About behavioral problems
Tantrums, defiance or aggressive behaviour that are frequent and intense can strain family life. Interventions usually involve the parents, with practical strategies for routines, limits and communication, and work with the child adapted to their age.
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 Denmark
Public health system · Regional public health insurance (sygesikring) – psykologbehandling med henvisning
People in specified referral groups can get psychologist treatment with a referral from their own GP or the out-of-hours doctor, and can choose freely among private psychologists who have an agreement with the regions. The region pays 60 percent of the fee and the patient pays 40 percent; certain young adults with depression or anxiety pay nothing.
How to check that a professional is licensed
- Danish Patient Safety Authority (Styrelsen for Patientsikkerhed); previously Psykolognævnet. Since 1 January 2026 psychologists are authorised health professionals under the Patient Safety Authority, which took over authorisation and supervision from Psykolognævnet. Check that the psychologist appears in the authorisation register. Search the official register
- Danish Patient Safety Authority (Styrelsen for Patientsikkerhed). Doctors, including psychiatrists, must hold a Danish authorisation, which can be checked in the authorisation register. Search the official register
Insurance and coverage
Only authorised private psychologists with an agreement with the regions can offer the subsidised scheme; without an agreement, or without a qualifying referral, the client pays the full fee.
Urgent help in Denmark
If your life or someone else's is in danger, call the emergency number now. These services can help at any time:
- 112 · Emergencias
- 70 201 201 · Livslinien
- 39 25 25 25 · Psykiatrifondens rådgivning
Information reviewed in November 2026 · Sources: lovguiden.dk, lovguiden.dk, regioner.dk, autregweb.stps.dk
Signs to look out for
All children test limits and have tantrums at times. It may be worth seeking help when defiance, aggression, intense tantrums, lying, breaking rules or destructive behaviour are frequent, last for months, happen in several settings such as home and school, and cause problems with family life, learning or friendships. Sudden changes in behaviour can also signal stress, anxiety or difficulties elsewhere.
What helps: treatments and professionals
Parent training programmes based on behavioural principles have strong evidence for children’s behaviour problems. Family therapy and cognitive-behavioural approaches for the child or teenager, including emotional regulation and problem-solving skills, also help. Child and adolescent psychologists, clinical psychologists, family therapists and educational psychologists usually lead the work. An assessment can identify contributing factors such as ADHD, learning difficulties or anxiety.
When to seek urgent help
Contact your local emergency services if a child or teenager is seriously hurting themselves or others, has a weapon, is missing, or talks about suicide. Seek urgent help too if you suspect drug use with signs of intoxication. If you feel you might lose control and harm your child, step away safely and seek support immediately; asking for help is responsible.
What you can do in the meantime
Notice and praise specific good behaviour, and spend a little one-to-one time each day doing something your child enjoys. Keep rules few, clear and consistent between adults, with calm, predictable consequences. Avoid shouting and physical punishment, which tend to worsen behaviour. Look after your own stress and sleep, and talk to the school to work together.
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 Denmark cover psychological care?
People in specified referral groups can get psychologist treatment with a referral from their own GP or the out-of-hours doctor, and can choose freely among private psychologists who have an agreement with the regions. The region pays 60 percent of the fee and the patient pays 40 percent; certain young adults with depression or anxiety pay nothing.
How do I check that a therapist is licensed in Denmark?
Danish Patient Safety Authority (Styrelsen for Patientsikkerhed); previously Psykolognævnet: Since 1 January 2026 psychologists are authorised health professionals under the Patient Safety Authority, which took over authorisation and supervision from Psykolognævnet. Check that the psychologist appears in the authorisation register.