Enable application-oriented training in psychotherapy at universities of applied sciences in the interests of security of supply!

The universities of applied sciences were very surprised to note that in the current government bill on the Psychotherapy Act, universities of applied sciences were removed from the list of institutions offering psychotherapy after they had given their approval. This is causing great irritation. After all, it is clear that every additional study programme represents a gain for the security of supply of psychotherapeutic services for the Austrian population. Especially in regions that do not have a university, it is essential and necessary to anchor psychotherapy programmes at universities of applied sciences.

Universities of applied sciences offer programmes such as music therapy, social work and the entire field of health sciences, whose graduates have the prerequisites for psychotherapy training with recognition of their degree. Against this background, it is politically incomprehensible why these people have to leave their university and possibly their federal state in order to complete the training.

The coronavirus pandemic has led to a high demand for psychotherapy services, especially among children and adolescents. There is an urgent need to create services in every federal state. After all, people's mental health should not depend on whether or not there is a university on site," says Ulrike Prommer, President of the Austrian University of Applied Sciences Conference (FHK).

Referring to the review process, Prommer explains: "In the run-up to the government bill, the FHK held talks with all ministries involved. The Professional Association of Psychotherapists has supported the concerns of the universities of applied sciences and the federal states have also called for an offer at universities of applied sciences. It is therefore completely incomprehensible why the universities of applied sciences were removed from the draft agreed during the review process as providers of psychotherapy programmes."

The FHK therefore urgently appeals to Federal Minister Rauch to reinstate the universities of applied sciences in the current legislative proposal in order to provide a nationwide supply of psychotherapists.