Salamanca Psychologist Barred from Profession After Sexual Assault Conviction. In Castile and León, a psychologist from Salamanca has been expelled from the professional association following a conviction for sexually assaulting a patient. The decision was unanimous. The ban applies throughout Spain and the EU.
For the first time in recent years, the maximum disciplinary measure has been applied to a specialist in Castile and León: a psychologist from Salamanca, convicted of sexual assault against a patient, has been expelled from the professional association. The decision to exclude him was made unanimously by the board of the Colegio de Psicología de Castilla y León (Copcyl) after news of the court's verdict—eight years in prison for a crime against a woman in a state of acute emotional vulnerability.
As noted by Copcyl, disciplinary proceedings began back in February when the association received information about the criminal complaint filed by the victim. The Ethics Committee reviewed the case materials and recommended expulsion of the specialist for gross violation of professional standards. Ultimately, the board supported this decision, citing the organization's charter, the professional code, and the provisions of the law on professional associations.
In effect, expulsion means complete loss of the right to practice the profession: without membership in the association, the psychologist cannot work either in Spain or in other EU countries. In addition, the decision automatically blocks the possibility of re-registration with any regional or national association.
A court in Salamanca sentenced the defendant not only to eight years in prison, but also imposed additional restrictions: a six-year ban from working in his field, a thirteen-year ban from any professions involving minors, and a ten-year ban on approaching or communicating with the victim. Upon release, a similar period of supervision is imposed.
Copcyl emphasizes that these measures are necessary to protect patients and maintain trust in the profession. The organization’s statement says that caring for people's well-being and safety is a key responsibility of psychologists and relevant institutions. The sanctions take effect after official notification, but the convicted person has one month to appeal to the Consejo General de Psicología or two months to file a case in court.
In Spain, issues of professional ethics and discipline in medical and social professions are regulated not only by internal statutes, but also by national legislation. Cases where a professional body imposes the maximum sanctions following a criminal conviction remain rare. By comparison, in other regions of the country, disciplinary measures are more often limited to temporary suspension from duty. Issues of professional responsibility and oversight of specialists are also discussed in other sectors: for example, recently a court in Badalona considered a dispute over migrants' rights after eviction, which also sparked debate over the role of professional and social institutions.
As of 2026, Spain operates a mandatory professional registration system for most medical and social professions. Ethical violations and criminal cases automatically trigger a review of professional admission. In the case of Copcyl, the decision on permanent expulsion highlights the strict approach to such incidents and the commitment to protecting patients from potential risks.
