Accessing therapists and mental health services in Belgium

Belgium has a well-developed mental healthcare system, with services ranging from independent psychologists to hospital-based psychiatric care. You don’t need a referral to access mental health support, which gives expats more freedom to choose their provider.

However, public sector treatment waiting lists for certain conditions can be very long. This guide explains how mental health services work in Belgium, what’s covered by insurance, and where to turn for specialized or English-speaking support.

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How does mental healthcare work in Belgium?

Mental health services in Belgium are integrated within the country’s public and private healthcare system. Moreover, responsibility for public mental health services is shared between the state and the different regions. These include the Dutch-speaking region of Flanders and French-speaking Wallonia. The capital, Brussels, also has its own system.

The federal government finances psychiatric hospitals and wards and runs a few dedicated mental healthcare projects. Each region provides:

• Psychiatric, psychological and psychotherapeutic consultations through mental healthcare centers and consultation platforms
• Specialized treatment for a range of mental health conditions through psychiatric hospitals and psychiatric wards in general hospitals
• Preventative and educational programs

Since wait times and spaces are limited in public-funded mental health services, private therapists and psychiatrists are also popular choices in Belgium, especially among expats.

Finally, the country has a variety of nonprofit organizations focused on mental health that exist to support those who cannot wait for public services or afford to go private.

How to access mental health services in Belgium

In Belgium, you can make an appointment with a mental healthcare professional directly. You do not need a referral from your GP/family doctor for this. However, it can be helpful to first consult your GP, in case the condition relates to your physical health or you might be going on medication as part of your treatment.

Only your GP or a psychiatrist can prescribe medication, such as sleeping pills or antidepressants. If you’re dealing with addiction or a specific disorder, they can also refer you to a clinical psychologist for specialized support.

For an immediate ear, you can always call the 24/7 Community Help Service (CHS) helpline, which offers free English-language support. CHS also has its own mental health services center where you can access a range of psychotherapies in English and several other languages. Additionally, you can find information on region-specific mental health services in Belgium on the following sites:

• Departement Zorg (Flanders)
• Commission Communautaire Française (Brussels)

Insurance for mental healthcare in Belgium

If you are living and working in Belgium, you must register with a public health insurance fund (mutualité/ziekenfonds). This is a mandatory part of the national healthcare system and gives you access to subsidized mental health services.

Public health insurance covers a range of psychological and psychiatric care. Adults aged 15 and over can be reimbursed for up to eight individual or group sessions per year for general psychological support, and up to 20 sessions for more specialized treatment provided within the primary care network.

To qualify, you must see a mental health professional who is affiliated with one of Belgium’s recognized care networks. Session costs are partially reimbursed, with patients typically paying a co-payment of €11 per individual session, or €4 for those with increased allowance status. Group sessions are also available at a reduced rate.

Children and young people up to 23 years old benefit from enhanced mental healthcare access. They can receive up to 10 sessions of psychological support and up to 20 sessions of treatment per year, with no out-of-pocket costs for most services provided through the official care networks.

To extend your coverage or gain access to private providers not affiliated with the public system, you can take out private health insurance. This type of coverage can help with co-payments, consultations with independent psychologists or psychiatrists, and services that fall outside of the public network.

Expats may also consider international health insurance, which provides coverage both in Belgium and abroad. Major providers include:

• Allianz Care
• Business & Expats Health Insurance
• Cigna Global

If you are in Belgium for a temporary stay or have recently moved here, you may not have access to local insurance. However, if you are an EU/EEA or Swiss citizen, you can still access the public healthcare system using your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).

Finding psychiatrists and therapists in Belgium

Finding a therapist or psychiatrist you are comfortable with is crucial when seeking mental health support. Often, this comfort is strongly linked to the language you prefer speaking in.

The Belgian Commission of Psychologists website provides a search function to find a registered psychologist in your area who can offer consultations in your preferred language. You can also find and make an appointment with an English-speaking therapist through Psychologist-Belgium.

When searching for a psychologist or therapist directly, make sure they are registered with the Belgian Commission of Psychologists or are members of the Belgian Association for Psychotherapists. You can also check the qualification and affiliation of your healthcare professional on the website of the National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance.

Belgian therapy costs and waiting times

In Belgium, the cost of therapy depends on whether the therapist is part of the public health insurance system or operates privately. Private therapists typically charge between €70 and €80 for a 45–60-minute session.

These rates can vary slightly based on location and the therapist’s qualifications. In contrast, therapists who are affiliated with the public healthcare system charge significantly less, with patients paying a co-payment of €11 per individual session, or €4 for those with increased allowance status.

Waiting times also vary depending on the type of service. Accessing care through the public system often involves delays, with average waiting times of around six weeks for a first appointment at mental health centers in Flanders.

For children and adolescents, the wait can be slightly longer. Private therapists generally offer shorter waiting times, although availability may still be limited in some areas due to high demand.

Addiction services in Belgium

If you are considering reducing your drug or alcohol consumption, your GP is the best point of contact. Your GP can assess your case and provide a referral for appropriate outpatient or inpatient care. The Belgian public healthcare system has specialized rehabilitation centers across the country.

Costs of consultation and care will be partly reimbursed by public health insurance. You should be aware though that hospitalization costs related to this treatment are not covered in your basic public health fund membership. You will need to get an additional insurance package to cover these costs.

Waiting times at public rehabilitation centers can be a month or longer. By contrast, private rehabilitation centers may provide faster support. Regardless, this is an expensive option if you don’t have adequate coverage through private health insurance.

