“For many years, I heard from my environment about a certain “psychologist”. When I felt that I needed her too, I made an appointment without looking for her. I met her during the pandemic. He never wore a mask, there were no antiseptics anywhere in the room, and over time he started giving me anti-vaccination propaganda. When I told her that I was thinking about getting pregnant, she even tried to make me question the vaccine and its effect on the baby. Luckily I was very well armored and it didn’t affect me. But a friend of mine who was listening to her had a panic attack and was hospitalized after being vaccinated because of the fear it caused. When I did that too, he started telling me that he needed to do a little cleaning for me. I left and never came back, because of course I had already spent a lot of money. As I was leaving, I noticed her bell again. It said “psychotherapist-psychologist”. After everything I’ve been through, I’m certainly not at all sure what it really was.”

Margarita’s experience, as she admitted to “K”, of course, is not an isolated one. The relevant reports are submitted to the Greek Psychological Association (SEPS). “Unfortunately, we often encounter complaints about the fraudulent use of the title of psychologist,” describes Mr. SEPS Legal Counsel, Loukas Apostolidis. “We see shrewd people using the precious commodity of health and pretending to be doctors, either giving advice or giving various prescriptions for medicines. A characteristic feature of the situation is that 2/3 of the cases when a conflict of authority or professional status arises relate to the healthcare sector, in other areas everything is not easy.”

In the field of mental health, cases of counterfeiting have increased by 25% over the past 12 years.

Particularly in the area of ​​mental health, Mr. Apostolidis notes that cases of forgery have increased by 25% over the past 12 years. “The mental health situation of Greek society has deteriorated due to the repeated crises it has experienced. There was poverty, unemployment in homes, and then with the pandemic, everyone was looking for a doctor somewhere, even a doctor. Combined with these crises, we also have a 45 percent increase in divorces between the ages of 24 and 37. Especially where there are children, there is a need for their psychological support. Family counselors or other counseling professionals also appear in this context. So as divorces and rapes increase, additional professions multiply, but they have no legal recognition.”

With a simple application to the tax office

The profession of psychologist was legally recognized in 1979. In fact, Greece was the first country in Europe to legislate the conditions for granting a license to practice this profession. Almost 20 years later, in 1998, some of the provisions were amended and supplemented in the new law. Since then, titles such as counselor, mental health consultant, psychotherapist, psychoanalyst, etc. They are used according to their users. Since there is no legal basis for these qualifications, anyone who does not have a formal qualification or the necessary qualifications can start working simply by filing a declaration with the tax office.

“It is tragic that the Greek state gives them such an opportunity. They announce everyone as counselors, using the translation of the term counselor, and with service blocks open personal accounts. Next, no matter what happens … “, comments “K” n clinical psychologist and president of SEPS Vasiliki Bukuwala. In fact, he specifies that in the Anglo-Saxon countries a consultant cannot open his own office or work independently. But he has the opportunity to work, for example, in a structure, only under supervision.

The unregulated structure of these securities leaves citizens and professionals unprotected. As V. Bukuwala explains, clients who seek advice from these people are usually not satisfied and may they are even more mentally traumatized, at the same time, the field of psychology is discredited. SEPS has published guidance on information and protection of citizens, which recommends that the public apply for a license to practice the profession of psychology they have visited if it is not located in their office. “We cannot leave this to the awareness and activation of the citizen. We received all complaints after the fact, ”comments the club’s legal adviser. According to the data he collected 10 years ago, the GSEP received two complaints a year. However, more than 17 cases have accumulated over the past five years, most of which are in court and concern individuals who allegedly gave opinions on dubious scientific evidence.

Registration required

Complaints clearly point to the need for a registry. SEPS maintains a register of over 4,000 members who present their professional license for registration. But there is no general picture. the law does not oblige psychologists to register. This file should not be released to the public and should not be used to verify the identity of psychologists for privacy reasons. That is why he repeatedly – over the course of 15 years – asked the Ministry of Health to supplement the register, with the condition that the Regions would be required to notify the SEES of the licenses they issue. The Ministry of Health and all citizens will now have access to the full register. “It is a matter of transparency and clarity, to always know who is in front of you,” the president says, making it clear that the intention of SEPS is to bear the costs of its creation and maintenance. However, this request remains unanswered by the ministry.

While SEPS initiates procedures and promotes the establishment of the registry in every possible way, it does not agree with the creation of a legal entity of public law in accordance with the standards of the Bar and Medical Associations. There, indeed, lawyers and doctors are accordingly required to register in order to practice their profession. “The creation of a state institution will not serve either the profession of psychologist or the state itself. Conversely, it can become more burdensome and add bureaucracy. Mistakes in the use of professional advisors can be resolved with a registry that will clarify the situation,” explains the president of SEPS.

“Even gymnasts, economists, mathematicians are trained in psychotherapy…”

However, the framework surrounding the training of psychotherapists is also fluid, for whom, although there is a KAD in the tax office, there is no law guaranteeing the profession and therefore the qualification. Education is provided mainly by private institutions, but also by public institutions such as Aeginetio, which also offer paid seminars. OUR Tsambika Bafiti, clinical psychologist and co-owner of Logo Psyche, a systemic psychotherapy training and research institute, explains the conditions they set for their trainees. “They must have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in psychology, psychiatry, social work or mental health care, be over 25 years of age, and begin their own treatment. However, there are other centers that teach psychotherapy even to gymnasts, economists, mathematicians…”. The Hellenic Society for Systemic Therapy owns 20 training centers that meet these criteria and train only mental health professionals. Their four-year program includes theory, practice with simulation exercises, supervision where trainees bring their own cases and work on them in a group, and personal therapy. “After all, how can you be a therapist if you haven’t worked with yourself?”