About teenagers
Adolescence brings changes in identity, relationships and emotions. Therapy offers a confidential space to talk about anxiety, low mood, self-esteem, relationships or school pressure, with the involvement of the family when appropriate.
Family therapists work with the whole family or several of its members to improve communication, resolve conflicts and go through changes such as separations, losses or a child’s difficulties. They look at relationships rather than at one person alone.
Getting mental health care in Colombia
Public health system · Sistema General de Seguridad Social en Salud (EPS)
Psychology and psychiatry are included in the health benefits plan and accessed through your EPS, usually after a general practitioner referral, with a moderating fee (cuota moderadora).
How to check that a professional is licensed
- Colegio Colombiano de Psicólogos (Colpsic) and ReTHUS. Psychologists are health professionals under Law 1090 of 2006 and need a professional card from Colpsic and registration in ReTHUS; check by name or ID number in the ReTHUS public search.
- Ministerio de Salud (ReTHUS). Psychiatrists must be registered in ReTHUS, which also shows ethical-disciplinary sanctions.
Urgent help in Colombia
If your life or someone else's is in danger, call the emergency number now. These services can help at any time:
- 123 · Línea única de emergencias 123
- 106 · Línea 106 de salud mental
Information reviewed in November 2026 · Sources: newsroom.rcnradio.com
Signs to look out for
Mood swings, wanting more privacy and clashes with parents are part of adolescence. It may be time to seek help when a teenager seems persistently sad, anxious or irritable, withdraws from friends, loses interest in activities, has big changes in sleep or eating, drops in school performance, uses alcohol or drugs, self-harms, or spends most of their time isolated online.
What helps: treatments and professionals
Approaches with good evidence for teenagers include cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), interpersonal therapy for depression, dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) adapted for adolescents when there is self-harm, and family-based therapies. Child and adolescent psychologists, clinical psychologists and family therapists usually lead the work; a child and adolescent psychiatrist may be involved when symptoms are severe or medication is being considered.
When to seek urgent help
Take any talk of suicide or self-harm seriously. If a teenager has a plan, has harmed themselves seriously, has taken an overdose or is in danger, contact your local emergency services or go to the nearest emergency department immediately. Seek urgent help too for signs of severe intoxication, sexual exploitation or online extortion, and do not leave them alone if at risk.
What you can do in the meantime
Keep communication open by listening more than lecturing, and choose relaxed moments, such as car journeys or meals, to talk. Respect their growing independence while keeping clear, agreed limits. Encourage sleep routines, physical activity and time away from screens. Show interest in their friends and activities. If they are reluctant to seek help, offer options and let them have a say in choosing.
What does a family therapist do?
A family therapist works with families as a system, seeing several members together or in different combinations. Day to day they help families improve communication, manage conflict, adapt to changes such as separation, illness, migration or the arrival of a child, and support a member who is struggling. They look at roles, rules and patterns in the relationships rather than blaming one person.
When to see a family therapist
Family therapy makes sense when tension at home is constant, when a child or teenager’s difficulties affect everyone, after a separation or blended-family transition, during a loss or serious illness, or when communication has broken down between generations. If one person has a severe mental health condition, family therapy can complement, not replace, individual treatment. Couple-only problems may suit couples therapy better.
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 Colombia cover psychological care?
Psychology and psychiatry are included in the health benefits plan and accessed through your EPS, usually after a general practitioner referral, with a moderating fee (cuota moderadora).
How do I check that a family therapist is licensed in Colombia?
Colegio Colombiano de Psicólogos (Colpsic) and ReTHUS: Psychologists are health professionals under Law 1090 of 2006 and need a professional card from Colpsic and registration in ReTHUS; check by name or ID number in the ReTHUS public search.