Parliament approves inclusion of counseling psychologists in national health system

In Cyprus, the parliament unanimously passed an amendment on Thursday, April 2, allowing for the recognition of counseling psychologists within the national health system (GESY); 45 deputies voted in favor of the law.

The amendment classifies counseling psychologists under the category of "other health professionals," granting them the right to provide services within the GESY system. The initiative was supported by deputies from several factions, citing the expansion of access to mental health services and the reduction of the burden on the clinical network.

DIPA MP Alekos Tryfonidis called the decision the result of coordinated efforts and noted that counseling psychology is an "autonomous and important field" covering needs outside of clinical practice. DISY MP Charalambos Pazaros, a co-author of the proposal, reported that negotiations with the Health Insurance Organization (HIO) had been ongoing for about a year.

Supporters of the reform emphasize that the inclusion of counseling psychologists should reduce waiting lists and distribute cases among specialists, "unburdening" the system. AKEL MP Christos Christofias supported the initiative in substance but raised procedural concerns, stating that such matters should ideally be handled by the Ministry of Health; he later clarified that the objections were procedural in nature.

According to the authors of the amendment, lengthy consultations and institutional delays made legislative intervention necessary. For residents of Cyprus, this means an expected expansion of access to psychological support within GESY and a reduced reliance on private services.