DUBAI // Unqualified people are exploiting loopholes in the law and calling themselves mental-health professionals, putting those with psychological disorders at risk, an expert says.
“While the Ministry of Health has progressed rapidly in developing licensing regulations commensurate with international mental health standards for practice, there are still many loopholes in the system,” said Deema Sihweil, clinical director and psychologist at Dubai’s Carbone Clinic.
“This is highly concerning and many people exploit the loopholes in the system – call themselves clinical psychologists – and patients can be at great risk.
“Trade licences can be vague and if the licensing bodies reject applicants because they don’t meet the qualifications to obtain legal and ethical licences ... these applicants go through different bodies and obtain these vague trade licences.”
Dr Sihweil said she had heard of many unqualified people, who called themselves psychologists and who practised under consultancy, education, life-coaching or human resources trade licences.
“This is extremely dangerous,” she said. “People trust their doctors and many people can be harmed in this manner.
“Consumers of mental-health services must examine the credentials and experience of their practitioners. Too many people trust that the service providers they see are assumed to be licensed by the Ministry of Health.
“Mental-health workers get a very bad reputation because of unqualified individuals who end up exploiting vulnerable patients for their own benefit, for money, for power or for fame.
“It is absolutely necessary for the perception of mental health to change and the community needs to be educated on how critical mental health [is to] one’s overall well-being and physical health.
“The Government must not permit these gaps or loopholes in the system, which allow for people to practise illegally.”
A panel of mental-health experts could help the Government to increase the standards and integrate the system as a unified body that regulates and monitors mental-health facilities and individual practitioners, Dr Sihweil said.
“Once ... loopholes are closed, the community can feel safer that their lives are in safe hands, leading to best practices and greater public health,” she said.
jbell@thenational.ae
