About autism
Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition with differences in communication, social interaction and sensory processing. Professionals can carry out assessments and offer support adapted to each person and family, focused on wellbeing, autonomy and the environment rather than on “fixing” the person.
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 Georgia
Public health system · State Mental Health Programme (Ministry of IDPs from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Affairs)
Specialist psychiatric care is funded through a separate State Mental Health Programme, while the Universal Health Coverage Programme mainly covers primary care with limited mental health coverage. Outpatient, acute and long-term inpatient psychiatric care is free for Georgian citizens, but alcohol-related care carries a sizable co-payment and some common conditions such as anxiety disorders and OCD have not been covered. Community services include outpatient community ambulatories, mobile teams and crisis intervention centres; psychologists are scarce and psychological therapies are limited in practice.
How to check that a professional is licensed
- State certification under the Law of Georgia on Medical Practice (Ministry of Health). A doctor needs a state certificate of independent medical practice in their specialty to practise independently, and certificate holders are recorded in a state certification registry. Under the Law on Psychiatric Care, only a physician holding an appropriate certificate may diagnose a mental disorder.
Urgent help in Georgia
If your life or someone else's is in danger, call the emergency number now. These services can help at any time:
- 112 · Emergency
Information reviewed in November 2026 · Sources: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, matsne.gov.ge, matsne.gov.ge
Signs to look out for
Autism is a lifelong difference in how a person communicates, relates and processes the world, not an illness. Signs that may prompt an assessment include differences in social communication, such as eye contact, conversation or understanding unspoken rules; strong, focused interests; a need for routine; and sensory sensitivities to noise, light or textures. In girls and adults these signs are often less obvious.
What helps: treatments and professionals
Assessment is usually carried out by specialised teams or professionals such as clinical psychologists, neuropsychologists, psychiatrists or paediatricians. Support focuses on the person’s needs and strengths: speech therapy for communication, occupational therapy for sensory and daily-living needs, educational support, and parent-mediated programmes. Psychologists can help with anxiety, emotional regulation and social situations, using approaches adapted to autistic people.
When to seek urgent help
Seek urgent help if an autistic child or adult is at risk of harming themselves or others, goes missing, has a sudden loss of skills, stops eating or drinking, or expresses thoughts of suicide, which can be under-recognised in autistic people. In any situation of risk to life, contact your local emergency services and explain the person’s needs so responders can adapt.
What you can do in the meantime
Predictable routines, visual schedules and advance notice of changes can reduce stress. Pay attention to sensory needs, such as quiet spaces or headphones, and respect the need for recovery time after social activity. Learn about autism from reliable sources, including autistic voices. Connect with family associations or peer groups, and be cautious with programmes that promise to cure autism.
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 Georgia cover psychological care?
Specialist psychiatric care is funded through a separate State Mental Health Programme, while the Universal Health Coverage Programme mainly covers primary care with limited mental health coverage. Outpatient, acute and long-term inpatient psychiatric care is free for Georgian citizens, but alcohol-related care carries a sizable co-payment and some common conditions such as anxiety disorders and OCD have not been covered. Community services include outpatient community ambulatories, mobile teams and crisis intervention centres; psychologists are scarce and psychological therapies are limited in practice.
How do I check that a therapist is licensed in Georgia?
State certification under the Law of Georgia on Medical Practice (Ministry of Health): A doctor needs a state certificate of independent medical practice in their specialty to practise independently, and certificate holders are recorded in a state certification registry. Under the Law on Psychiatric Care, only a physician holding an appropriate certificate may diagnose a mental disorder.