Mental Health Licensing & Regulation in Poland: 2025 Guide

Mental Health Licensing & Regulation in Poland: 2025 Guide

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TherapyRoute

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Cape Town, South Africa

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❝In Poland, state-licensed psychiatrists and unregulated psychologists operate under entirely different rules, and knowing how to check their qualifications is the first step toward finding safe mental health care.❞

In Poland, the regulation of mental health professionals varies significantly by role. Psychiatrists are medically licensed, while psychologists and psychotherapists currently practice in a largely unregulated field with voluntary standards.

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 while major legal reforms are underway.

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Table of Contents | Jump Ahead

Official Legal Framework

Regulatory Authorities

Professional Categories and Scope of Practice

Verification Procedures for the Public

Complaint Procedures

Protected Titles and Legal Framework

Current Professional Statistics

Language Requirements

Recommendations for the Public

Sources and Verification

Official Legal Framework

Current Status: Poland is undergoing significant regulatory reform for mental health professionals. The Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy has prepared a comprehensive draft law on the profession of psychologist (2024), while psychotherapy remains largely unregulated, with voluntary professional standards maintained by the Polish Psychotherapy Council (PRP). The current Law of 8 June 2001 on psychology profession is non-functional due to legal defects.

Primary Legislation:

  • Draft Law on Psychology Profession (2024): Comprehensive new regulation under consultation
  • Law of 8 June 2001: Current psychology law (non-functional in practice)
  • Medical Specialisation Regulations (2019): Clinical psychotherapy specialisation for physicians
  • Healthcare Professions Act: General healthcare professional regulation
  • Professional Self-Government Laws: Framework for professional self-governance
Legal Authority: Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy for psychology profession; Ministry of Health for medical psychotherapy specialisation

Official Government URLs:

Regulatory Authorities

1. MINISTRY OF FAMILY, LABOUR AND SOCIAL POLICY

Role: Primary authority for psychology profession regulation and draft legislation

Authority: Government ministry with legislative and regulatory oversight powers

Functions:

  • Legislative Development: Development of comprehensive psychology profession law
  • Professional Standards: Setting national professional standards and requirements
  • Self-Government Oversight: Supervision of future psychology professional self-government
  • Public Consultation: Managing public consultation on psychology profession regulation
  • International Recognition: Processing international professional qualification recognition
  • Quality Assurance: Ensuring quality standards for psychology education and practice
Legal Powers:
  • Legislative Authority: Authority to develop and propose psychology profession legislation
  • Standards Setting: Setting national professional practice standards and requirements
  • Self-Government Supervision: Supervisory authority over psychology professional self-government
  • International Recognition: Authority over international qualification recognition procedures
  • Professional Development: Oversight of professional education and training standards
Contact Information: Current Initiatives:
  • Draft Psychology Law: Comprehensive draft law on psychology profession and self-government (2024)
  • Public Consultation: Public consultation period (June-July 2024)
  • Professional Standards: Development of professional practice standards and ethics
  • Self-Government Establishment: Framework for establishing psychology professional self-government

2. FUTURE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PSYCHOLOGISTS (PROPOSED)

Role: Proposed professional self-government body for psychologists

Authority: Future professional self-governance with regulatory and disciplinary powers

Proposed Functions:

  • Professional Registration: Registration and licensing of psychology professionals
  • Professional Standards: Setting and maintaining professional practice standards
  • Ethics Oversight: Professional ethics oversight and disciplinary authority
  • Professional Development: Professional development and continuing education requirements
  • Public Protection: Ensuring professional competency and public safety
  • International Relations: International professional cooperation and recognition
Proposed Legal Powers:
  • Registration Authority: Authority to register and license psychology professionals
  • Disciplinary Authority: Authority for professional disciplinary actions and sanctions
  • Standards Setting: Authority to set professional practice standards and ethics
  • Professional Oversight: Oversight of professional practice and competency
  • Title Protection: Authority to protect psychology professional titles
Current Status: Establishment pending passage of draft psychology profession law

Implementation: Self-government will assume powers upon law enactment and establishment

3. POLISH PSYCHOTHERAPY COUNCIL (POLSKA RADA PSYCHOTERAPII - PRP)

Role: Voluntary professional organisation maintaining psychotherapy standards

Authority: Professional association with voluntary standards and certification

Functions:

  • Professional Standards: Voluntary professional standards for psychotherapy practice
  • Certification: Voluntary psychotherapist certification and registration
  • Training Standards: Standards for psychotherapy training and education (minimum 1200 hours)
  • Professional Development: Professional development and continuing education
  • Public Protection: Voluntary quality assurance for psychotherapy services
  • Professional Advocacy: Advocacy for the psychotherapy profession regulation
Legal Status: Voluntary professional organisation (no statutory authority)

