Requirements for Opening a Psychological Counseling and Psychologist Clinic 2026
The requirements for opening a psychologist clinic were most recently updated with regulations that took effect in 2025. With these regulations, the requirements for opening a Clinical Psychologist practice, as well as the requirements for opening a Psychological Counseling Center, were redefined from scratch. As a result, the boundaries were redrawn for individuals who will provide services in the field of health and psychology.
The requirements for opening a psychology clinic concern different types of centers, but are fundamentally a matter regulated by the Ministry of Health. This is because individuals providing services for human health and psychology work in a field that, like other healthcare branches, must be carried out with sensitivity. As a result, the requirements and cost of opening a psychology clinic are frequently researched.
Psychology Clinic Opening Requirements and Other Details
With the most recent regulations, which took effect on August 15, 2025, the requirements for opening a psychology clinic — including obtaining a license, physical requirements, and other conditions — were determined. It is essential for individuals opening a clinic for the first time to proceed in line with these details. Otherwise, clinics are shut down following inspections carried out by the Ministry of Health.
1. What Are the Requirements for Opening a Psychology Clinic for Clinical Psychologists?
The professional groups that provide services in the field of psychology and are considered experts in this area are as follows:
- Clinical psychologists (Master's degree graduates)
- Psychologists (Bachelor's degree graduates)
- Psychological Counselors (Bachelor's degree graduates)
Although all of these professional groups provide services in the field of psychology, only Clinical Psychologists have the opportunity to open a "therapy clinic." The other professional groups can only work alongside Clinical Psychologists in an "employee" status.
Under the rules currently in effect, the clinic opening requirements for Clinical Psychologists have become official. Accordingly, up to a maximum of 3 Clinical Psychologists can come together to open a space. The requirements for opening a psychologist clinic do not apply to a group of more than three people.
2. What Are the Requirements for Opening a Psychologist Clinic?
Psychologists do not have the option of opening a psychology clinic on their own. Psychologists with a bachelor's degree may only provide counseling services in the field of psychology. With the latest regulation, they can work as "Allied Health Personnel" at a licensed, Ministry of Health–approved location where a Clinical Psychologist is present.
3. What Are the Clinic Opening Requirements for Psychological Counselors?
The requirements for opening a psychology clinic are similarly structured for Psychological Counselors. Like psychologists, Psychological Counselors cannot provide "therapy," but may provide psychological counseling. Again, they can only be present at clinics in the status of "Allied Health Personnel" or "other employee."
4. What Are the Requirements for Opening a Family and Psychological Counseling Center?
The requirements for opening a psychology clinic are reviewed and approved by the Provincial and District Health Directorates affiliated with the Ministry of Health. However, the requirements for opening a Family and Psychological Counseling Center are somewhat different. Only individuals who hold a Family Counseling certificate approved by the Ministry of National Education (MEB) or the relevant Ministry can obtain a work license. For this reason, approval from the Ministry of Family Affairs is also required.
Although the process differs somewhat compared to the requirements for opening a psychology clinic, it is generally similar overall. Conditions such as inspection by the relevant ministries, specialty knowledge, and diplomas will again apply.
Documents Required to Open a Clinical Psychologist Office
For Clinical Psychologists who can provide both in-person and remote healthcare services, the requirements for opening a psychology clinic first arise through document requirements. The documents required to open a psychologist clinic can be classified as follows:
- Bachelor's degree (Psychology, Guidance and Psychological Counseling) or Master's degree diplomas. A certified true copy of the original is requested.
- The specialist's criminal record certificate. This must be obtained through the e-Government (e-devlet) system.
- A photocopy of the national ID card and 3–4 passport-style photographs.
- A lease agreement or title deed for the premises to be used.
- A building permit document, i.e., an occupancy report.
- A clinic/practice fire safety report. Compliance of the workplace with the clinic/practice fire safety regulation must be demonstrated.
- A room floor plan related to the interior of the workplace. The floor plan must show, as certified by an architect, the working area, restroom, and waiting areas.
- The e-tax plate obtained after tax registration.
- SGK (Social Security Institution) employment registration documents for the person or people who will work alongside the specialist.
