About children
Child psychologists adapt therapy to each age, often using play and drawing, and work closely with parents. Common reasons for consultation include anxiety, fears, behaviour, learning difficulties and family changes. For minors, consent from those with parental responsibility is required.
Educational therapists (psychopedagogues) support children, teenagers and adults with learning difficulties such as dyslexia or attention problems, study techniques and school guidance, in coordination with families and schools.
Getting mental health care in Greenland
Public health system · Greenland's public health service
Health care in Greenland is publicly run, and new treatment options mean more residents are offered free therapeutic treatment. Recruiting psychologists is difficult, so Greenlandic-speaking psychologists living outside Greenland also provide online sessions.
How to check that a professional is licensed
- Psykolognævnet (Danish Board of Psychologists). Greenland has not had its own authorisation scheme for psychologists, and a psychologists bill was debated by the Greenland parliament in 2025. Many psychologists working in Greenland hold Danish authorisation; ask whether the psychologist is authorised.
Online therapy in Greenland
Online sessions with psychologists based outside Greenland are used to support the public service.
Urgent help in Greenland
If your life or someone else's is in danger, call the emergency number now. These services can help at any time:
- 112 · Alarmcentral (112)
Information reviewed in November 2026 · Sources: ina.gl, inatsisartut.gl, inatsisartut.gl
Signs to look out for
Children often show distress through behaviour and the body rather than words. It may be worth consulting a professional when a child has persistent fears or worries, frequent tantrums, sleep or eating changes, regression such as bedwetting again, headaches or stomach aches without a medical cause, withdrawal, school difficulties, or after a difficult event such as a separation, a loss or a move.
What helps: treatments and professionals
Therapy with children usually involves parents closely. Evidence-based approaches include cognitive-behavioural therapy adapted to age, parent training programmes, play-based therapy, family therapy and trauma-focused CBT after difficult experiences. Child and adolescent psychologists, clinical psychologists and family therapists are the main professionals; speech therapists, occupational therapists, educational psychologists or child psychiatrists may be involved depending on needs.
When to seek urgent help
Contact your local emergency services if a child is in danger, has been harmed, may have swallowed something toxic, or talks about wanting to die or hurt themselves, even at a young age. If you suspect abuse or neglect, seek help from child protection services or emergency services. Sudden changes in consciousness, speech or movement need immediate medical attention.
What you can do in the meantime
Keep predictable routines for sleep, meals and play, and limit screens, especially before bed. Spend some unhurried time each day with your child, following their lead in play. Name emotions together and stay calm when they are upset. Explain changes in simple, honest terms appropriate to their age. Look after your own well-being too, since children are sensitive to adult stress.
What does a educational therapist do?
An educational therapist, known in Spanish as a psicopedagogo, helps children, teenagers and adults learn more effectively. Day to day they identify how a person learns, assess difficulties with reading, writing, maths, organisation or study skills, and design practical intervention plans. They work individually with students and coordinate closely with families and schools, adapting materials and strategies to each learner.
When to see a educational therapist
It can help when a student works hard but grades do not reflect it, struggles with reading or writing, finds it hard to organise or plan, needs support after a diagnosis such as dyslexia or ADHD, or is changing school stage. If there are significant emotional or behavioural problems, or a formal psychological diagnosis is needed, an educational or clinical psychologist should be involved.
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 Greenland cover psychological care?
Health care in Greenland is publicly run, and new treatment options mean more residents are offered free therapeutic treatment. Recruiting psychologists is difficult, so Greenlandic-speaking psychologists living outside Greenland also provide online sessions.
How do I check that a educational therapist is licensed in Greenland?
Psykolognævnet (Danish Board of Psychologists): Greenland has not had its own authorisation scheme for psychologists, and a psychologists bill was debated by the Greenland parliament in 2025. Many psychologists working in Greenland hold Danish authorisation; ask whether the psychologist is authorised.
Can I have online therapy in Greenland?
Online sessions with psychologists based outside Greenland are used to support the public service.