Parliament has unanimously approved legislation on Thursday to include counselling psychologists under the auspices of the national health system (Gesy).

The House passed the amendment with 45 votes in favour, enabling counselling psychologists to be recognised as “other health professionals” and provide services within Gesy.

Dipa MP Alekos Tryfonides described the move as the outcome of a coordinated effort, stressing that counselling psychology is “an autonomous and important pillar” addressing needs beyond clinical practice.

He said the aim is to ensure “quality mental health services without exclusions”, calling the reform “a decisive step for the modernisation of the health system”.

The legislation follows years of debate over gaps in Gesy’s mental health framework.

When the system was first introduced, psychiatrists and clinical psychologists were included, with counselling psychologists expected to follow.

That integration, however, was repeatedly delayed despite growing demand and criticism from professional bodies.

Disy MP Charalambos Pazaros, who co-promoted the proposal, said discussions with the health insurance organisation (HIO) had been ongoing for a year and rejected claims the timing was politically motivated.

He argued that counselling psychologists can “operate complementary to clinical psychology”, helping to reduce waiting times and distribute cases more effectively.

“Towards this end the system is decongested,” he remarked.

Support for the measure extended across party lines, though not without reservations.

Akel MP Christos Christofias backed the inclusion as necessary but warned about the legislative process.

“Resolving such issues should be the responsibility of the health ministry and and not parliament,” he said, cautioning against setting a precedent.

Despite these concerns, he confirmed the party would vote in favour, while criticising what he described as “the wrong path of populism and vote rigging”.

He later clarified that the objection was procedural rather than substantive.

Tryfonidis, in a second intervention, said consultations had lasted three years and pointed to what he described as institutional delays.

He argued the law resolves “a chronic problem” that had left patients without adequate access to counselling services unless they turned to private care.