About anxiety
Anxiety becomes a problem when worry, tension or panic are frequent, hard to control and start to limit daily life. Psychological therapy, especially cognitive-behavioural approaches, has strong evidence for anxiety disorders. A first session usually explores what triggers the anxiety, how it shows up in the body and thoughts, and what goals you want to work on.
Therapist is the everyday word for a professional who offers talking therapy: depending on the country it can be a psychologist, a psychotherapist, a licensed counsellor, a marriage and family therapist or a clinical social worker. Profiles show each therapist’s actual title, training and registration.
Getting mental health care in Brazil
Public health system · Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS)
Mental health care in the SUS is free and organised through primary care units (UBS) and Psychosocial Care Centres (CAPS), which can be reached directly or by referral.
How to check that a professional is licensed
- Conselho Federal de Psicologia (CFP) and Regional Councils (CRP). Practising as a psychologist requires active registration with a CRP; check the CRP number in the national register. Search the official register
- Conselho Federal de Medicina (CFM) and Regional Councils (CRM). Psychiatrists are doctors registered with a CRM; the CFM search shows registration and any registered specialty (RQE). Search the official register
Insurance and coverage
Private health plans regulated by ANS must cover psychotherapy and psychiatric consultations within the plan network.
Online therapy in Brazil
Psychologists offering online services must have active CRP registration and be registered on the CFP's e-Psi platform (Resolution CFP 11/2018).
Urgent help in Brazil
If your life or someone else's is in danger, call the emergency number now. These services can help at any time:
- 193 · Corpo de Bombeiros
- 188 · CVV – Centro de Valorização da Vida
Information reviewed in November 2026 · Sources: site.cfp.org.br, sites.usp.br
Signs to look out for
Some anxiety is normal before an exam or a difficult conversation. It becomes worth looking at when worry feels constant and hard to switch off, when you avoid places or situations because of it, or when you notice frequent physical symptoms such as a racing heart, tight chest, dizziness, stomach upset or poor sleep. Sudden waves of intense fear, called panic attacks, are another common sign.
What helps: treatments and professionals
Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) has the strongest evidence for most anxiety problems, often including gradual exposure to feared situations. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and mindfulness-based approaches can also help. Psychologists, clinical psychologists and psychotherapists usually lead treatment. A psychiatrist or family doctor may assess whether medication could be useful alongside therapy, especially when anxiety is severe or long-lasting.
When to seek urgent help
Seek medical help promptly if you have chest pain, shortness of breath or symptoms you have never had before, as these should be checked to rule out a physical cause. If anxiety comes with thoughts of ending your life or harming yourself, contact your local emergency services or go to the nearest emergency department straight away. You do not have to wait for an appointment.
What you can do in the meantime
While you look for support, try to keep regular sleep and meal times, move your body most days, and cut down on caffeine and alcohol, which can worsen anxiety. Slow breathing can help during peaks. Avoiding feared situations brings relief now but tends to make anxiety grow, so small, gradual steps are better. Talk to someone you trust and rely on trustworthy health sources.
What does a therapist do?
A therapist helps you talk through what is worrying you and find practical ways to feel and cope better. In sessions they listen, ask questions, help you notice patterns in your thoughts, emotions and relationships, and agree goals with you. Depending on their training they may use cognitive-behavioural, humanistic, systemic, psychodynamic or other evidence-based approaches, with individuals, couples, families or groups.
When to see a therapist
It makes sense to look for a therapist when stress, anxiety, low mood, grief, relationship problems, a difficult change or the effects of past experiences start to weigh on your daily life, or when you simply want space to understand yourself better. If symptoms are severe, you may need medication or there are signs of a medical cause, involve your doctor or a psychiatrist as well.
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 Brazil cover psychological care?
Mental health care in the SUS is free and organised through primary care units (UBS) and Psychosocial Care Centres (CAPS), which can be reached directly or by referral.
How do I check that a therapist is licensed in Brazil?
Conselho Federal de Psicologia (CFP) and Regional Councils (CRP): Practising as a psychologist requires active registration with a CRP; check the CRP number in the national register.
Can I have online therapy in Brazil?
Psychologists offering online services must have active CRP registration and be registered on the CFP's e-Psi platform (Resolution CFP 11/2018).