Kuwait Tightens Psychotherapy Rules and Bans Pseudoscience
New regulations require licensed, evidence-based therapy and ban several alternative healing practices.
Kuwait has introduced new rules for psychotherapy in the public and private sectors, and the country has banned several alternative practices that officials say do not have enough scientific proof.
The new framework was issued under Ministerial Decision No. 225 of 2026. It sets stricter rules for psychotherapy licences and professional work, with the goal of protecting patients and making sure psychological treatment follows approved scientific standards.
Reiki, Energy Healing Among Banned Practices
The new regulations stop practitioners from offering or promoting several alternative and spiritual healing methods. These include Reiki, pranic healing, energy healing, spiritual healing, astral projection, cosmic healing, crystal and stone therapy, chakra and aura-based practices, and treatments based on the law of attraction.
The ban also includes neurolinguistic programming, false hypnosis, colour therapy, sound vibration treatments, psychological yoga, and other therapies or techniques that are not backed by scientific evidence.
Life coaching and self-development activities will also need to work within an approved professional licensing system.
Stricter Licensing Requirements
The decision recognises professional titles such as senior psychotherapist, psychotherapist and psychologist. It also introduces separate professional categories for applied behaviour analysis.
Anyone applying for a licence must hold recognised academic qualifications. Foreign degrees will need official equivalency. The rules also require academic training to be completed through regular in-person attendance.
Future practitioners must also complete supervised clinical training and show a set number of face-to-face therapy sessions at licensed healthcare facilities.
The new framework is a major step in Kuwait’s control of psychotherapy, with a stronger focus on evidence-based treatment, professional qualifications and supervised clinical experience.
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AI contributed to the creation of this article.