About OCD
OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder) involves intrusive thoughts that cause distress and repetitive behaviours or mental rituals to reduce it. Cognitive-behavioural therapy with exposure and response prevention is the first-line psychological treatment.
Psychologists assess and treat emotional, behavioural and relationship difficulties through psychological therapy. They do not prescribe medication. In many countries clinical practice requires a specific qualification and registration with a licensing body, which Therapy247 checks.
Getting mental health care in Andorra
Public health system · Caixa Andorrana de Seguretat Social (CASS)
The CASS funds outpatient psychology and neuropsychology sessions with psychologists who are accredited by the Ministry of Health and have signed an agreement with the CASS, following treatment protocols drawn up by the College of Psychologists. The CASS publishes a yearly list of contracted psychologists. More information
How to check that a professional is licensed
- Col·legi Oficial de Psicòlegs d'Andorra (COPSIA). COPSIA groups psychologists whose degree is recognised in Andorra, and the Ministry of Health consults it when accrediting psychologists and neuropsychologists. Ask for the practitioner's college membership and health ministry accreditation.
Insurance and coverage
Psychology sessions are publicly funded only with a CASS-contracted psychologist under the conditions set by government decree; if you change psychologist during treatment only the remaining sessions are funded.
Urgent help in Andorra
If your life or someone else's is in danger, call the emergency number now. These services can help at any time:
- 116 · Ambulancia (Emergències sanitàries)
Information reviewed in November 2026 · Sources: consellgeneral.ad, cass.ad, alto.ad
Signs to look out for
Many people have occasional intrusive thoughts or like things a certain way. OCD may be involved when unwanted thoughts, images or urges cause intense distress, and you feel driven to perform rituals, such as checking, washing, counting, seeking reassurance or mentally neutralising, to reduce the anxiety. These rituals take a lot of time, feel hard to resist and interfere with daily life.
What helps: treatments and professionals
Cognitive-behavioural therapy with exposure and response prevention (ERP) is the psychological treatment with the strongest evidence for OCD. It involves gradually facing feared thoughts or situations without performing rituals, at a pace agreed with the therapist. Clinical psychologists and psychologists trained in ERP usually lead treatment. A psychiatrist can assess whether medication may help, particularly when symptoms are severe.
When to seek urgent help
Having an intrusive thought about harm does not mean you want to act on it; this is common in OCD. However, if you feel hopeless, have thoughts of ending your life, or rituals prevent you from eating, drinking or caring for yourself, contact your local emergency services or go to the nearest emergency department. Sudden onset of OCD symptoms in a child should be checked by a doctor.
What you can do in the meantime
Learn from reliable sources how OCD works: trying to push thoughts away or seeking reassurance usually makes them stronger. Try to delay a ritual by a few minutes, or shorten it slightly, and notice that anxiety tends to fall on its own. Ask family members to support you without joining in rituals. Look after sleep and stress, which can intensify symptoms.
What does a psychologist do?
A psychologist spends most of the working day talking with people about what worries them and helping them change it. That includes assessing the difficulty, agreeing goals, and using structured psychological techniques in sessions with adults, teenagers, children, couples or families. Between sessions they prepare materials, write notes, and sometimes coordinate with doctors, schools or other professionals, always with your consent.
When to see a psychologist
It makes sense to see a psychologist when anxiety, low mood, stress, relationship problems, a loss or a difficult change start to affect your sleep, work or relationships, or when you simply want to understand yourself better. If symptoms are very severe, you may need medication, or there are signs of a medical cause, a psychiatrist or your doctor should be involved too.
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 Andorra cover psychological care?
The CASS funds outpatient psychology and neuropsychology sessions with psychologists who are accredited by the Ministry of Health and have signed an agreement with the CASS, following treatment protocols drawn up by the College of Psychologists. The CASS publishes a yearly list of contracted psychologists.
How do I check that a psychologist is licensed in Andorra?
Col·legi Oficial de Psicòlegs d'Andorra (COPSIA): COPSIA groups psychologists whose degree is recognised in Andorra, and the Ministry of Health consults it when accrediting psychologists and neuropsychologists. Ask for the practitioner's college membership and health ministry accreditation.