About bullying
Bullying at school or online can cause anxiety, isolation, low mood and school refusal. Psychological support helps the child or teenager and the family, and professionals can coordinate with the school. If there is immediate risk, involve the school and, if needed, the authorities.
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 Iceland
Public health system · Primary health centres (heilsugæsla) and Sjúkratryggingar Íslands (Icelandic Health Insurance)
Primary health centres offer psychological services, and adults can get subsidised sessions with a psychologist contracted to Icelandic Health Insurance with a referral from a health centre (up to 12 sessions; children up to 10). Psychiatric care is provided at Landspítali and by private psychiatrists. More information
How to check that a professional is licensed
- Directorate of Health (Embætti landlæknis). Psychologist is a licensed health profession: using the title and practising requires a licence from the Directorate of Health. Search the official register
- Directorate of Health (Embætti landlæknis). Psychiatrists need a medical licence and a specialist licence in psychiatry from the Directorate of Health.
Insurance and coverage
Icelandic Health Insurance subsidises sessions only with contracted psychologists and with a valid referral (from a health centre for adults; a health centre or diagnostic team for children), up to 12 sessions for adults and 10 for children.
Urgent help in Iceland
If your life or someone else's is in danger, call the emergency number now. These services can help at any time:
- 112 · Emergencias
- 1717 · Hjálparsími Rauða krossins 1717
- 1799 · Píeta – hjálparsími
Information reviewed in November 2026 · Sources: island.is, island.is, island.is
Signs to look out for
Bullying is repeated, intentional harm by others, whether physical, verbal, social exclusion or online. Signs in a child or teenager may include not wanting to go to school, unexplained injuries or damaged belongings, changes in mood or sleep, headaches or stomach aches, dropping grades, losing friends, or becoming anxious after using their phone. Many young people do not tell adults straight away.
What helps: treatments and professionals
Effective responses combine action at school, with whole-school anti-bullying programmes and clear protocols, and emotional support for the young person. Psychologists, child and adolescent psychologists and educational psychologists can help with anxiety, low mood, self-esteem and social skills, often using cognitive-behavioural approaches. Family guidance helps parents respond calmly. Support may also be offered to those who bully.
When to seek urgent help
Contact your local emergency services if a child or teenager has been seriously assaulted, is being threatened with violence, or expresses thoughts of suicide or self-harm, which should always be taken seriously. Seek urgent help too when there is sexual harassment, extortion or sharing of intimate images online, and keep evidence such as screenshots.
What you can do in the meantime
Listen calmly, believe the young person and tell them it is not their fault. Avoid confronting the other child or family directly; instead, document what happened and contact the school to agree on a plan. Help them stay connected to friends and activities outside school. Review privacy settings together for online bullying, and keep checking in regularly.
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 Iceland cover psychological care?
Primary health centres offer psychological services, and adults can get subsidised sessions with a psychologist contracted to Icelandic Health Insurance with a referral from a health centre (up to 12 sessions; children up to 10). Psychiatric care is provided at Landspítali and by private psychiatrists.
How do I check that a educational therapist is licensed in Iceland?
Directorate of Health (Embætti landlæknis): Psychologist is a licensed health profession: using the title and practising requires a licence from the Directorate of Health.