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🇳🇱 The Netherlands: Country-Specific Requirements to Join It’s Complicated as a Mental Health Practitioner

Lisa Malmheden
Updated

The Netherlands are one of our key markets, with many therapists and clients using It’s Complicated from within the country. That’s why, in addition to our global requirements, we’ve defined specific criteria for therapists based in the Netherlands, to ensure compliance with local laws and regulations. This article outlines the country-specific requirements you’ll need to meet in order to join the platform if you're practicing in the Netherlands.

👉 Important: Please note that country-specific requirements refer to the country where the therapist is based and actively practicing, not their country of origin.

 

Dutch Laws and Regulations

In the Netherlands, the regulation of mental health professions varies significantly depending on the professional title being used (e.g. GZ-psycholoog or Psychiater). Some titles are also legally protected, meaning they can only be used by professionals who have completed specific training and received official recognition or licensing from the state.

The information below outlines the minimum qualifications required to join our platform if you want to use a protected title while practicing in the Netherlands. These guidelines are based on national legislation such as the Wet op de Beroepen in de Individuele Gezondheidszorg (BIG Act / Individual Healthcare Professions Act), as well as on standards set by licensing authorities and professional chambers. 

⚠️ If you’re not planning to use a protected title (for example, if you register as a Coach or Counsellor), our standard global requirements apply.

 

Dutch Titles With Special Requirements

The table below provides an overview of legally protected professional titles for therapists based in the Netherlands. If the title you intend to use is not listed here, that means our standard global requirements apply instead.

 

Professional Title Country-specific Requirements Sources & Further Information
Health Care Psychologist
GZ-psycholoog

  • Master’s degree in Psychology (WO Master, from a research university)

  • Completion of a 2-year post-master training program in healthcare psychology (GZ-opleiding)

  • Registration in the BIG register as a health psychologist (GZ-psycholoog)
  • Regulated under the Wet BIG (Individual Healthcare Professions Act)
Clinical Psychologist
Klinisch Psycholoog

  • Master’s degree in Psychology (WO Master, from a research university)

  • Prior registration as a health  Psychologist (GZ-psycholoog)

  • Completion of a 4-year specialist training in clinical psychology

  • Registration in the BIG register as a clinical psychologist (Klinisch Psycholoog)
  • Regulated under the Individual Healthcare Professions Act (Wet BIG)
Psychotherapist Psychotherapeut

  • Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in psychology or a related field (WO Master, from a research university)

  • Prior registration as a health care psychologist (GZ-psycholoog) or equivalent clinical training

  • Completion of a 4-year specialist psychotherapy training

  • Registration in the BIG register as a psychotherapist (Psychotherapeut)

  • Regulated under the Individual Healthcare Professions Act (Wet BIG)

Psychiatrist
Psychiater

  • Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in medicine, 6 years (WO Master, Geneeskunde)

  • Completion of the national medical licensing exam (arts-examen)
  • Completion of a 4.5-year specialist training in psychiatry
  • Registration in the BIG register as a psychiatrist (Psychiater)
  • Regulated under the Individual Healthcare Professions Act (Wet BIG)

Psychologist
(Psycholoog)
  • Bachelor’s and master's degree in psychology (WO Master, from a research university)
  • ⚠️ Title not regulated under the BIG register

Social Worker Maatschappelijk werker
  • Bachelor’s degree in social work, 4 years / 240 ECTS (HBO Bachelor, Social Work)
  • ⚠️ Not regulated under the BIG register, but many social workers are registered with either SKJ (Dutch Youth Quality Register) or Registerplein (Professional Register for Social Work & Welfare).


Using a Foreign Degree in the Netherlands

If you are based in the Netherlands but obtained your degree or professional qualification abroad, you’ll need to have it officially recognised by the relevant Dutch authority in order to use a protected professional title such as GZ-psycholoog, Psychotherapeut, or Psychiater.

Without formal recognition (erkenning or herregistratie), you are not legally permitted to use these titles in the Netherlands, even if your training is equivalent to Dutch standards. Depending on your academic and professional background, you may still be eligible to join the platform using a non-protected title, such as Counsellor or Coach.

 

đź’ˇ Help us improve: We're committed to keeping these requirements accurate and up to date. If you notice any discrepancies or have questions about the information provided, please don't hesitate to reach out to our support team. Your feedback helps us ensure we're providing the most reliable guidance to our community.

 

 

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