Helplines and support groups for addiction

If you have to wait a while to begin treatment, there are several helplines and support groups you can contact in the meantime:

• Narcotics Anonymous Belgium – Helpline for people experiencing problems with drug or alcohol addiction with three numbers you can call (Antwerp: +32 478 62 62 62, Brussels & South region: +32 476 64 30 54, Namur: +32 488 70 65 75)
• DrugLijn – Belgian helpline (+32 78 15 10 20) for alcohol and drug problems also offering support in English
• Alcoholics Anonymous Continental European Region – English-speaking support group that organizes online as well as in-person meetings in Brussels
• Alcoholhulp/Aide-Alcool – Dutch/French websites offering online self-help and guidance for alcohol addiction

Services dealing with eating disorders in Belgium

Public health services for eating disorders in Belgium can be accessed following a referral from your GP/family doctor. Treatment for these disorders is complex and usually takes time. It involves a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals addressing both physical and psychological aspects.

In addition to seeking professional help for eating disorders, you can also contact the following support groups:

• ANBN – Belgian self-help organization for people with eating disorders
• Overeaters Anonymous – International support group that offers weekly meetings in English in Brussels and in Dutch and French in several Belgian cities

Though children and young adults get greater reimbursements for public healthcare services, waiting times for some treatment clinics are between three and six months in Belgium.

Services for severe symptoms and long-term conditions

If you’re suffering from a severe or long-term mental health condition, you will likely need to consult a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist. This includes conditions such as severe anxiety, depression, chronic conditions or personality disorders, PTSD, and others. You can approach your GP for a referral or go directly to a mental healthcare center.

Psychiatric care is usually provided by multidisciplinary teams of psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers. Services include therapy and counseling, daycare, residential care as well as sheltered housing.

Consultations with clinical psychologists and psychiatrists are almost entirely covered by public health insurance, provided you consult a specialist affiliated with the public health insurance system. Additionally, here are some support groups for people with chronic conditions:

• Ups & Downs for people with bipolar disorder or severe depression
• ADHD – ASC – Dyslexia Family Resources Belgium (AFRB) for people with ADHD and conditions such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, dyspraxia and Asperger’s syndrome

Mental healthcare for children and young people in Belgium

Children and young people in Belgium (up to age 23) can access mental health support through the public health insurance system without a GP’s referral. If your child is struggling with emotional, behavioral, or psychological issues, you can contact a local mental health network directly to arrange support.

Belgium has 11 regional networks that specialize in youth mental health. These networks bring together psychologists, psychiatrists, care institutions, and other professionals to offer services ranging from short-term therapy and crisis intervention to long-term treatment. They also offer specialized programs for children with complex needs, including intellectual disabilities and psychological disorders.

As of 2025, sessions provided through these networks are largely free of charge. Young people can receive up to 10 individual or group sessions per year for basic psychological support, and up to 20 sessions for more in-depth care. The first consultation and many group programs are fully covered, so there’s often no out-of-pocket cost at all.

To get started, find the network responsible for your province or region (such as Brussels, Antwerp, or Liège) and contact them directly. They can guide you through the registration process and connect you with an appropriate mental health professional based on your child’s needs.

If you’re unsure where to begin, your family doctor, school, or local social services can also help direct you to the right network.

Mental healthcare services for specific groups in Belgium

People with disabilities as well as senior citizens who need special support or long-term care have access to several benefits in Belgium. The following agencies provide assisted living as well as psychosocial support to people with disabilities:

• The Flemish Agency for Persons with Disabilities (VAPH)
• Personne Handicapée Autonomie Recherchée (PHARE)

In general, mental health services for older people have the shortest waiting times. By contrast, waiting lists for mental health services are the longest for people with disabilities and for children and adolescents.

Belgium also has special care centers and helplines for victims of sexual abuse and assault. These are known as Zorgcentrum na Seksueel Geweld (ZSG) in Dutch and Centre de Prise en Charge des Violences Sexuelles (CPVS) in French. These centers are located in hospitals in different Belgian cities and offer immediate medical and psychological care.

Other helplines offering information, counseling, and emotional support to specific groups in Belgium are:

• S.O.S VIOL and Helpline 1712 for victims of sexual abuse and assault
• Samusocial for people who are homeless

Emergency psychological support and crisis lines in Belgium

In case of a life-threatening emergency, you can always call 112. This is a pan-European number, from where you will be redirected to the appropriate service for your situation.

Here are some 24/7 helplines you can call for immediate psychological support:

• Community Help Service (CHS) – English-language helpline for people experiencing emotional problems of any kind (call 02 648 40 14)
• Narcotics Anonymous Belgium – Helpline for people experiencing problems with alcohol or drug use (call any of these three numbers 0478 62 62 62, 0476 64 30 54, 0488 70 65 75)
• DrugLijn – Dutch-language helpline for alcohol and drug problems, also offering support in English (call 078 15 10 20)
• Zelfmoord1813 – Suicide prevention hotline (call 1813 or get help online)
• Tele Onthaal – 24/7 support line for Dutch speakers in Belgium experiencing emotional problems of any kind (call 106 or get help online)
• Télé-Accueil Bruxelles – 24/7 support line for French speakers in Belgium experiencing emotional problems of any kind (call 107 or get help online)

Useful resources

• Community Health Service (CHS) – Voluntary organization running a helpline and mental health services center for the international community in Belgium
• Te Gek (in Dutch) – Flanders-based organization that provides information and runs campaigns to reduce stigma and increase awareness about mental health
• RIZIV(in Dutch)/INAMI (in French) – Website of the National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance providing information on the Belgian public healthcare system, including reimbursements for mental healthcare services
• FPS Public Health, Food Chain Safety, and Environment – Website of the Belgian federal public service that provides information on health and safety services and standards, including those for mental healthcare
• Commission of Psychologists – Government agency responsible for the registration of psychologists in Belgium and for monitoring the quality of services they provide