Vienna (OTS) – We are pleased to announce the resolution of the National Council of April 17, 2024 regarding the federal law that enacts the Psychotherapy Act 2024 (PThG 2024) and amends the Music Therapy Act and the Psychologists Act 2013.
Austria, as the cradle of psychotherapy, plays a leading role in the development of psychotherapy science. The profession of psychotherapist has been regulated by law since 1991 and is characterized by an internationally outstanding standard. The academization and redesign will ensure the high quality of psychotherapeutic training, improve psychotherapeutic care and promote psychotherapy research at universities in Austria. As a regular university course, the science and discipline of psychotherapy receives the framework and funding it needs Research and scientific mission needs. 500 study places will be created at public universities. There will also be the opportunity to complete the course within university courses, at private universities and at technical colleges.
The key details of the new training:
Bachelor’s degree – Prerequisite: Matura/university entrance examination
Direct recognition: human medicine, psychology, social work, social pedagogy, psychosocial counseling, music therapy, MTD professions, midwives, advanced health and nursing care.
Recognition of other bachelor’s studies: Examination is carried out by the respective university.
Transitional regulations: From January 1, 2025, no “source occupations” or applications for suitability are necessary. It is possible to start psychotherapy training in accordance with the previous regulations until September 30, 2030 or to complete it by September 30, 2038 (university entrance qualification – preparatory course – specialist specific course).
Master’s degree – Requirement: Bachelor’s degree
Direct recognition: Specialists in psychiatry and psychotherapeutic medicine, specialists in child and adolescent psychiatry and psychotherapeutic medicine, doctors in general medicine with an ÖÄK diploma in psychotherapeutic medicine (PSY I, II and III) or doctors in general medicine or . Specialist with specialization in specialist psychosomatic medicine and ÖÄK diploma in psychotherapeutic medicine (PSY III); Psychotherapists, music therapists, clinical and health psychologists.
Postgraduate section – Prerequisite: Master of Psychotherapy
Practical training in clinics, psychotherapeutic care facilities and teaching practices, cluster-specific theory, personal experience, supervision in a specialist society, completion of the licensing examination.
Another central part of the new law is dedicated to the professional profile and areas of expertise in psychotherapy. Activity protection and reserved areas of activity are clearly described and anchored in it: from medical treatment, including psychotherapeutic diagnostics and assessment, to prevention and health promotion, to advice, care and support for people of all ages and the treatment of patients with serious mental illnesses.
In addition, the new law brings the implementation of a Professional Affairs Committeewhich offers the mandate for long-overdue overall contract negotiations.
With the new law, after many years of effort by the ÖBVP, psychotherapy will now be academicized as the last high-ranking and self-responsible health profession. “As a professional association, we would like to express our sincere thanks to everyone who was involved in the development and implementation of this law. Their hard work, commitment and collaboration contributed to this important step.” Barbara Haid, President ÖBVP
Questions & Contact:
Austrian Federal Association for Psychotherapy
Mag.a Claudia Pokorny
public relation
+43.676.369 46 85
oebvp.humble@psychotherapie.at
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