About family therapy
Family therapy works with several members together to improve communication, resolve conflicts and support everyone through changes such as separations, illness or adolescence.
Forensic psychologists apply psychology to legal matters: expert reports for courts, custody and family proceedings, assessment of damages or credibility, and support for victims. Ask about their experience as an expert witness in your country.
Getting mental health care in Belgium
Public health system · INAMI/RIZIV first-line psychological care via mental health networks
Psychologists and orthopedagogues affiliated with a mental health network contracted with INAMI provide reimbursed first-line care without a prescription. Up to age 23 sessions are free; adults pay nothing for the first session and then 11 euros per individual session (4 euros with increased reimbursement), with up to 8 support sessions or on average 8 (max 20) treatment sessions per 12 months. More information
How to check that a professional is licensed
- Psychologists' Commission (Psychologencommissie / Commission des Psychologues, Compsy). The title psychologist is protected and every psychologist must be registered with Compsy; clinical psychologists additionally need a federal visa and regional recognition. The official list shows whether registration is active for the current year. Search the official register
Insurance and coverage
Sessions with psychologists outside the INAMI convention are not reimbursed by compulsory health insurance.
Urgent help in Belgium
If your life or someone else's is in danger, call the emergency number now. These services can help at any time:
Information reviewed in November 2026 · Sources: inami.fgov.be, test-achats.be
Signs to look out for
Every family goes through tension. Family therapy may help when conflict is constant or very intense, communication has broken down, a child’s difficulties are straining everyone, members feel stuck in the same patterns, or the family is struggling to adapt to a change such as a separation, a new partner, illness, migration, a loss or a child leaving home.
What helps: treatments and professionals
Systemic family therapy looks at relationships and patterns rather than blaming one person. Approaches with evidence include structural and strategic family therapy, family-based treatment for adolescent eating disorders, multisystemic and functional family therapy for behaviour problems, and parent training. Family therapists, psychologists and social workers with systemic training usually lead the work, sometimes alongside individual therapy.
When to seek urgent help
If there is violence at home, a child or adult is being harmed, or someone is afraid for their safety, contact your local emergency services or specialised protection services. Safety comes before family therapy. Seek urgent help too if any family member talks about suicide, has harmed themselves seriously, or is at risk of harming others.
What you can do in the meantime
Set aside calm times to talk, and try to listen to understand rather than to reply. Agree on a few household rules together and keep them consistent. Avoid involving children in adult conflicts. Make room for enjoyable shared moments, even short ones. If tensions run high, take breaks before continuing a discussion. Each person looking after their own well-being also helps the family.
What does a forensic psychologist do?
A forensic psychologist applies psychology to legal questions. Day to day they carry out expert assessments and write reports for courts, lawyers or individuals: for example on child custody, the psychological impact of an event, capacity, credibility issues or risk. Some also work in prisons, victim support or rehabilitation programmes. They may be asked to explain their findings at trial.
When to see a forensic psychologist
You may need a forensic psychologist when a legal process requires an independent psychological assessment: custody or visitation disputes, claims for psychological harm after an accident or assault, workplace harassment cases, or questions about a person’s capacity. If what you need is emotional support during a legal process, a therapist is more suitable, since forensic assessment is evaluative, not therapeutic.
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 Belgium cover psychological care?
Psychologists and orthopedagogues affiliated with a mental health network contracted with INAMI provide reimbursed first-line care without a prescription. Up to age 23 sessions are free; adults pay nothing for the first session and then 11 euros per individual session (4 euros with increased reimbursement), with up to 8 support sessions or on average 8 (max 20) treatment sessions per 12 months.
How do I check that a forensic psychologist is licensed in Belgium?
Psychologists' Commission (Psychologencommissie / Commission des Psychologues, Compsy): The title psychologist is protected and every psychologist must be registered with Compsy; clinical psychologists additionally need a federal visa and regional recognition. The official list shows whether registration is active for the current year.