The role of the clinical psychologist in the management of psychiatric patients in Malta

Abstract

The Clinical Psychologist in Malta is expected to be an M.A. graduate in Psychology, and as such registered by the Board for the professions supplementary to Medicine. The main functions of the Clinical Psychologist include:- (a) Assessment and diagnostic testing of patients with psychological deficiences and deviations (b) Therapeutic and educative role in changing attitudes towards the processes of learning, behaviour modification and therapy, and in generating increased awareness of the role of non-professionals within the therapeutic milieu. (c) Preventive role, whether primary (improvement of quality of life), secondary (active case finding) and tertiary (reduction of relapses and recidivism while preventing any chronic disease and hospitalization).