Legal regulation and protection of the professional title "psychologist" in Luxembourg

Public petition n°3939

Petitioner: Brix Tommy Wilmes Ernster

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This petition calls for the legal regulation of the profession of psychologist in Luxembourg and for the protection of the professional title "psychologist". Its objective is to introduce a mandatory licensing system, define clear minimum qualification requirements, and establish a regulatory and disciplinary framework to ensure the quality of psychological services and to effectively protect patients from abuse.

In Luxembourg, the profession of psychologist is currently not regulated by law. As the professional title "psychologist" is not legally protected, any individual may use it regardless of their education or qualifications. This situation poses a significant risk to individuals experiencing psychological distress, who rely on professionally sound and ethically responsible support. Psychological interventions directly affect individuals' thoughts, emotions, and behavior and can have profound consequences for mental health, personal development, and overall well-being. In the absence of legally defined minimum training and competency standards, there is an increased risk of inappropriate practices, misdiagnoses, emotional or financial abuse, and long-term psychological harm. At present, affected individuals have very limited legal recourse in cases of misconduct, due to the lack of a regulatory framework, binding professional standards, and a competent supervisory or disciplinary authority. This creates a serious protection gap, particularly for vulnerable populations. Legal regulation of the profession would: • ensure the quality of psychological services, • protect patients from unqualified practitioners, • establish clear professional and ethical standards, • enhance transparency and public trust, • and align psychology with other regulated health professions. A minimum requirement for practicing as a psychologist should be the completion of a university degree in psychology lasting at least five years (300 ECTS), in line with standards applied in many European countries. In addition, the establishment of an independent body responsible for professional oversight and the sanctioning of ethical or professional violations is essential. Regulating the entire field of psychological practice is therefore necessary to safeguard public health, ensure high-quality professional care, and protect the legitimate trust of the population in psychological services.