Membership: Federation of 15 psychotherapy associations with diverse approaches

Contact Information:

  • Website: https://prp.org.pl/en/
  • Address: ul. Żurawia 47/49, 00-680 Warsaw
  • Phone: +48 22 628 94 48
  • Email: biuro@prp.org.pl
Professional Services:
  • Psychotherapist Register: Voluntary register of certified psychotherapists
  • Training Standards: Minimum 1200-hour psychotherapy training requirements
  • Professional Certification: Voluntary professional certification for psychotherapists
  • Quality Assurance: Voluntary quality assurance for psychotherapy education and practice

4. MINISTRY OF HEALTH

Role: Authority for medical psychotherapy specialisation and healthcare regulation

Authority: Government ministry with medical specialisation and healthcare oversight

Functions:

  • Medical Specialisation: Clinical psychotherapy specialisation for physicians (established 2019)
  • Healthcare Regulation: General healthcare professional regulation and oversight
  • Medical Standards: Medical practice standards and requirements
  • Healthcare Integration: Integration of mental health services with healthcare system
  • Professional Development: Medical professional development and education oversight
Contact Information: Medical Psychotherapy Specialisation:
  • Establishment: Clinical psychotherapy specialisation established in 2019
  • Requirements: Medical degree plus specialised psychotherapy training
  • Authority: Full medical authority, including prescription and procedures
  • Integration: Integration with the Polish healthcare system

5. THE POLISH PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION (PTP)

Role: Professional organisation for psychologists in Poland

Authority: Non-governmental association representing psychologists and promoting psychological science and practice

Functions:

  • Professional Representation: Represents the interests of psychologists across Poland
  • Scientific Promotion: Supports and promotes psychological research and knowledge dissemination
  • Ethical Standards: Develops and enforces ethical guidelines for psychological practice
  • Professional Development: Organises training, conferences, and continuing education for members
  • Public Awareness: Raises awareness about psychological issues and mental health in society
  • Certification: Provides certification and recognition for specialised psychological qualifications
Contact Information: Psychological Specialisation and Training:
  • Scope: Non-medical psychological specialisation and practice
  • Requirements: Psychology degree and completion of specialised psychological training accredited by PTP
  • Authority: Professional certification and ethical oversight, no medical prescription authority
  • Integration: Collaboration with healthcare providers and institutions for mental health services integration

Professional Categories and Scope of Practice

1. PSYCHOLOGIST (PROPOSED REGULATED PROFESSION)

Regulatory Authority: Future National Council of Psychologists (pending legislation)

Registration Required: Future mandatory registration (pending law implementation)

Scope: General psychology practice with protected title

Education Requirements (Proposed):

  • University Degree: Master's degree in psychology from recognised university
  • Professional Training: Practical training and supervised experience
  • Professional Competency: Demonstration of professional psychology competency
  • Language Proficiency: Proficiency in Polish language
  • Professional Standards: Adherence to professional ethics and standards
  • Continuing Education: Ongoing continuing education requirements
Scope of Practice (Proposed):
  • Psychological Assessment: General psychological assessment and evaluation
  • Psychological Consultation: Professional consultation and advisory services
  • Psychological Intervention: Evidence-based psychological interventions
  • Research: Psychology research and evidence-based practice
  • Professional Development: Professional development and training services
  • Title Protection: Legal protection of psychologist's title

Current Status: Awaiting passage of draft psychology profession law

Implementation: Registration system will be established upon law enactment

2. CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST (PROPOSED SPECIALIZED CATEGORY)

Regulatory Authority: Future National Council of Psychologists (pending legislation)

Registration Required: Future specialised registration (pending law implementation)

Scope: Clinical psychology assessment and intervention

Education Requirements (Proposed):

  • Psychology Degree: Master's degree in psychology with clinical specialisation
  • Clinical Training: Specialised clinical psychology training and supervised practice
  • Professional Competency: Demonstration of clinical psychology competency
  • Supervised Practice: Extensive supervised clinical practice experience
  • Professional Standards: Adherence to clinical professional ethics and standards
  • Continuing Education: Ongoing clinical continuing education requirements
Scope of Practice (Proposed):
  • Clinical Assessment: Comprehensive clinical psychological assessment and testing
  • Psychological Diagnosis: Clinical psychological evaluation and diagnosis
  • Treatment Planning: Clinical treatment planning and case management
  • Psychological Intervention: Evidence-based clinical psychological interventions
  • Consultation: Professional consultation to healthcare providers and teams
  • Research: Clinical research and evidence-based practice

3. PSYCHOTHERAPIST (VOLUNTARY CERTIFICATION)

Regulatory Authority: Polish Psychotherapy Council (PRP) - voluntary

Registration Required: Voluntary PRP certification.

