paths

paths is a mental health and wellbeing practice in Malta that brings together more than 30 psychologists, psychotherapists, counsellors and family therapists. It works from three clinics, in Gwardamanġa, Msida and Mosta, so there is usually a location within reach whether you live in the Valletta area, the harbour towns or the north-west of the island.

The practice offers therapy for adults, children and adolescents, couples and families, as well as assessments and support programmes for employers. The aim is to make good quality psychotherapeutic support uncomplicated, with an appointment offered within a week of first contact. This page explains what is on offer, where the clinics are and how to ask about an appointment. It describes services only and does not give medical or psychological advice.

Who is behind paths

The practice was founded by Charlene Duca, a clinical psychologist and Gestalt psychotherapist who graduated in 2012. At that time there were few clinics offering a warm, welcoming setting for personal therapy. In 2015 she opened Bloom Psychology Clinic to bring therapists together under one roof, and in 2018 she opened TherapyWorks Clinic to give clients a more structured and stable therapeutic presence.

paths grew out of that experience. The idea is to give people more autonomy in looking for wellbeing, so that therapy is not only about managing a difficulty but about finding your own route towards feeling well. Alongside qualified therapists, the team includes trainee psychotherapists, which helps keep therapy accessible, and psychology assistants. The assistants hold a Bachelor's degree in psychology and experience in the mental health field. They are usually the first people to reply to an enquiry, and they help match each client with a suitable professional or point them to an outside service that may suit better.

Therapy for individuals, children, couples and families

Individual psychotherapy is the core service. Therapy means meeting a mental health professional to explore patterns of behaviour, attitudes, beliefs, emotions, relationships and experiences that may be causing distress. Sessions give you a private space to talk about these things without judgement, with a therapist who aims to build a real working relationship with you. There is no problem too big or too small to raise, and if you find it hard to open up, the therapist will guide you. The areas of support listed include self-growth, general mental health and wellbeing, anxiety, addiction, anger, burnout, depression, disability, domestic violence, eating disorders, grief and loss, LGBTIQA+ concerns, mindfulness, personality disorders, relationships, self-esteem, stress and trauma. If your concern is not on the list, you can still ask whether the team is the right fit.

Separate pathways exist for children and adolescents, and the clinics have rooms suited to children aged three and over. Couple and family therapy is offered by systemic family psychotherapists and other members of the team, and grief counselling and debriefing work are also available. Therapists include Gestalt psychotherapists, counsellors, health and clinical psychologists, and systemic family psychotherapists. You can compare other practices in our directory of psychologists in Malta.

Assessments for children and adults

paths carries out psychological assessments for children, adolescents and adults, and educational assessments for children who may be facing developmental delays or learning difficulties. A psycho-educational assessment looks at a child's strengths and at the areas that need more support, in school and at home.

Assessments can be carried out for neuro-developmental conditions including autism spectrum disorder and ADHD, and for specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia and dyscalculia. Reports can help with school functioning, including applying for a statement of additional class support and for examination access arrangements. After an assessment, parents can book consultations about child development, upbringing and challenging behaviour, and the team can also provide school-based interventions that connect home, school and the wider community. Psychologists are the professionals who may carry out psychological testing, which is one of the differences between their work and that of counsellors, psychotherapists and family therapists. The practice suggests choosing a clinician by the sense of connection and fit you feel, whatever their title.

Support for companies

Employers can ask for an Employee Assistance Programme, as well as seminars, talks, workshops, group interventions, team building events, consultation services and help in managing a crisis. The thinking is that when people feel well, they are more engaged in their work, so investing in mental wellbeing benefits both staff and the business.

If you run a business in Malta and are building a benefits package, our guide to the iGaming industry in Malta shows a sector with large workforces, and the listing for AE Business Advisors is one place to start for business planning. Tailored training and consultation work is agreed with each client, and fees are not published for these services. Talks and events are also available for schools, groups and organisations, so it is worth describing the audience, the topic and the number of people when you write to the team.

Clinics, languages and opening hours

The Gwardamanġa clinic is at 52 Triq Ġużè Ellul, near Valletta, so our Valletta guide is a useful companion if you are visiting the capital the same day. The Msida clinic is at 23 Triq il-Baċir. The Mosta clinic is run through Hope Counselling and Psychology at Triq Anglu Gatt and is by appointment. If you are in Mosta, you are not far from Mdina and Rabat. Across the three sites there are 13 therapy rooms, set up for children from three years old, adults, couples and families.

The team comes from varied backgrounds and cultures, and sessions are held in Maltese, English, Italian, Albanian, Russian, Dutch, French, Portuguese and Spanish. That is helpful for English-speaking newcomers, and our Malta relocation guide and digital nomad guide cover settling in. Opening hours are Monday to Friday from 9am to 9pm and Saturday from 9am to 1pm. For a relaxing break between sessions, you could look at the nearby AMIS City Spa or the Athenaeum Spa at Corinthia.

Fees and TherapyPacks

A full price session is charged at €70. Sessions with trainee psychotherapists, reports and assessments are priced separately and are not covered by session bundles.

The practice sells TherapyPacks, bundles of sessions paid in full on purchase by bank transfer, cash or card. A pack of 5 sessions costs €315 and must be used within three months, while a pack of 10 sessions costs €600 and must be used within six months. Bundles are not transferable, which means they can only be used by the named holder, or by a carer on behalf of a child. Couple and family bundles are for use by the same members with one therapist. Late cancellations and no shows forfeit a session, and refunds or extensions are only granted in exceptional circumstances at the clinic's discretion, so read the terms when you book.

Confidentiality and your first session

Confidentiality is treated seriously. What you say in therapy is not shared with anyone else unless you give permission, with limited exceptions: therapists must break confidentiality if they believe a client may harm themselves or others, or if they learn that someone is currently being neglected or abused. This applies particularly to children and adolescents. The team follows the ethical guidelines of the relevant Maltese associations for psychotherapy, counselling and psychology.

The first session is a mutual assessment. You and the therapist explore whether therapy would be helpful and whether the fit feels right, and you are under no obligation to continue. Sessions usually last between 50 minutes and an hour, and frequency can range from weekly to monthly depending on the support you want. Therapists, counsellors, psychotherapists and family therapists do not prescribe medication, though a therapist can talk this through and refer you to a psychiatrist if appropriate. paths is not an emergency service, and anyone in crisis who needs urgent help should contact the emergency services instead of using a booking form.

To ask about an appointment, use the VisitMalta.co.uk enquiry form on this page and we will pass your message to paths.