About addiction
Addictions to substances or behaviours such as gambling, gaming or the internet involve loss of control and continuing despite harm. Treatment usually combines psychological therapy, relapse prevention and, in some cases, medical care. Professionals with experience in addictions can coordinate with specialised services.
Therapist is the everyday word for a professional who offers talking therapy: depending on the country it can be a psychologist, a psychotherapist, a licensed counsellor, a marriage and family therapist or a clinical social worker. Profiles show each therapist’s actual title, training and registration.
Getting mental health care in Austria
Public health system · Soziale Krankenversicherung (ÖGK, BVAEB, SVS)
Psychotherapy is covered either fully through contracted places (Psychotherapie auf Krankenschein) or via a partial reimbursement when you see a non-contracted therapist; fully funded places are scarce. Since 2026 the ÖGK also covers clinical-psychological treatment as a benefit in kind, organised through the psyhelp service point. More information
How to check that a professional is licensed
- Federal Ministry of Health, Psychotherapeutenliste (Psychotherapiegesetz 2024). Practising psychotherapy in Austria requires entry in the ministry's public list of psychotherapists. Check that the person appears in the list and note their registered method. Search the official register
- Federal Ministry of Health, lists of clinical psychologists and health psychologists (Psychologengesetz 2013). Clinical psychologists and health psychologists must be entered in the ministry's professional lists; working without registration is an administrative offence. Insurance reimbursement requires the psychologist to be on the ministry list.
Insurance and coverage
Statutory health insurance pays for psychotherapy through contracted providers or a partial reimbursement for non-contracted ones, and for clinical-psychological treatment if the psychologist is on the ministry list.
Urgent help in Austria
If your life or someone else's is in danger, call the emergency number now. These services can help at any time:
- 112 · Emergencias
- 142 · TelefonSeelsorge – Notruf 142
Information reviewed in November 2026 · Sources: oesterreich.gv.at, psychotherapie.ehealth.gv.at, usp.gv.at, usp.gv.at
Signs to look out for
An addiction may be developing when you find it hard to control how much or how often you use a substance or engage in a behaviour such as gambling, gaming, shopping or online use; when you keep going despite problems with health, money, work or relationships; when you need more to get the same effect; or when you feel restless or unwell when you stop.
What helps: treatments and professionals
Effective approaches include cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, relapse-prevention programmes, contingency management and, for young people, family-based therapy. Psychologists and clinical psychologists with addiction experience, psychiatrists and specialised addiction services usually work together. For some substances, medically supervised treatment is needed. Mutual-help groups can complement professional care for many people.
When to seek urgent help
Contact your local emergency services immediately in case of a suspected overdose, loss of consciousness, difficulty breathing, seizures, chest pain or confusion. Seek urgent help too if there are thoughts of suicide or harming others. Stopping some substances suddenly after heavy use can be dangerous, so talk to a doctor before quitting.
What you can do in the meantime
Be honest with yourself about how often and why you use, and notice the situations, emotions and people that trigger it. Tell someone you trust and consider removing easy access, such as blocking betting apps or limiting cash. Fill your time with activities that do not involve the substance or behaviour. Lapses can happen; they are a signal to seek support, not a failure.
What does a therapist do?
A therapist helps you talk through what is worrying you and find practical ways to feel and cope better. In sessions they listen, ask questions, help you notice patterns in your thoughts, emotions and relationships, and agree goals with you. Depending on their training they may use cognitive-behavioural, humanistic, systemic, psychodynamic or other evidence-based approaches, with individuals, couples, families or groups.
When to see a therapist
It makes sense to look for a therapist when stress, anxiety, low mood, grief, relationship problems, a difficult change or the effects of past experiences start to weigh on your daily life, or when you simply want space to understand yourself better. If symptoms are severe, you may need medication or there are signs of a medical cause, involve your doctor or a psychiatrist as well.
How to choose
When choosing, check the licence and training, the approach they use and whether they have experience with what you need. Consider practical aspects too: language, price, location or online sessions and availability. The relationship with the professional matters a great deal; if after a few sessions it does not feel right, it is fine to change.
Frequently asked questions
Does the public health system in Austria cover psychological care?
Psychotherapy is covered either fully through contracted places (Psychotherapie auf Krankenschein) or via a partial reimbursement when you see a non-contracted therapist; fully funded places are scarce. Since 2026 the ÖGK also covers clinical-psychological treatment as a benefit in kind, organised through the psyhelp service point.
How do I check that a therapist is licensed in Austria?
Federal Ministry of Health, Psychotherapeutenliste (Psychotherapiegesetz 2024): Practising psychotherapy in Austria requires entry in the ministry's public list of psychotherapists. Check that the person appears in the list and note their registered method.