Psychologist worked without diploma: court lifted professional ban, now without criminal record
Patryk Hałajczak worked as a psychologist on a false diploma for nearly three years, causing damage exceeding 71,000 zloty. A 2018 conviction was erased, and his criminal record expired.
False diploma and a legal loophole
Patryk Hałajczak repeatedly used a forged diploma to practice as a psychologist, working without qualifications in Poznań crèches and a kindergarten from March 2014 to January 2017. According to information provided by the president of the District Court Poznań-Grunwald and Jeżyce, obtained by the Rynek Zdrowia portal, Hałajczak's 2018 conviction was erased. In the eyes of the law, Hałajczak is today a person without a criminal record.
The District Court, by judgment of 6 March 2018 (case no. III K 709/17), found Hałajczak guilty of fraud and use of a forged document. It sentenced him to one year in prison suspended for two years, placed him under probation supervision, and imposed a five-year professional ban from practising as a psychologist.
Four victims harmed by over 71,000 zloty
Hałajczak induced individuals and legal entities to dispose of property disadvantageously in a total amount of 71,792.15 zloty. The victims were a foundation, which lost over 46,400 zloty, and three private individuals. Hałajczak admitted in court that he had purchased a forged clinical psychology diploma from the Wrocław SWPS in December 2013.
Appeal changes the five-year ban
The decision of the District Court in Poznań of 2 October 2018 (case no. XVII Ka 749/18) changes the picture. The court lifted the five-year professional ban, ruling that such a ban can only be imposed on a person with officially confirmed qualifications. Since Hałajczak worked based on a forgery, he never legally possessed the right to the profession and therefore it could not be taken from him.
The lifting of the ban had real significance. Had the five-year ban remained in place, it would have been valid until autumn 2023. However, already in 2020 Hałajczak obtained a genuine master's degree in psychology from the Higher School of Security.
Conviction erasure is automatic
The conviction for using a forged diploma and working without qualifications was erased in accordance with the criminal code, which provides for automatic erasure six months after the end of the probation period. The probation period ended in October 2020, so the erasure should have occurred in spring 2021. From that point, Hałajczak could present a certificate of good standing.
Career without obstacles until 2026
In 2020 Hałajczak joined the Polish Psychological Society. In March 2025 he became head of the Warsaw Regional Branch of PTP, the largest structure of Poland's oldest psychologists' organisation. For a year and a half he led this branch without public suspicion.
The matter gained momentum in August 2026, when the Facebook profile "Polish Psychological Society – Warsaw Branch Under Scrutiny" (established by psychologist Dr Piotr Toczański, former member of the WOT PTP board) published a screenshot from 2014 showing an announcement of collaboration between a Poznań crèche and psychologist Patryk Hałajczak, who obtained his diploma six years later.
Hałajczak resigns and files complaint with prosecutor
On 5 September 2026 the board of the Warsaw branch of PTP asked Hałajczak about his work without a diploma. He denied the accusations. On 7 September the Main Board filed a complaint with the Peer Court, and on 14 September Hałajczak resigned from his position and membership of the Society. He claimed he was being harassed and filed a complaint with the prosecutor's office.
On 17 September Rynek Zdrowia was the first to report the turmoil in the Society. The portal subsequently reported on the details of Hałajczak's career. Senator Wojciech Konieczny called for the introduction of external oversight of psychologists and psychotherapists. On 23 September the Gazeta Wyborcza's "Duży Format" published its own report, and on 27 September Newsweek did the same.
Hałajczak: I regret it and deserved punishment
In conversations with the media Hałajczak emphasised that he regretted his past and had faced consequences. In correspondence with Gazeta Wyborcza he asked whether a person after serving a sentence has the right to change and continue a professional career. His question strikes at the heart of the debate about the possibility of change and rehabilitation within Poland's criminal justice system.
Source: Google News PL — Crime (pl)