About family therapy
Family therapy works with several members together to improve communication, resolve conflicts and support everyone through changes such as separations, illness or adolescence.
Social psychologists study and intervene in how groups, communities and social context influence behaviour: coexistence, discrimination, community programmes and group processes in organisations.
Getting mental health care in Fiji
Public health system · Ministry of Health and Medical Services
Public mental health care is provided by St Giles Hospital in Suva, the country's only psychiatric hospital, together with a Community Mental Health Team and stress management wards in divisional hospitals. Specialist capacity is very limited.
How to check that a professional is licensed
- No statutory regulator (Fiji Psychological Society, professional body). Psychologists are not yet registered by law; recognition and registration were still being discussed in 2023. Ask about qualifications and professional membership.
- Fiji Medical and Dental Council. Psychiatrists are doctors who must be registered and licensed by the Fiji Medical Council.
Urgent help in Fiji
If your life or someone else's is in danger, call the emergency number now. These services can help at any time:
- 911 · Emergency (911)
- 5626 · Empower Pacific 24/7 Counselling Helpline
Information reviewed in November 2026 · Sources: fijivillage.com, rnz.co.nz
Signs to look out for
Every family goes through tension. Family therapy may help when conflict is constant or very intense, communication has broken down, a child’s difficulties are straining everyone, members feel stuck in the same patterns, or the family is struggling to adapt to a change such as a separation, a new partner, illness, migration, a loss or a child leaving home.
What helps: treatments and professionals
Systemic family therapy looks at relationships and patterns rather than blaming one person. Approaches with evidence include structural and strategic family therapy, family-based treatment for adolescent eating disorders, multisystemic and functional family therapy for behaviour problems, and parent training. Family therapists, psychologists and social workers with systemic training usually lead the work, sometimes alongside individual therapy.
When to seek urgent help
If there is violence at home, a child or adult is being harmed, or someone is afraid for their safety, contact your local emergency services or specialised protection services. Safety comes before family therapy. Seek urgent help too if any family member talks about suicide, has harmed themselves seriously, or is at risk of harming others.
What you can do in the meantime
Set aside calm times to talk, and try to listen to understand rather than to reply. Agree on a few household rules together and keep them consistent. Avoid involving children in adult conflicts. Make room for enjoyable shared moments, even short ones. If tensions run high, take breaks before continuing a discussion. Each person looking after their own well-being also helps the family.
What does a social psychologist do?
A social psychologist studies how other people, groups and social context shape our thoughts, feelings and behaviour. In applied practice they work on topics such as prejudice, group conflict, community well-being, health behaviour, social inclusion and organisational culture. They design and evaluate programmes, facilitate groups, train teams and advise organisations, schools, local services or community projects.
When to see a social psychologist
A social psychologist can help a school, company, association or community facing group conflict, discrimination, low participation or the need to design a prevention or awareness programme. They are also useful for mediation and group facilitation. If what you need is personal therapy for anxiety, low mood or relationship problems, a psychologist or clinical psychologist is usually the right choice.
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 Fiji cover psychological care?
Public mental health care is provided by St Giles Hospital in Suva, the country's only psychiatric hospital, together with a Community Mental Health Team and stress management wards in divisional hospitals. Specialist capacity is very limited.
How do I check that a social psychologist is licensed in Fiji?
No statutory regulator (Fiji Psychological Society, professional body): Psychologists are not yet registered by law; recognition and registration were still being discussed in 2023. Ask about qualifications and professional membership.