About insomnia
Chronic insomnia means difficulty falling or staying asleep several nights a week for months. Cognitive-behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is the recommended first treatment and works on habits, schedules and the thoughts that keep sleeplessness going.
Psychotherapists are professionals trained in one or more models of psychotherapy (psychodynamic, systemic, humanistic, cognitive-behavioural…). The protected title and requirements vary by country; profiles show each professional’s training and registration.
Getting mental health care in Albania
Public health system · Public health service: family doctors, Community Mental Health Centres and psychiatric hospitals, covered by the Compulsory Health Insurance Fund
Family doctors provide first-line mental health care and refer patients to Community Mental Health Centres (about 10 nationwide) or to inpatient psychiatric units in Tirana, Shkodër, Elbasan and Vlorë. Patients who follow the referral system can use secondary services free of charge, and listed psychotropic medicines are reimbursed. Psychologists work in some public mental health centres, but their numbers are small. More information
How to check that a professional is licensed
- Order of Psychologists of Albania (Urdhri i Psikologut). Under Law No. 40/2016, every psychologist practising in Albania must be registered with the Order and hold a licence, which is renewed in five-year cycles. Check the psychologist's name in the Order's public register. Search the official register
- Order of Physicians of Albania (Urdhri i Mjekëve). Under Law No. 123/2014, the Order of Physicians grants and withdraws individual licences to practise medicine and keeps the register of its members. Ask the psychiatrist for their Order licence.
Insurance and coverage
The Compulsory Health Insurance Fund covers referred mental health services and reimbursable psychotropic medicines. Medicines not on the reimbursement list are paid out of pocket.
Urgent help in Albania
If your life or someone else's is in danger, call the emergency number now. These services can help at any time:
- 127 · Ambulancia (Urgjenca)
Information reviewed in November 2026 · Sources: gov.uk, urdhriipsikologut.al, regjistri.urdhriipsikologut.al, qsut.gov.al
Signs to look out for
Everyone sleeps badly sometimes, especially during stress. Insomnia may need attention when you regularly struggle to fall asleep, wake up often or very early and cannot get back to sleep, or wake unrefreshed, for several weeks, and it affects your mood, concentration, energy or safety during the day. Worrying about sleep itself often becomes part of the problem.
What helps: treatments and professionals
Cognitive-behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is recommended as a first-line treatment for chronic insomnia. It includes sleep scheduling, stimulus control, work on unhelpful beliefs about sleep and relaxation techniques. Psychologists and clinical psychologists trained in CBT-I usually provide it, individually, in groups or through guided digital programmes. A doctor should rule out physical causes and other sleep disorders.
When to seek urgent help
Seek prompt medical attention if you stop breathing or gasp during sleep, fall asleep while driving or in dangerous situations, or go several nights with almost no sleep alongside unusual energy, racing thoughts or confusion. If lack of sleep comes with hopelessness or thoughts of harming yourself, contact your local emergency services or go to the nearest emergency department.
What you can do in the meantime
Keep a regular wake-up time every day, including weekends, and only go to bed when you feel sleepy. If you cannot sleep after a while, get up and do something calm in dim light until you feel drowsy. Limit caffeine after midday, alcohol and heavy meals at night. Reduce screens before bed and get daylight and movement during the day.
What does a psychotherapist do?
A psychotherapist helps people understand and change emotional, relational and behavioural patterns through a structured therapeutic relationship. Their work is shaped by one or more models, such as cognitive-behavioural, psychodynamic, systemic, humanistic or integrative therapy. They meet individuals, couples, families or groups, usually in regular sessions, and spend time outside sessions on notes, preparation and their own supervision.
When to see a psychotherapist
Psychotherapy suits people who want to work in depth on recurring difficulties: anxiety, low mood, relationship patterns, self-esteem, the effects of past experiences or major life transitions. It can also help when you feel stuck without a clear diagnosis. If you need a formal diagnosis, a specific psychological assessment or medication, a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist may need to be involved.
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 Albania cover psychological care?
Family doctors provide first-line mental health care and refer patients to Community Mental Health Centres (about 10 nationwide) or to inpatient psychiatric units in Tirana, Shkodër, Elbasan and Vlorë. Patients who follow the referral system can use secondary services free of charge, and listed psychotropic medicines are reimbursed. Psychologists work in some public mental health centres, but their numbers are small.
How do I check that a psychotherapist is licensed in Albania?
Order of Psychologists of Albania (Urdhri i Psikologut): Under Law No. 40/2016, every psychologist practising in Albania must be registered with the Order and hold a licence, which is renewed in five-year cycles. Check the psychologist's name in the Order's public register.