Mental Health Licensing & Regulation in Denmark: 2025 Guide

In Denmark, the regulation of mental health professionals creates a key distinction between roles. While the title "psychologist" is legally protected and requires a university degree, an optional "authorisation" signifies further supervised training.

In contrast, therapists and psychotherapists are unregulated. This guide explains the requirements for each profession, how to verify a provider's credentials, and what to look for to ensure you receive qualified care.

Table of Contents | Jump Ahead

Executive Summary

Legal Framework and Regulatory Authority

Professional Categories and Authorisation Requirements

Verification Procedures

Red Flags and Warning Signs

Your Rights and Protections

References

Executive Summary

Legal Framework and Regulatory Authority

Primary Legislation

• Authority: Governs psychologist's authorisation in Denmark

• Scope: Establishes framework for voluntary authorisation system

• Protected Title: "Psychologist" (Psykolog) legally protected

• Authorisation Title: "Authorised Psychologist" (Autoriseret Psykolog) protected

• Subject: Regulation of psychology practice and authorisation

• Implementation: Detailed requirements for authorisation process

• Supervision: Requirements for practical education and supervision

Regulatory Bodies

Danish Supervisory Board of Psychological Practice (Psykolognævnet)

• Parent Organisation: Ankestyrelsen (Danish Agency for Quality and Oversight in Healthcare)

• Website: https://ast.dk/naevn/psykolognaevnet/

• Verification Portal: https://ast.dk/naevn/psykolognaevnet/find-autoriserede-psykologer

• Authority: Voluntary authorisation of psychologists

• Database: New database system for finding all authorised psychologists

• Application Fee: DKK 3,575 (approximately €479)

Ankestyrelsen (Danish Agency for Quality and Oversight in Healthcare)

• Role: Parent agency overseeing psychological practice supervision

• Website: https://ast.dk/

• Authority: Government oversight of healthcare quality and professional standards

• Jurisdiction: National authority for healthcare professional oversight

Professional Organizations

Danish Psychological Association (Dansk Psykologi Forening - DPF)

• Founded: 1947

• Role: Professional organisation for psychologists
• Website: https://www.dp.dk/

• Certification Authority: Can certify licensed counsellors/psychologists since January 2012

• Membership: Voluntary professional membership organisation

• Specialist Certification: Confers specialist titles requiring additional 3+ years of training

Professional Categories and Authorisation Requirements

Psychologist (Psykolog)

• University Degree: Minimum 5-year university degree in psychology (cand.psych.)

• Recognised Universities: University of Copenhagen, University of Aarhus, University of Aalborg, Syddansk Universitet

• Curriculum: Deep understanding of human behaviour, emotion, and cognitive processes

• Protected Title: "Psychologist" legally protected - only those with comprehensive education may use title

• Practical Education: 2 years of supplementary practical education after graduation

• Supervision: Minimum 160 hours of clinical supervision

• Clinical Work: 1,680 hours of practical work experience

• Application: Complete application form with documentation

• Fee: DKK 3,575 for authorisation processing

• Assessment: Psychological testing and mental health condition assessment

• Counselling: Individual, group, and family counselling services

• Therapeutic Interventions: Evidence-based psychological treatments

• Consultation: Professional consultation to organisations and institutions

• Research: Psychological research and program evaluation

Authorised Psychologist (Autoriseret Psykolog)

• Supervised Practice: 2 years full-time supervised practical education

• Clinical Experience: Documented experience with testing, diagnostics, and treatment

• Government Oversight: Practice governed by law and supervised by the government

• License Removal: Authorisation can be removed for a serious breach of conduct

• Higher Standards: Licensed psychologists often maintain higher working standards

• Healthcare Settings: Authorised to work in public healthcare system

• Clinical Diagnosis: Enhanced diagnostic capabilities

• Specialised Services: Access to specialised areas requiring authorisation

• Government Recognition: Official recognition for certain professional roles

Specialist Psychologist

• Base Authorisation: Must first be authorised psychologist

• Additional Training: Minimum 3 years of additional specialised training

• Supervised Experience: Thousands of hours of supervised clinical work

• Certification: Specialist title conferred by Danish Psychological Association

• Total Experience: Minimum 10 years total experience in psychotherapy field

• Advanced Specialisation: Highly specialised areas of psychological practice

• Complex Cases: Treatment of complex mental health conditions

• Supervision: Supervision of other psychologists and trainees

• Expert Consultation: Expert-level consultation and assessment services

Therapist/Psychotherapist (Unregulated)

• No Mandatory Requirements: Therapists and psychotherapists don't require license or qualifications

• Varied Background: May have diverse educational backgrounds

• Professional Training: Some may have relevant professional training (3+ years)

• Unprotected Titles: "Therapist" and "psychotherapist" not legally protected

• No Legal Protection: Cannot use protected titles like "psychologist"

• Limited Recognition: Not recognised in official healthcare system

• Private Practice: Primarily private practice without government oversight

• Consumer Risk: Higher risk for consumers due to lack of regulation

Verification Procedures

Authorised Psychologist Verification

Portal: https://ast.dk/naevn/psykolognaevnet/find-autoriserede-psykologer

Database: New Psykolognævnet database (updated November 2024)

Verification Process:

• Access Portal: Visit official Ankestyrelsen verification website

• Search by Name: Enter psychologist's name in search field

• Review Results: Verify authorisation status and details

• Confirm Identity: Cross-reference with provided identification

• Check Specialisations: Verify any specialist certifications

Danish Psychological Association Verification

Purpose: Verify professional membership and specialist certifications

Process: Contact DPF directly for membership verification

Specialist Titles: Verify specialist certifications through DPF

Red Flags and Warning Signs

Unqualified Practitioners - Warning Signs:

