Psychotherapy Regulations in Europe
Agnieszka Popiel
European Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies (EABCT); SWPS Universityhttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-9990-4971
Helen MacDonald
European Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies (EABCT); University of Sheffield; British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive PsychotherapiesBranka Bagaric
European Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies (EABCT)https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1786-0993
Adela Sălceanu
European Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies (EABCT)Tanja Anastasova
European Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies (EABCT)Abstrakt
Aim: This paper explores the evolving regulatory landscape of psychotherapy across European countries to identify structural, legal, and ethical patterns that shape the profession. The primary objective is to assess whether psychotherapy should be defined and regulated as an independent profession or as a specialisation within established health disciplines such as psychology or psychiatry. A comparative analysis was conducted, based on case (country regulations’) studies and data from the ACSTEC/SWPS (2023) and EABCT (2025) projects, which document a significant diversity in qualification and training requirements.
Theses: The main theses are as follows: (1) regulatory systems based on the “lowest common denominator” and overly inclusive educational pathways pose a risk to patients because: (a) they carry a risk of consensus that undermines standards of evidence-based treatment, (b) they legitimize practices with undocumented efficacy and cost-effectiveness; (2) legal frameworks for psychotherapy in Europe are highly diverse in terms of access to qualifications, the role of university education, and oversight.
Conclusion: Europe requires a balanced model that protects patient safety, upholds evidence-based practice, and allows for the assimilation of knowledge stemming from the scientific development of psychotherapy. The article proposes a hybrid, competency-based regulatory model emphasizing transparent standards for evidence-based practice, clear educational pathways, and guarantees of access to effective care.
Słowa kluczowe:
psychotherapy regulation, evidence-based practice, Europe, professional standards, legal frameworks, competency-based training, ethics, hybrid modelBibliografia
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European Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies (EABCT); SWPS University
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9990-4971
European Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies (EABCT); University of Sheffield; British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies
European Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies (EABCT)
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1786-0993
European Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies (EABCT)
European Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies (EABCT)
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