Obbekjer secures psychologist position in Haugesund amid Norway’s professional shortage

Amalie Obbekjer, a 31-year-old psychologist from Denmark, has secured a job in Haugesund, Norway, due to the country’s demand for professionals with her qualifications. In Norway, newly qualified psychologists receive immediate authorization, while in Denmark, two years of supervised practice is required before one can hold the title of psychologist.

Obbekjer expressed gratitude for her opportunity in Norway, stating, “I feel I have had extreme luck to come here. I have had a very good job that has welcomed me.” She appreciates the strong support framework available to her, including weekly supervision. She is among ten foreign psychologists recruited to Rogaland over the past year, addressing the acute shortage of licensed psychologists in the region.

Currently, Norway has only one psychologist per 10,000 residents in its municipal health and care services, with Rogaland being one of the areas with the lowest coverage. In comparison, there are ten times as many general practitioners in the country. The “Rogalandsmodellen” has prompted other Nav offices to seek similar initiatives.

Nav Rogaland collaborates with several major local employers to provide guidance roles for newly qualified psychologists. While this effort is a step forward, employers indicate that an additional 400 psychologists are still needed to meet the demand.

Liv Sand, head of the social work department at the University of Stavanger, expressed disappointment over the lack of funding in the national budget for a long-planned psychology program. The University requires approximately 6.5 million NOK to start the program, which would eventually lead to a projected annual cost of around 78 million NOK for 288 students over six years. Sand hopes that policymakers will recognize the urgency of addressing the psychologist shortage in Norway and support further funding for education in this critical field.