• Uses "psychologist" title without proper Danish university education (cand.psych. degree)

• Claims authorisation without appearing in official Psykolognævnet database

• Cannot provide verification of 5-year psychology degree from a recognised Danish university

• Uses "Authorised Psychologist" title without completing 2-year supervised practical education

• Claims exemption from Danish educational requirements for psychology practice

• Cannot verify completion of required supervision hours (minimum 160 hours for authorisation)

• Offers psychological services without a proper educational background

• Makes unrealistic promises or guarantees about treatment outcomes

• Requests inappropriate personal information unrelated to psychological services

• Suggests discontinuing prescribed psychiatric medication without consulting prescribing physician

• Operates without professional insurance or institutional affiliation

• Claims specialist status without DPF certification or proper additional training

• Charges excessive fees without a transparent fee structure

• Refuses to provide credentials or educational documentation

• Cannot verify clinical experience requirements for authorisation

Verification Steps for Users:

• Check Authorization Status: Use https://ast.dk/naevn/psykolognaevnet/find-autoriserede-psykologer

• Verify Educational Credentials: Confirm cand.psych. degree from a recognised Danish university

• Check Professional Membership: Verify DPF membership if claimed

• Confirm Specialisation: Verify specialist certifications through DPF

• Research Background: Look up practitioner in professional networks

• Ask for Documentation: Request to see original degree certificates and authorisation

• Verify Supervision: Confirm completion of required supervised practical education

• Check Insurance: Verify professional liability insurance coverage

What to Do If You Encounter Problems:

• Document Everything: Keep detailed records of interactions, concerns, and inappropriate behaviour

• Contact Psykolognævnet: Report authorisation violations to Danish Supervisory Board

• Website: https://ast.dk/naevn/psykolognaevnet/

• Authority: Government oversight of psychological practice

• Contact Danish Psychological Association: Report professional misconduct to DPF

• Contact University: Report to educational institution if practitioner claims affiliation

• Seek Second Opinion: Consult another qualified, authorised psychologist

• Report Serious Issues: Contact local police if criminal activity or serious misconduct suspected

• Consumer Protection: File a complaint with the Danish consumer protection agency

• Healthcare Complaints: Contact regional healthcare authority for healthcare-related violations

Your Rights and Protections

As a Client, You Have the Right To:

• Qualified professionals with proper Danish education for psychology services

• Verification of authorisation status through official government database

• Confidentiality and privacy protection under professional ethical guidelines

• Informed consent about treatment including risks, benefits, and alternatives

• Access to treatment records and documentation of sessions

• Second opinions from other qualified professionals

• File complaints about poor service or professional misconduct

• Discontinue treatment at any time without penalty or coercion

• Transparent fee structure and advance notice of costs

• Professional boundaries maintained at all times

• Referral to appropriate specialists when needed

• Clear distinction between regulated and unregulated practitioners

Questions to Ask Your Mental Health Professional:

• Do you have a Danish university degree in psychology (cand.psych.)?

• Are you authorised by Psykolognævnet? (If claiming authorisation)

• What university did you attend for your psychology degree?

• Have you completed the required 2-year supervised practical education?

• Are you a member of the Danish Psychological Association?

• Do you have any specialist certifications?

• What is your experience with my type of concern?

• What treatment approach will you use?

• How long might treatment typically take?

• What are the costs and payment options?

• What are the potential risks and benefits of treatment?

• Do you have professional insurance coverage?

• What is your complaints procedure?

Professional Standards You Should Expect:

• Proper credentials displayed and readily available for verification

• Clear explanation of qualifications and authorisation status

• Transparent fee structure discussed before treatment begins

• Informed consent process for all treatments and assessments

• Confidentiality maintained except in legally required situations

• Professional boundaries maintained at all times

• Referral to appropriate specialists when needed

• Regular review of treatment progress and goals

• Respectful, non-discriminatory treatment regardless of background

• Evidence-based treatment approaches following international standards

• Clear complaints procedure and professional accountability

• Appropriate clinical facilities and professional environment

Understanding the Danish System:

• Authorisation is Optional: Not all psychologists are authorised, but title "psychologist" is protected

• Educational Requirements: 5-year university degree is required to use "psychologist" title

• Therapist vs. Psychologist: "Therapist" and "psychotherapist" are unregulated titles

• Government Oversight: Authorised psychologists have government supervision and higher standards

• Specialist Certification: Additional certification available through professional association

• Consumer Choice: You can choose between authorised and unauthorised practitioners

References

Danish Regulation No. 663 of 25 June 2012 on Psychology Practice

Danish Supervisory Board of Psychological Practice

Ankestyrelsen (Danish Agency for Quality and Oversight)

Danish Psychological Association (Dansk Psykologi Forening)

Authorised Psychologist Verification Portal
Act on Psychologists (Psykologloven) – eLov

Executive Order on Authorisation of Healthcare Professionals – Retsinformation

This guide reflects Denmark's dual-track regulatory system, where the title "psychologist" is legally protected, while "therapist" and "psychotherapist" are not. The system establishes a baseline for psychologists through mandatory university education, with an optional higher-level "authorisation" signifying advanced supervised training under government oversight. High professional standards are maintained through this structure, rigorous educational requirements, and a strong professional association. Verify current requirements with the Danish Supervisory Board of Psychological Practice (Psykolognævnet) for the most up-to-date information.