- An official application petition.
Under normal circumstances, other healthcare workers are also required to submit an earthquake resistance report or a medical waste agreement. However, these two reports are not among the requirements for opening a psychologist clinic.
What Are the Physical Requirements for Opening a Psychology Clinic?
Within the scope of the Clinical Psychologist clinic opening requirements, the details of the physical characteristics have also been determined. Accordingly, the areas where counseling will be provided must meet certain standards. The physical requirements for opening a psychology clinic have been determined as follows:
- The therapy room must be at least 10 square meters. The room must have adequate ventilation, lighting, and exit points.
- There must be a handwashing sink in the area where therapy will be conducted.
- The workplace may have a maximum of 2 treatment rooms. If more specialists will be working there, a partnership must be formed.
- Waiting areas are also required for clients. The area where individuals waiting for therapy will be located must be at least 8 square meters.
- Restrooms must be connected to the waiting room and arranged to be suitable for use by individuals with disabilities.
- Particularly for clinics located on upper floors, access by stairs and elevator must be suitable at all locations. In addition, emergency exit doors must be present in the event of situations such as fire.
- A fire extinguisher or fire alarm must be present in the area.
- Doors, such as restroom doors, must be able to open outward. Doors that open inward are not approved. Sliding doors are also considered acceptable.
Clinical Psychologist Workplace Opening License and Details
Under the requirements for opening a psychologist clinic, a workplace opening license — i.e., a tax plate — will need to be obtained. Applications for tax registration are made to the Revenue Administration. Professionals are processed under the status of "self-employed professional." The stages are as follows:
- An application is made to the Tax Office to open the workplace. Occupation codes such as "psychological counseling" or "psychotherapy services" can be selected.
- Once the applications are finalized, an e-tax plate must be obtained. Printed copies of the plate must be displayed at the workplace.
- The use of e-ledger (e-defter) and e-invoice (e-fatura) records is mandatory.
- If there will be insured staff at the workplace (a secretary or other healthcare personnel), SGK registration must be created.
What Is the Cost of Opening a Psychologist Clinic in 2026?
Specialists frequently research the question, "How much money is needed to open a clinic?" It is quite difficult to give a clear answer to this. This is because factors such as rental costs and title deed fees vary from person to person.
On the other hand, there are also factors within the requirements for opening a psychology clinic that can vary arbitrarily. Clinic/practice consumable supplies, online examination software, and decorative details will change the pricing. For this reason, it will be necessary to create a personal expense table in order to arrive at a clear cost.
Advantages of the Dr2connect Online Patient Tracking Program for Psychologists
Under a clinic management program, specialists will need an online patient tracking program. Since this helps specialists maintain their appointment and client tracking, it can actually be considered among the examples of psychology clinic opening requirements. So what are the advantages of the Dr2connect patient tracking program?
- Clients' appointment schedules can be tracked. Weekly or daily session openings can be identified.
- Therapy intensity can be determined based on age ranges, and client data can be extracted.
- Clinic/practice consumable supplies can be tracked.
- It can be seen which therapies are in higher demand.
- Client/therapy continuity can be monitored.
- The income-expense balance within accounting can be monitored.
If you would also like to benefit from these advantages and reduce your clinic opening cost with a free patient tracking program, get in touch right away.
Frequently Asked Questions
We have summarized the frequently asked questions and answers about the requirements and cost of opening a private clinical psychologist workplace for you.
1. What Is a Patient Tracking Program?
A patient tracking program is software built on a cloud system by Dr2connect. Thanks to this healthcare software, appointment requests, workload, income and expenses, and the use of clinic supplies can be tracked.
2. Who Is the Online Patient Tracking System Suitable For?
It can be preferred especially by Psychologists, Clinical Psychologists, and Psychological Counselors, as well as dietitians who track clients and specialist doctors who track patients. It can be used by any branch that has a private clinic and takes on patients.
3. What Is the Cost of the Patient Tracking Program for Psychologists?
Dr2connect stands out by offering a free patient tracking program. The data security, data storage, and statistical tracking you need have been brought together for you. Moreover, all of these features are offered to you free of charge, for life.