Scope: Psychotherapy practice with voluntary professional standards

Education Requirements (PRP Standards):

  • Base Qualification: University degree (psychology, medicine, or related field)
  • Psychotherapy Training: Minimum 1200 hours psychotherapy training
  • Theoretical Training: Comprehensive theoretical psychotherapy education
  • Practical Training: Extensive practical psychotherapy training and supervision
  • Personal Therapy: Personal therapy requirements (varies by approach)
  • Supervision: Ongoing supervision during training and practice
  • Continuing Education: Ongoing continuing education requirements
Scope of Practice:
  • Individual Therapy: Individual psychotherapy for adults, adolescents, and children
  • Group Therapy: Group psychotherapy and therapeutic groups
  • Family Therapy: Family and couples therapy (with appropriate training)
  • Crisis Intervention: Crisis intervention and emergency mental health services
  • Treatment Planning: Comprehensive psychotherapy treatment planning
  • Professional Consultation: Consultation with other healthcare providers
Professional Requirements:
  • PRP Certification: Voluntary certification through Polish Psychotherapy Council
  • Professional Insurance: Professional liability insurance
  • Continuing Education: Ongoing continuing education and professional development
  • Professional Standards: Adherence to PRP professional ethics and practice standards
  • Supervision: Ongoing professional supervision (especially for new practitioners)
Current Legal Status: No statutory regulation - practice legally permitted without specific qualifications

4. CLINICAL PSYCHOTHERAPIST (MEDICAL SPECIALIZATION)

Regulatory Authority: Ministry of Health

Required: Medical registration plus psychotherapy specialisation

Scope: Medical psychotherapy practice with full medical authority

Education Requirements:

  • Medical Education: 6-year medical degree from recognised university
  • Medical Training: General medical training and internship
  • Psychotherapy Specialisation: Clinical psychotherapy specialisation training (established 2019)
  • Medical Registration: Medical registration with appropriate medical chamber
  • Specialisation Certification: Psychotherapy specialisation certification
  • Language Proficiency: Proficiency in Polish language
  • Continuing Education: Ongoing medical education requirements
Scope of Practice:
  • Medical Authority: Full medical authority, including prescription and procedures
  • Psychotherapy Practice: Comprehensive psychotherapy assessment and treatment
  • Medical Integration: Integration with medical and healthcare services
  • Hospitalisation: Authority for psychiatric hospitalisation and treatment (if qualified)
  • Emergency Care: Medical emergency care and crisis intervention
  • Healthcare Integration: Full integration with Polish healthcare system

5. PSYCHIATRIST (MEDICAL SPECIALIZATION)

Regulatory Authority: Ministry of Health and Medical Chambers

Registration Required: Medical registration plus psychiatric specialisation

Scope: Full psychiatric medical practice

Education Requirements:

  • Medical Education: 6-year medical degree from recognised university
  • Medical Training: General medical training and internship
  • Psychiatric Specialisation: Psychiatric specialisation training and residency
  • Medical Registration: Medical registration with appropriate medical chamber
  • Psychiatric Certification: Psychiatric specialisation certification
  • Language Proficiency: Proficiency in Polish language
  • Continuing Education: Ongoing medical education requirements
Scope of Practice:
  • Medical Authority: Full medical authority, including prescription and procedures
  • Psychiatric Diagnosis: Comprehensive psychiatric assessment and diagnosis
  • Medical Treatment: Psychiatric medications and medical interventions
  • Hospitalisation: Authority for psychiatric hospitalisation and treatment
  • Emergency Care: Psychiatric emergency care and crisis intervention
  • Healthcare Integration: Full integration with Polish healthcare system

Verification Procedures for the Public

Current Verification Challenges:

Limited Regulation: Currently no comprehensive statutory regulation for psychology or psychotherapy

Voluntary Systems: Verification limited to voluntary professional organisation membership

Verifying Psychotherapist Certification (Voluntary):

PRP Register: Polish Psychotherapy Council maintains a voluntary psychotherapist register.

