Recognition of Clinical Psychologist in Belgium: What You Can and Cannot Do

What the Law Exactly States

The Law on the Exercise of Healthcare Professions (WUG) and the specific Law on Mental Healthcare Professions recognize clinical psychologist and clinical orthopedagogue as protected healthcare professions. To use the title, a master's degree in psychology or orthopedagogy plus a 12-month professional internship is required. Recognition is granted by the FPS Public Health (FOD Volksgezondheid).

The law also defines psychotherapy as a specialization on top of a recognized healthcare profession (doctor, clinical psychologist, clinical orthopedagogue). Since 2016, those without one of these basic titles may no longer practice psychotherapy as a main activity, except under supervision or within transitional arrangements for those active before 2016.

What This Means for Somatic Work

Somatic work that does not present itself as psychotherapy is not covered by the law. This creates opportunities. You may call yourself: somatic therapist, body-oriented guide, Somatic Experiencing practitioner, NARM practitioner, coach with somatic expertise, body-mind coach, trauma-sensitive guide. What you may not do: call yourself a psychotherapist, psychologist, clinical psychologist, or psychotherapist without recognition.

How to Keep Your Website Legally Compliant

• Consistently use non-protected titles in headers, meta-tags, and footer.
• Describe your work in terms of guidance or training instead of treatment or therapy where possible.
• Explicitly state your education and certificates (e.g., 'certified Somatic Experiencing Practitioner via SE International').
• Refer for diagnosis and treatment of clinical disorders to recognized colleagues.
• Do not make claims of curing clinical diagnoses (depression, anxiety disorder, PTSD) without proper recognition.

Common Mistake

Using the word trauma on the website to claim the full scope of clinical trauma treatment. Trauma as an experiential category may be mentioned (people experience trauma, their nervous system retains traces). Treating trauma as a diagnosis requires recognition. The difference lies in phrasing: 'I work with people who carry overwhelming experiences in their nervous system' is safe; 'I treat PTSD' is not.