The fact that the title of a psychotherapist may be used by practitioners who are not proper qualified, proves this – note the Slovenian Umbrella Association for Psychotherapy (SKZP) and the Slovenian Association of Psychotherapists (ZPSI).

Both associations would like to eliminate this problem, as well as several others. Therefore, the two organizations have signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation. This is merely a first step to a special law that would regulate psychotherapeutic activities. There have already been many appeals for a separate law from psychotherapists, and the ministry had prepared a bill for an act on psychotherapeutic activities several years ago. The associations have now decided to prompt the ministry to re-activate the work group that would prepare changes and amendments to the bill.

The organisations have warned that psychotherapy is extremely demanding expertise that requires an expert with a lot of knowledge and experience. Currently however, warns Milena Srpak, the president of ZPSI, anyone can boast the title of a psychotherapist, since the number of false psychotherapists has risen substantially in the past few years. Since the area is not properly legally regulated, points our Srpak, "unfortunately there are no sanctions for unethical and harmful work". At the same time, "this is damaging morally and in professionally to the psychotherapists with appropriate education, since completely unqualified people call themselves psychotherapists and, by doing so, put the rest into a bad light".

ZPSI and SKZP have internal guidelines on obtaining the title and a code of ethics, and these are the only measures that try to protect the users of the services as well as the quality of the work, argues Srpak. However, the measures have no real power without legal standing, she adds.

Sabina Janičijević; Translated by K. Z.