Verification Process:

  • PRP Website: Access PRP website at https://prp.org.pl/en/
  • Register Search: Search PRP psychotherapist register
  • Certification Status: Verify PRP certification and standing
  • Training Information: Check training background and specialisations

Verifying Medical Professionals:

Medical Chambers: Medical professionals registered with regional medical chambers

Verification Process:

  • Medical Chamber: Contact appropriate regional medical chamber
  • Registration Search: Search medical registration database
  • Specialisation Verification: Verify medical specialisations and certifications
  • Professional Standing: Check professional standing and any restrictions

Future Verification (Pending Psychology Law):

National Council: Future National Council of Psychologists will maintain a professional register

Verification System: Comprehensive verification system for registered psychologists

Public Access: Public access to professional registration verification

Professional Information Available:

  • Certification Status: Professional certification status (voluntary systems)
  • Training Background: Professional training and education background
  • Specialisations: Professional specialisations and areas of expertise
  • Professional Standing: Professional standing within voluntary organisations

Complaint Procedures

Current Complaint Challenges:

Limited Regulation: No comprehensive statutory regulation creates limited formal complaint procedures

Voluntary Systems: Complaint procedures limited to voluntary professional organisations

For PRP-Certified Psychotherapists:

Authority: Polish Psychotherapy Council (PRP) Process:
  • PRP Complaint: Submit a complaint to Polish Psychotherapy Council
  • Professional Investigation: PRP investigation of professional conduct and certification compliance
  • Standards Review: Review against PRP professional standards and ethics
  • Professional Sanctions: PRP professional sanctions if violations found (certification suspension/revocation)
  • Appeal Process: Appeal procedures within PRP system

PRP Complaint Contacts:

  • Website: https://prp.org.pl/en/
  • Address: ul. Żurawia 47/49, 00-680 Warsaw
  • Phone: +48 22 628 94 48
  • Email: biuro@prp.org.pl

For Medical Professionals:

Authority: Regional medical chambers and Ministry of Health

Process:

  • Medical Chamber Complaint: Submit complaint to appropriate regional medical chamber
  • Medical Investigation: Medical chamber investigation of professional conduct
  • Medical Standards Review: Review against medical professional standards and ethics
  • Medical Sanctions: Medical disciplinary measures if violations found
  • Appeal Process: Appeal procedures within medical chamber system

For Unregulated Practice:

Consumer Protection: General consumer protection authorities for fraudulent claims

Civil Remedies: Civil legal remedies for professional misconduct and damages

Criminal Prosecution: Criminal prosecution for fraud or illegal medical practice

Future Complaint Procedures (Pending Psychology Law):

National Council: Future National Council of Psychologists will have comprehensive disciplinary authority

Formal Procedures: Formal complaint and disciplinary procedures for registered psychologists

Public Protection: Enhanced public protection through statutory regulation

Complaint Categories:

  • Unlicensed Practice: Fraudulent claims about professional qualifications or certifications
  • Professional Misconduct: Violations of professional ethics and standards (voluntary systems)
  • Scope Violations: Practising outside appropriate scope or making inappropriate claims
  • Training Fraud: Fraudulent claims about professional training or education
  • Medical Practice: Illegal medical practice without appropriate medical qualifications

Available Remedies:

  • Professional Sanctions: Professional sanctions through voluntary organisations (certification suspension/revocation)
  • Civil Liability: Civil liability for professional misconduct and damages
  • Consumer Protection: Consumer protection remedies for fraudulent claims
  • Criminal Prosecution: Criminal prosecution for fraud or illegal practice

Protected Titles and Legal Framework

Current Title Protection:

Limited Protection: Current Law of 8 June 2001 provides limited title protection (non-functional)

Voluntary Standards: Title protection primarily through voluntary professional organisations

Proposed Protected Titles (Pending Legislation):

  • "Psycholog" (Psychologist): Protected under proposed psychology profession law
  • "Psycholog Kliniczny" (Clinical Psychologist): Protected specialised psychology title
  • "Lekarz" (Doctor/Physician): Protected under medical legislation
  • "Psychiatra" (Psychiatrist): Protected under medical legislation and psychiatric specialisation

Current Professional Titles (Voluntary):

  • "Psychoterapeuta" (Psychotherapist): Voluntary professional title (PRP certification)
  • "Psychoterapeuta Kliniczny" (Clinical Psychotherapist): Medical specialisation title

Legal Requirements for Protected Titles (Proposed):

  • Professional Registration: Valid registration with the National Council of Psychologists
  • Educational Compliance: Appropriate university education and professional training
  • Professional Standards: Adherence to professional standards and ethics
  • Registration Maintenance: Current registration status and compliance with requirements

Penalties for Unlicensed Use of Protected Titles (Proposed):

