About older adults
Psychological support for older adults addresses loneliness, grief, adapting to retirement or illness, memory concerns and caring for a partner. Many professionals also offer sessions at home or online.
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 Botswana
Public health system · Ministry of Health and Wellness public health services
Public care is delivered through nurse-run clinics and health posts grouped under doctors, with district and referral hospitals above them. Sbrana Psychiatric Hospital in Lobatse, a 300-bed facility opened in 2009, is the national psychiatric referral hospital. Mental health teams include psychiatrists, medical officers, psychologists, occupational therapists, social workers and psychiatric nurses, but the workforce is overstretched.
How to check that a professional is licensed
- Botswana Health Professions Council (BHPC). Under the Botswana Health Professions Act, no one may practise as a medical practitioner or as a member of an allied health profession, including clinical psychologists, occupational therapists and speech therapists, unless registered in the appropriate BHPC register. Ask for the BHPC certificate of registration.
Urgent help in Botswana
If your life or someone else's is in danger, call the emergency number now. These services can help at any time:
Information reviewed in November 2026 · Sources: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, dataguidance.com
Signs to look out for
Ageing brings changes, but persistent sadness, loss of interest, anxiety, withdrawal or irritability are not an inevitable part of getting older. It may be worth seeking help after losses such as bereavement, retirement or loss of independence, when loneliness is weighing heavily, or when there are noticeable changes in memory, orientation or behaviour that worry the person or their family.
What helps: treatments and professionals
Psychological therapies such as cognitive-behavioural therapy, problem-solving therapy and reminiscence or life-review therapy are effective for older adults with depression or anxiety. Neuropsychologists assess memory concerns and design cognitive stimulation. Psychologists, psychiatrists with experience in older people, occupational therapists and social workers often work together, and family carers can also receive support and guidance.
When to seek urgent help
Sudden confusion, drowsiness, difficulty speaking, weakness on one side or a fall with injury need immediate medical attention: contact your local emergency services. Seek urgent help too if an older person expresses thoughts of suicide, stops eating or drinking, or if you suspect abuse or neglect. Reviewing medication with a doctor is important when behaviour changes.
What you can do in the meantime
Staying connected matters: regular contact with family, friends, neighbours or community groups helps protect mood. Keep routines with daily activity, walks, meals and sleep, and continue hobbies or learn new ones. Check hearing and vision, since difficulties can increase isolation. Carers should also look after themselves and ask for help, as caring can be exhausting.
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 Botswana cover psychological care?
Public care is delivered through nurse-run clinics and health posts grouped under doctors, with district and referral hospitals above them. Sbrana Psychiatric Hospital in Lobatse, a 300-bed facility opened in 2009, is the national psychiatric referral hospital. Mental health teams include psychiatrists, medical officers, psychologists, occupational therapists, social workers and psychiatric nurses, but the workforce is overstretched.
How do I check that a therapist is licensed in Botswana?
Botswana Health Professions Council (BHPC): Under the Botswana Health Professions Act, no one may practise as a medical practitioner or as a member of an allied health profession, including clinical psychologists, occupational therapists and speech therapists, unless registered in the appropriate BHPC register. Ask for the BHPC certificate of registration.