goal of institutionalizing psychotherapy and is ready to actively contribute to any initiative that will lead to its implementation. The recent meeting with the Minister of Health created the conditions for the start of a substantive and constructive dialogue.

The next step is the transition from dialogue to action. With cooperation, scientific documentation and political will, Cyprus can acquire a modern, functional and reliable institutional framework for psychotherapy, harmonized with European standards and oriented primarily to the protection of citizens and the upgrading of mental health services.

Thekla Vasiliou

President of the Pancyprian Association for Psychotherapists

Psychologist (MSc)

Systemic Psychotherapist