About trauma
After a traumatic experience it is common to have intrusive memories, nightmares, hypervigilance or to avoid reminders. When these persist, trauma-focused therapies such as EMDR or trauma-focused CBT can help. Look for a professional with specific training in trauma.
Psychoanalysts work with psychoanalytic or psychodynamic therapy, which explores how past experiences and unconscious patterns shape present feelings and relationships. It is usually a longer, in-depth process. Training and titles vary by country: check each professional’s background.
Getting mental health care in Cape Verde
Public health system · Serviço Nacional de Saúde (SNS)
Specialist psychiatric care in the public Serviço Nacional de Saúde is mainly provided at the Trindade unit of the Hospital Universitário Agostinho Neto in Praia, the national reference service, and patients are usually referred there. Health centres have psychologists and social workers, and psychiatrists visit some primary care sites. Mental health in primary care is still limited.
How to check that a professional is licensed
- Ordem dos Psicólogos de Cabo Verde (OPCV). The Ordem dos Psicólogos de Cabo Verde was created by Lei n.º 128/IX/2021 as the professional body for psychologists. Ask a psychologist for their OPCV membership. No public online register was found.
Urgent help in Cape Verde
If your life or someone else's is in danger, call the emergency number now. These services can help at any time:
- 130 · Ambulância
Information reviewed in November 2026 · Sources: scielo.br, afro.who.int, boe.incv.cv
Signs to look out for
After a frightening or overwhelming event, it is normal to feel shaken for a while. It is worth seeking help when, weeks later, you still have intrusive memories or nightmares, feel constantly on guard, startle easily, avoid anything that reminds you of what happened, feel numb or disconnected, or notice that it is affecting your sleep, relationships or work. Trauma can also stem from repeated experiences in childhood.
What helps: treatments and professionals
Trauma-focused therapies have strong evidence, especially trauma-focused cognitive-behavioural therapy (TF-CBT), cognitive processing therapy, prolonged exposure and EMDR. Psychologists, clinical psychologists and psychotherapists with specific trauma training are the main professionals. For complex trauma, therapy often starts by building safety and emotional regulation. A psychiatrist can assess whether medication may help with symptoms such as sleep problems or severe anxiety.
When to seek urgent help
If you are in danger now, or the person who harmed you is still a threat, contact your local emergency services. Seek urgent help too if you have thoughts of ending your life or harming yourself, or if you feel completely disconnected from reality. After a physical or sexual assault, medical care is important even if there are no visible injuries.
What you can do in the meantime
Be patient with yourself: your reactions are a response to something abnormal. Try to keep simple routines, sleep and meals, and spend time with people who make you feel safe. Grounding techniques, such as noticing what you can see and hear around you, can help when memories intrude. Avoid using alcohol or drugs to numb feelings, and choose when and with whom you share your story.
What does a psychoanalyst do?
A psychoanalyst works with people who want to explore how early experiences, desires, conflicts and unconscious patterns influence how they feel, relate and choose today. Day to day they listen closely, help connect present difficulties with personal history, and pay attention to dreams, repetitions and the relationship with the analyst. Sessions are usually frequent and the process tends to be long-term.
When to see a psychoanalyst
Psychoanalysis or psychodynamic therapy may suit you if you notice repeating patterns in relationships, a persistent sense of emptiness or dissatisfaction, or want to understand yourself in depth and are open to a longer process. If you need quick relief for a specific symptom, such as panic attacks or a phobia, a structured approach like CBT may be more appropriate first.
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 Cape Verde cover psychological care?
Specialist psychiatric care in the public Serviço Nacional de Saúde is mainly provided at the Trindade unit of the Hospital Universitário Agostinho Neto in Praia, the national reference service, and patients are usually referred there. Health centres have psychologists and social workers, and psychiatrists visit some primary care sites. Mental health in primary care is still limited.
How do I check that a psychoanalyst is licensed in Cape Verde?
Ordem dos Psicólogos de Cabo Verde (OPCV): The Ordem dos Psicólogos de Cabo Verde was created by Lei n.º 128/IX/2021 as the professional body for psychologists. Ask a psychologist for their OPCV membership. No public online register was found.