Relocating to a new country is very exciting, but also not an easy decision. The weather, culture, and job hunting can all make you feel like you’re starting from scratch. For these reasons, some internationals find themselves looking for additional support, such as mental health services. This can bring many questions. How do I find a therapist here? Do I need a referral? Can I afford private mental health care?
Last Week In Denmark has created a guide to answer these questions. We’ll break down how internationals can access psychological support, explore your options for treatment and explore the experiences of other internationals.
Understanding the Types of Mental Health Support
Before diving into personal stories, it is helpful to understand the mental health system in Denmark. Denmark offers a universal healthcare system, primarily funded through taxes, which includes mental health services. Support is available through two main routes: the public system, via your GP (the practitioner named on your yellow card) and the private sector.
The Public System (via GP Referral and Psychiatric Services)
In Denmark, all residents have a yellow card for Denmark’s public health system. Mental health services can be accessed through a general practitioner (GP) referral. This is usually the first step for accessing mental health care, and your general practitioner will help guide you through the process. However, there are some challenges to this.
Long Waiting Times: While the care is free, it may have waiting times that range from several weeks to months, particularly for psychological therapy or psychiatric evaluations.
Cultural and Language Gaps: While most GPs speak English, not all mental health professionals do. Languages other than English present an additional challenge.
Typically, a referral from your GP may lead you to a psychologist or psychiatrist. Psychiatrists in Denmark often deal with more severe cases requiring medication, while psychologists focus on therapeutic support.
The Private Sector (Licensed Psychologists, Therapists, and Coaches)
The Private Sector offers shorter waiting times, but it also has higher costs, which not everyone can afford. Services here are provided by licensed professionals such as psychologists, psychotherapists, and life coaches. These professionals may have a larger range of specializations, such as trauma therapy, couples therapy, or career coaching.
Faster Access: The private sector generally provides shorter waiting times and more personalized care.
Higher Costs: Sessions in the private sector can be expensive, typically ranging between DKK 700-1,500 per session. However, some private therapists offer online consultations, which can be more convenient and cheaper, especially for internationals.Â
Language Options: Many therapists in the private sector offer services in English or other languages, making it more accessible for those who may not speak Danish at all.
If you are looking for some help, first of all you should understand the system and you should know what you are dealing with.Â
- If you’re facing low to moderate mental health concerns, starting with a private psychologist or therapist could be a good option if you can afford it.
- If you are dealing with more severe conditions or prefer a cost-effective route, the public system may be the best way to go, despite longer waiting times.
The challenges of getting support as an international: A Newcomer’s Experience
She moved to Denmark from Slovakia and began experiencing mental health challenges. She did what felt logical to her: she went to the emergency psychiatric department. She didn’t know that Denmark typically routes non-acute mental health concerns, like anxiety or depression, through general practitioners (GPs) first. She had no idea that you could go to a GP for antidepressants or mental health support, since in Slovakia, emergency hospitals are not the only option, so she just thought that’s how it works in Denmark.Â
But that decision led to unexpected results. Emergency psychiatric services in Denmark are primarily designed to handle intense conditions such as suicidal ideation or psychosis. Because of this, her symptoms were interpreted as more severe than they were, resulting in a misdiagnosis that has been difficult to change in her medical records.
She adds that her anxiety and depression in the beginning were interpreted as something much more serious because the “Emergency Psychiatric Services” expects their patients to have something “severe.”
Her advice to other newcomers is clear: start with your general practitioner first: “That’s the step I missed. They can prescribe medication and refer you to specialists. I just wish I had known that sooner.”
She also warns that, while referrals are available, waiting lists for therapy can be long, and English-speaking therapists are limited in the public system. She hopes her story helps others make more informed decisions: “If I had known how the system worked, I would have done things differently. I’m sharing this so others don’t have to go through the same confusion.”
Last Week in Denmark talked with Cristina Montoro, an authorized psychologist and psychotherapist working in Copenhagen. The mental health system in Denmark can be confusing, especially for newcomers, she says: “It’s like a jungle at first,”.
Her first piece of advice? Start with your general practitioner (GP), also known as the family doctor, whose contact is listed on your yellow CPR card.
Step-by-step process from her advice.Â
1- Call your GP and explain your symptoms (stress, anxiety, depression, etc.).
2- Your GP will make a preliminary diagnosis and refer you for further treatment.
You can then choose between:
- The public system (free or subsidized but often has long waiting lists).
- The private system (faster access, partially reimbursed with insurance).
“If you’re diagnosed with more complex conditions — like ADHD, OCD, or psychosis — your GP may refer you directly to a psychiatrist. Psychiatrists handle medication, while psychologists offer therapy.”
Cristina also notes an important distinction: psychologists in Denmark do not prescribe medication. Only psychiatrists and, in some cases, GPs (with basic training in mental health) are authorized to do so.
Therapy or Medication? Or Both?
Cristina warns against the growing tendency for some GPs to prescribe medication without pairing it with therapy. “This can be dangerous. Medication may relieve symptoms temporarily, but without working through the emotional root causes, nothing changes. A combined approach is best,” she explains. “I’ve seen patients who’ve only taken medication and felt worse over time.”
She points out that some doctors are more cautious, preferring to avoid medication unless necessary and encouraging psychotherapy first.
