Help to regulate the profession of psychologist in Luxembourg once and for all!
Are you one of those citizens who are certain that you are speaking to a qualified professional when you go to see
a psychologist?
Unfortunately, this isn't always the case! The profession of psychologist is not regulated in Luxembourg, opening the doors to possible abuse and malpractice.
The Société Luxembourgeoise de Psychologie (SLP) regularly receives complaints from patients/clients who have unwittingly turned to "psychologists" with no or insufficient qualifications and competence. With no regulation whatsoever, no action can be taken in such cases. This situation not only is harmful to the patient/client, but also to the profession of psychologists.
The SLP is being contacted more and more frequently by people with insufficient psychological training regarding professional establishment in Luxembourg. Despite refusal of SLP membership, professional establishment as a psychologist cannot be prevented.
As one of the last countries in Europe without regulation, this trend is likely to increase in Luxembourg as unqualified practitioners cannot work as psychologists in other EU countries.
Our requests for regulation of the profession have fallen on deaf ears for years on the side of the ministries, even though regulation would ensure adequate psychological support and protect fellow citizens from pseudo-psychologists.
Help us
We hope that you will support our demand and thus help to persuade the political leaders to regulate. We also thank you for sharing this appeal. Sign by submitting this form.
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What is a psychologist?Psychologists are scientifically trained experts in psychological functioning and human behavior. They obtain their qualification by completing a 5-year university degree in psychology with at least 300 ECTS. Psychologists work in very different professional fields, such as clinical psychology, in school settings and education, in workplace environment, in the social sector or as an expert witness in court. Clinical psychologists are specifically trained in the field of mental disorders. Many of them are also accredited as psychotherapist.
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How should the profession be regulated?In order to practice as a psychologist in Luxembourg, an authorization should be mandatory. As elsewhere in Europe, the applicant should have completed a 5-year university degree in psychology with at least 300 ECTS. This is the only way to ensure adequate professional qualification. A disciplinary board should be mandated to to ensure practice and respect for the profession's code of ethics and conduct and to intervene in cases of violations. As the professional activities of psychologists are not limited to the clinical sphere, but cover a wide range of professional fields (e.g. school and educational settings, workplace environment, social field or expert witnessing in court), and as interventions by psychologists can have a significant impact on the development and lives of people, it is essential that authorizations also cover those fields of work of psychologists.
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What distinguishes psychologists, psychotherapists and psychiatrists?Psychologists are scientifically trained experts in psychological functioning and human behavior. They obtain their qualification by completing a 5-year university degree in psychology with at least 300 ECTS. Psychologists work in very different professional fields, such as clinical psychology, in school settings and education, in workplace environment, in the social sector or as an expert witness in court. Clinical psychologists are specifically trained in the field of mental disorders. Many of them are also accredited as psychotherapist. Psychiatrists are physicians who have specialized in the field of psychiatry after completing their medical studies. The profession of physician is regulated by law. Psychotherapists are psychologists or physicians (mostly psychiatrists) with additional training in psychotherapy recognized by the state. The practice of psychotherapy is protected by legal accreditation.
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What is SLP?The Société Luxembourgeoise de Psychologie is the most representative association of qualified psychologists and psychological psychotherapists in Luxembourg. It has more than 475 active members, of which around 180 are recognized as accredited psychotherapists. Since 2001, SLP is official member of the European Federation of Psychology Associations (EFPA). www.slp.lu
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What is the aim of this initiative?To have the Luxembourg legislator regulate the profession of psychologist across the various fields of work of psychologists.
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Who can sign?Anyone who finds this initiative worth supporting. Thanks to your many signatures, we hope to persuade the political decision-makers to regulate the profession.
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How can I cancel a signature?At any moment a signatory can ask to have his/her signature removed, simply send a request by email to contact@slp.lu
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How is a signatory's data used?His or her surname and first name may be published on this website. The signatory may be sent information about the further progress of this initiative. The signatory's name and other data will only be used for this purpose.
