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12° Nicosia,
09 October, 2026
 
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School pupils may be getting psychological help from unlicensed provider

Psychologists flag a case at a local public school, warning that a psychology degree alone does not authorize someone to provide all forms of support.

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A person working with children at a local public school may be providing psychological services they are not legally authorized to offer, the Cyprus Psychologists Association has warned.

The association said an outside collaborator appears to be carrying out work reserved for a registered psychologist without the necessary registration. It stressed that the concern is especially serious because children are involved.

The school and the person have not been named, and the information provided does not establish that a breach occurred.

For parents, the question is simple: Is the person helping their child qualified and legally allowed to provide that particular support?

The association explained that having a psychology degree does not automatically allow someone to assess or treat people.

Cyprus has two separate professional registers. According to the association, someone listed as a graduate psychologist can teach psychology, carry out research, and interview people to refer them to a registered psychologist.

To provide services reserved for a registered psychologist, they need the appropriate professional registration.

The association said public bodies must check that the work they give someone matches what that person is legally allowed to do.
It also raised concerns about who assesses whether police officers are psychologically fit to carry a gun.

Given the responsibility involved, it said those assessments—and psychological support for officers—must be handled by appropriately registered psychologists.

The association said it had already raised the police issue with the justice minister and the parliamentary human rights committee. It also referred to a statement it gave the Cyprus News Agency in July 2026 outlining the same requirement.

It is now calling on the authorities to check current practices across public services, clarify the jobs given to psychology graduates, and ensure that services requiring full professional registration are provided by people who hold it.

TAGS
Cyprus  |  education  |  schools

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