Baku, July 14, 2025
As mental health gains prominence in Azerbaijan, growing concern is being raised about the spread of unqualified “psychologists” online, especially on social media platforms. Experts warn that the absence of regulatory enforcement is leaving vulnerable individuals at risk.
Family therapist Taryel Faziloglu tells Media.Az that the problem is systemic: “There’s no clear supervisory body for psychology. The Ministry of Health points to the Ministry of Labor, while the Ministry of Labor insists it’s the Health Ministry’s job. In the end, no one takes responsibility.”
Although a law regulating psychological assistance has been on the books since 2018, its implementation remains superficial. According to the law, only certified psychologists—and in clinical settings, only licensed clinical psychologists—are authorized to provide mental health care. Violations are theoretically subject to administrative and even criminal penalties.
However, private psychology centers fall outside the scope of the Health Ministry’s direct control. That’s because psychological services are not listed among the activities requiring a license under a 2017 Cabinet decision—creating a regulatory blind spot.
“In this vacuum, imposters have flooded the field,” Faziloglu says. “Some people watch a few YouTube videos, open flashy Instagram pages, and present themselves as experts. With clever marketing, they gain followers and clients—sometimes causing real psychological harm. Families break down. People are retraumatized. And there’s no legal accountability.”
Even among diploma-holding psychologists, he warns, quality can vary widely. “A piece of paper isn’t enough. We need clinical foundations, therapeutic training, and internationally recognized certification.”
In developed countries, becoming a licensed psychologist requires a bachelor’s and master’s degree, four years of supervised practical experience, and successful completion of a licensing exam. Professionals must also take ongoing legal and psychological training, and their licenses can be revoked for malpractice.
Faziloglu believes Azerbaijan must adopt similar standards: “Mental health is linked to almost every major illness. Improving the quality of psychological care will improve public health as a whole.”
How Can the Public Stay Safe?
The psychologist urges clients to ask for proof of education and clinical experience, not just short-course certificates. “Don’t be afraid to verify degrees,” he says.
In response to Media.Az’s inquiry, the Ministry of Health stated that only certified professionals are allowed to work in licensed clinics. They added that inspections—both routine and surprise—are conducted based on citizen complaints, media reports, or alerts from civil society.
“If a credible report is submitted, the case goes to an expert group at the ministry’s analytical center. If violations are confirmed, action is taken according to the law,” the ministry noted.
