- Psychologist or psychiatrist?
- The way in and the price
- Free options
- How to choose
- Check the psychologist
- Is the place good?
Psychologist or psychiatrist?
A psychologist mainly uses talk therapy and has long training, but is not a doctor and cannot prescribe medication. A psychiatrist is a doctor specialised in psychiatry, can prescribe medication and can also give talk therapy. A psychiatrist is free with a referral from your GP. You can always say no to medication.
The way in – and what it costs
- With a referral from your GP the region pays 60% of the price for up to 12 sessions. For anxiety and depression the GP can refer again, so you can get up to 24.
- You can get a referral if you, for example, have been a victim of robbery, violence or rape · have been in an accident · are a relative of someone with serious mental illness · have a serious, disabling illness (or are a relative) · have lost someone close · have attempted suicide · have had a late abortion · were a victim of incest or sexual abuse before 18 · have mild to moderate anxiety or depression and are 25 or older.
- Deadlines: the referral must normally be given within 6 months of what happened (at most 12) – not for anxiety and depression. You must use it within 3 months and book the time yourself.
- 18–24 with anxiety or depression: free treatment in a regional service from 1 October 2026. The way in is a referral from your GP – the region contacts you via e-Boks. In Southern Denmark it is 8 sessions or a 12-week digital programme, starting within 30 days.
- Without a referral you pay yourself. If you are a member of the health insurance “danmark”, it gives a subsidy.
Free options – also while you wait
- Dansk Kvindesamfunds Rådgivning – free, anonymous talks with a psychologist, for all genders, also short courses: 53 83 91 19 (Wednesday 19–20).
- Students on SU can get free talks at Studenterrådgivningen (student counselling).
- 12–25: headspace – free and anonymous, in many towns.
- Phone and chat: Psykiatrifonden 39 25 25 25, DepressionsLinien 33 12 47 47, Livslinien 70 201 201 – see all lines.
- After violence or abuse: Offerrådgivningen 116 006, Joan-Søstrene, Landsforeningen Spor – and the rape crisis centres have psychologists.
- LGBT+: LGBT+ counselling 33 13 19 48.
How to find the right one
- Search on sundhed.dk → “Find behandler” → psychologist. Here you can see whether the psychologist accepts referrals with a subsidy (has a provider number), and often the waiting time.
- Write down 3–5 and call. It is completely fine to “interview” them first.
- Ask about what matters to you:
- “Do you have experience with … (e.g. trauma, psychosis, ADHD, being trans, addiction, bad experiences with psychiatry)?”
- “How do you work – and what do we do if it doesn't work for me?”
- “What does it cost, how long is the wait, and what does a cancellation cost?”
- “Can I bring someone? Can we talk online or go for a walk?”
- “What do you write down, and who do you share it with?”
Good signs: you are listened to, the psychologist explains what you do and why, and respects a no. Bad signs: you are pressured, made fun of, told what to believe, or the psychologist won't explain their method. The first session is a trial – you can switch, also with a referral (ask your GP for a new one).
Check the psychologist
From 1 January 2026 psychologists are authorised and supervised by the Danish Patient Safety Authority, like doctors. The title “psykolog” is protected. You can look up authorised health professionals in the Authorisation Register on stps.dk – it also shows if a person has been sanctioned. “Therapist”, “coach” and “practitioner” are not protected titles.
Is the place good? Other ways than reviews
We don't show stars or reviews of named doctors and psychologists. They are easy to fake, say little about whether you get the right help – and they are about individual people. But there are public sources that actually check:
- LUP – the patients' own answers. Every year the regions ask patients, including in psychiatry, how they were treated. The results are published for each department – search “LUP Psykiatri” and your region.
- Inspection reports. The Danish Patient Safety Authority visits hospitals, psychiatric wards, GP practices and private clinics. The reports and any orders are public on stps.dk.
- The Ombudsman's visits. The Parliamentary Ombudsman visits psychiatric wards to check that patients are treated with dignity, and publishes the reports.
- The Authorisation Register shows whether a health professional has restrictions or sanctions.
- Figures on coercion. The Danish Health Data Authority publishes how much coercion is used in psychiatry in each region (esundhed.dk).
- People who know. Ask in LAP (community of psychiatric service users), at Bedre Psykiatri (relatives) or at the patient office: “Who do people have good experiences with?” It is often the best source.
- Your own experience counts. You can give praise or criticism to the patient office – and complaints are used to learn. Write a complaint here.
Sources
- Referral, subsidy and the 18–24 scheme: borger.dk
- Southern Denmark: 18–24-year-olds from 1 October 2026: sundhed.dk
- Psychologists under the Patient Safety Authority from 2026: lovguiden.dk
- Authorised health professionals and the register: stps.dk
- Example: the Ombudsman's visit to the Psychiatric Department in Vejle: ombudsmanden.dk
- Patient satisfaction in adult psychiatry (Central Region): via.ritzau.dk
- Dansk Kvindesamfunds Rådgivning (free psychologist): danskkvindesamfundsraadgivning.dk