One extra crucial tip Cristina shares with all her clients: Get private health insurance!
Most major Danish insurance companies (like Falk, Danmark, or Nordea) offer health packages that cover: Psychologists, Physiotherapists, Acupuncture, and Other specialists. However, it’s important to note that insurance typically covers only services provided by authorized psychologists, ensuring the quality of the service. If you plan to use insurance, make sure the therapist you see is authorized.
While the public system offers some support, Cristina says private therapy is more flexible and tailored. “If you’re committed to a long-term process and want more continuity and personal care, private therapy is the way to go,” she advises.
When making a decision between public vs. private therapy, Cristina advises people to focus on what truly matters: The human being behind the professional.
“At the end of the day, whether your therapist is public or private, it’s the personal connection that counts. It’s about how seen, safe, and supported you feel.”
We also spoke with Enrico Cappelleto, a clinical psychologist based in Copenhagen. Enrico has been working with internationals for some years to help them navigate Denmark’s mental health services.Â
Enrico sheds light on the challenges faced by internationals, the nuances of Denmark’s mental health system, and offers practical advice for anyone seeking psychological support in the country.
Referrals and Common Misunderstandings
“One of the most frequent issues I encounter,” Enrico explains, “is that people come to me with a referral from their doctor and think that they can access therapy for free. But it’s not that simple.”
Enrico highlights the confusion many internationals face when navigating Denmark’s mental health system. To clarify, he shares the three primary types of psychological support available:
Private Psychologists (Self-funded or Insurance-covered): These psychologists work independently. Clients pay out-of-pocket or through private insurance. Many internationals wrongly assume that a GP referral covers these sessions.
Authorized Psychologists (With Public Subsidy): These psychologists are approved by the Danish Health Authority to provide subsidized sessions. Patients may receive partial insurance reimbursement, but the service is not fully free.
Public Psychologists (Fully State-Covered): These are fully covered by the state, but require a GP referral and have long waiting lists (3–6 months). Services are usually in Danish, and treatment is limited to 10 sessions.
Language Barriers and GP Limitations
Another point Enrico shares is language and communication gaps with general practitioners (GPs). “Some GPs use a quick form to check for depression or anxiety and hand out medications right away,” he says. “Others refer patients to psychiatrists, but the wait time for psychiatry can be up to a year.”
For internationals, this can be especially disorienting. “The system isn’t always explained clearly, and most of the official information is only in Danish,” he adds. Many patients feel lost in translation, both literally and metaphorically.
Enrico also emphasizes an important distinction in the Danish system: The use of protected professional titles.
- “Psychologist” is a protected title. To legally call oneself a psychologist in Denmark, professionals must be approved by the Danish Patient Safety Authority (Styrelsen for Patientsikkerhed) after providing official education and credentials.
- “Psychotherapist”, however, is not protected. “Anyone can claim to be a psychotherapist and open a clinic,” he says. This leads to confusion among clients who may not realize that someone offering therapy might not have formal psychological training.
Financial Accessibility & Solutions
While private therapy can be expensive, especially without insurance, Enrico points out that many Danish employers offer pension or health funds that can cover therapy costs. Unfortunately, many foreigners are unaware of this benefit.
Additionally, he mentions a new law passed that will provide free access to private psychologists for individuals under 25 years old—a step toward more inclusive mental health access. How this will function in practice remains to be seen.
Services & Community Support in English
We also asked about the availability of mental health resources and community support in Copenhagen. “There are a few resources available,” he explains, “but community support in English is not as widespread as it should be.”Â
Some available services include:
1- The Red Cross in Copenhagen offers free mental health counseling every Wednesday
2- A weekly English-language meeting on Facebook that covers various mental health topics.
But aside from those,” he continues, “there isn’t much else. The system needs to improve community support in English.“
While Enrico doesn’t offer specific therapy groups, he uses his own cross-cultural experience to guide clients through minority stress and cultural adjustment. “I know how stressful it can be to navigate a new system as a foreigner,” he says, drawing on his understanding of the challenges his clients face.
For newcomers or internationals struggling with mental health in Denmark, Enrico offers this advice:
- Clarify your referral – Ask your GP exactly what kind of psychologist they’re referring you to and whether it’s covered by the public system.
- Check your insurance or pension fund – You might already have access to partially or fully covered therapy sessions.
- Verify credentials – Make sure your therapist is authorized if they are using the title “psychologist.”
- Be prepared for delays – For free public services, waiting lists are long, so consider alternatives in the meantime.
- Seek English-speaking support – There are a few, but a growing number of mental health services in English.
As my final thought for this article, since I am also an international here in Denmark, I believe we should know what we are looking for and what kind of support we need. We should not take action without doing our research. That is why we are writing these articles — to create a path for our readers. Hopefully, anyone looking for mental health support can use this advice and follow the right path. As Last Week in Denmark, we would like to thank everyone who shared their valuable contributions for this article.
Need Support?
If you’re looking for mental health support in Denmark, you can reach out to:
- Enrico Cappelleto, psychologist, website
- Cristina Montoro, authorized psychologist and psychotherapist, website
Last Week in Denmark has not received any payment from professionals quoted in this interview. Service providers are listed for information only and are not intended as recommendations.