  • Criminal Sanctions: Criminal penalties for fraudulent use of protected titles
  • Professional Sanctions: Professional disciplinary actions and penalties
  • Civil Liability: Civil liability for professional misconduct and damages
  • Practice Prohibition: Legal prohibition from using protected professional titles

Current Legal Enforcement:

Limited Enforcement: Limited enforcement due to non-functional current law

Consumer Protection: General consumer protection for fraudulent claims

Medical Enforcement: Strong enforcement for medical titles and practice

Current Professional Statistics

Mental Health Professionals:
  • Psychology Graduates: Significant number of psychology graduates (estimated 40,000+ practising)
  • PRP Psychotherapists: Hundreds of PRP-certified psychotherapists
  • Medical Psychotherapists: Growing number of medical psychotherapy specialists (since 2019)
  • Psychiatrists: Established psychiatric medical speciality
Professional Characteristics:
  • Unregulated Practice: Currently legal to practice psychology/psychotherapy without specific qualifications
  • Quality Concerns: Concerns about practice quality due to a lack of regulation
  • Professional Advocacy: Strong professional advocacy for comprehensive regulation
  • Training Diversity: Wide range of training quality and approaches
System Challenges:
  • Regulatory Gap: Significant regulatory gap for psychology and psychotherapy professions
  • Quality Assurance: Limited quality assurance mechanisms
  • Public Protection: Limited public protection due to lack of regulation
  • Professional Standards: Inconsistent professional standards across practitioners

Language Requirements

For Professional Practice:

  • Polish Language: Proficiency in Polish language required for professional practice
  • Professional Communication: Language skills for patient and professional communication
  • Documentation: Professional documentation in Polish language
  • Cultural Competency: Understanding of Polish cultural and healthcare context

For Foreign Professionals:

  • Language Assessment: Language proficiency assessment required for professional practice
  • Cultural Preparation: Understanding of Polish healthcare and cultural context
  • Professional Integration: Integration with Polish professional community
  • Continuing Education: Language and cultural continuing education opportunities

Recommendations for the Public

When Seeking Mental Health Services:

  • Verify Training: Check professional training and education background
  • Professional Organisations: Seek services from professionals affiliated with recognised organisations
  • Professional Experience: Consider professional experience and specialisations
  • Insurance Coverage: Verify health insurance coverage for services
  • Professional Standards: Ensure adherence to professional standards and ethics

When Seeking Psychology Services:

  • Educational Background: Verify appropriate psychology education and training
  • Professional Experience: Check professional experience and specialisations
  • Professional Organisations: Check membership in recognised professional organisations
  • Scope of Practice: Understand scope of practice and services offered
  • Professional Insurance: Ensure professional liability insurance coverage

When Seeking Psychotherapy Services:

  • PRP Certification: Consider PRP-certified psychotherapists for quality assurance
  • Training Background: Verify comprehensive psychotherapy training (minimum 1200 hours)
  • Professional Experience: Check professional experience and specialisations
  • Supervision: Ensure appropriate professional supervision (especially for new practitioners)
  • Professional Standards: Ensure adherence to professional ethics and standards

For International Practitioners:

  • Regulatory Awareness: Stay informed about the developing psychology profession regulation
  • Language Proficiency: Develop adequate Polish language proficiency
  • Cultural Preparation: Understand Polish healthcare and cultural context
  • Professional Integration: Engage with Polish professional community
  • Legal Compliance: Ensure compliance with current and future professional requirements

Red Flags to Avoid:

  • No Professional Training: Cannot provide evidence of appropriate professional training
  • Unverified Claims: Claims about qualifications not verifiable through professional organisations
  • Inappropriate Scope: Practising outside appropriate scope or making inappropriate medical claims
  • No Professional Insurance: Cannot provide evidence of professional liability insurance
  • Unlicensed Medical Practice: Making medical claims without appropriate medical qualifications

Sources and Verification

Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy

Polish Government Portal

Polish Psychotherapy Council

Psychology Profession Consultation

Government Legislation Centre

The Polish Psychological Association

This guide reflects Poland's transitional regulatory environment for mental health professionals, with comprehensive psychology profession regulation pending and psychotherapy remaining largely unregulated, with voluntary professional standards. The draft psychology profession law (2024) will establish mandatory registration and professional self-government. Verify current requirements with appropriate authorities for the most up-to-date information.

Important: TherapyRoute does not provide medical advice. All content is for informational purposes and cannot replace consulting a healthcare professional. If you face an emergency, please contact a local emergency service. For immediate emotional support, consider contacting a local helpline.

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