This Act amends the Psychotherapy Profession Act, Cap. 587, and is deemed to have come into force on 1st January 2026 (Article 1(2)). Its principal purposes are to introduce a framework for legal persons (companies, firms, partnerships) practising psychotherapy, to refine qualification requirements, and to update various procedural and disciplinary provisions.

Article 2 of the principal Act is amended in three ways (Amendment Act, Article 2): the definition of 'association of psychotherapists' is revised to require ten or more registered psychotherapists who do not practise through the association; a new definition of 'legal person' is inserted, covering companies, firms, partnerships and other bodies under civil or commercial law (excluding not-for-profit organisations) with a registered office, central administration or principal place of business within the EU; and the definition of 'practice' is substituted to include exercising psychotherapy against remuneration whether through a legal person or otherwise, as well as the right to use the title 'Registered Psychotherapist' followed by the modality studied.

Article 3 of the principal Act is amended (Amendment Act, Article 3) in three respects. Sub-article (1) is replaced to prohibit any person from holding themselves out as a registered psychotherapist, practising against remuneration, or assuming the title unless holding a warrant under the Act, with a proviso that nothing in the Act affects professions regulated under other laws. Paragraph (d) of sub-article (3) is replaced to update the qualifying bachelor's degree requirement, now specifying a degree in a natural, human, medical or social science from an institution the Minister may specify by regulation, or alternatively a bachelor's degree plus a Propaedeutics Psychotherapy Programme of not less than 250 hours (or 10 ECTS, equivalent to a level 7 award). New sub-articles (6) and (7) are added providing compensatory measures — an adaptation period of up to three years or an aptitude test — for candidates who meet paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of sub-article (3) but whose training does not meet paragraphs (d) and (e) because of substantially different subject matter or shorter duration; decisions must be justified and communicated in writing.

Article 5 of the principal Act is amended (Amendment Act, Article 4): paragraph (d) of sub-article (1) is deleted; paragraph (e) is substituted to require the Board to maintain a register of legal persons offering psychotherapy services; and sub-article (2) is substituted to require the Board, not later than three months after the end of each calendar year, to publish in the Gazette a list of persons registered in the official register as of 31st December of the previous year.

Article 9(5)(b) of the principal Act is amended (Amendment Act, Article 5) to refer to 'suspension or revocation of the registration of the legal person of psychotherapists'. Article 13 of the principal Act is deleted (Amendment Act, Article 6). Article 14 is wholly substituted (Amendment Act, Article 7) to set out that, notwithstanding any other law or agreement, a legal person pursuing psychotherapy may act through one or more warrant-holders forming part of it, and that liabilities of a person who has retired, died or otherwise ceased to form part of such legal person do not cease on that ground alone. Article 15 of the principal Act is deleted (Amendment Act, Article 9).

A new Article 14A is inserted (Amendment Act, Article 8) establishing the full legal-person regime: a legal person established in Malta or another Member State by a psychotherapist may practise psychotherapy in Malta provided a registered psychotherapist undertakes the practice on its behalf; both the legal person and the registered psychotherapist are jointly and severally liable; the registered psychotherapist's name must be clearly identified in formal communications, contracts, and marketing materials; and a legal person may include non-psychotherapist members, but psychotherapy itself must be carried out only by a registered psychotherapist.

Article 16 of the principal Act is amended (Amendment Act, Article 10): sub-article (4) is substituted to make it an offence to use the word 'Psychotherapists' in relation to an unregistered legal person or to use a name deceitfully implying such registration; sub-article (5) is substituted to provide that use of cards, letterheads, signs, advertisements or electronic means bearing the words 'Psychotherapist' or 'Registered Psychotherapist' in relation to an unregistered legal person shall be deemed sufficient evidence of knowledge of such use, unless the person proves the use was without consent and that reasonable steps were taken to stop it upon becoming aware. The Act commenced retrospectively on 1st January 2026 by deemed commencement under Article 1(2).

Psychotherapy Profession Act Amendment (Act No. V of 2026)