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🇦🇹 Austria: Country-Specific Requirements to Join It’s Complicated as a Mental Health Practitioner

Lisa Malmheden
Updated

Austria is 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 Austria, 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 Austria.

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

 

Austrian Laws and Regulations

In Austria, the regulation of mental health professions varies significantly depending on the professional title being used (e.g. Psychotherapist or Psychologist). 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 Austria. These guidelines are based on national legislation such as the Psychologengesetz and the Psychotherapiegesetz, 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.

 

Austrian Titles With Special Requirements

The table below provides an overview of legally protected professional titles for therapists based in Austria. 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
Psychologist
Psycholog:in
  • Psychology degree with at least 300 ECTS credits
  • Typically includes a bachelor’s (180 ECTS) and master’s degree (120 ECTS)
Clinical Psychologist
Klinische:r Psycholog:in
  • Psychology degree with at least 300 ECTS credits
  • Completion of postgraduate theoretical and practical training (see §23 and §24 Psychologengesetz)
  • Registration in the official list of Clinical Psychologists
Health Psychologist
Gesundheitspsycholog:in
  • Psychology degree with at least 300 ECTS credits
  • Completion of postgraduate theoretical and practical training (see §14 and §15 Psychologengesetz)
  • Registration in the official list of Health Psychologists

Clinical and Health Psychologist
Klinische:r und Gesundheitspsycholog:in
  • Psychology degree with at least 300 ECTS credits
  • Completion of postgraduate theoretical and practical training in both fields (see requirements above)
  • Registration in the official lists of Clinical and Health Psychologists

Psychotherapist
Psychotherapeut:in

OLD system:

  • Completion of Propädeutikum (765h theory + 550h practice incl. internship, supervision, and self-experience)
  • Completion of Fachspezifikum (≥1,600h total: theory, practice, supervision, and self-experience in one of 23 recognised methods)
  • Registration in the official list of Psychotherapists
     

NEW system (university-based):

  • Bachelor's and Master's degree in Psychotherapy Science (B.Sc. + M.Sc., minimum 5 years total)
  • Integrated practical training, case supervision, and self-experience as part of studies
  • Registration in the official list of Psychotherapists

 

  • ℹ️ Note: Austria is currently transitioning to the new system. For now, both routes are valid.

Psychiatrist
Psychiater:in
  • Medical degree (Dr. med. univ.)
  • Licence to practice medicine in Austria
  • Completion of a 6-year medical speciality training in Psychiatry and Psychotherapeutic Medicine (includes diagnostics, treatment, pharmacotherapy, and integrative psychotherapeutic elements)
  • Registration in the Ă„rzteregister (medical registry)


Using a Foreign Degree in Austria

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

Without formal recognition (Anerkennung), you are not legally permitted to use these titles in Austria, even if your training is equivalent to Austrian 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.

 

 

Not a member of It's Complicated yet? Join today and start growing your practice.

 

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