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.
Psychotherapists are professionals trained in one or more models of psychotherapy (psychodynamic, systemic, humanistic, cognitive-behavioural…). The protected title and requirements vary by country; profiles show each professional’s training and registration.
Getting mental health care in Iraq
Public health system · Ministry of Health public health services
Public mental health care is run by the Ministry of Health, whose 2015 National Mental Health Strategy aims to integrate mental health into primary health care with a community-based approach. WHO and the ministry train non-specialist staff in primary health care centres to identify and manage common mental disorders (mhGAP). Specialist inpatient care is concentrated in a few psychiatric hospitals in Baghdad (Ibn Rushd and Al-Rashad) and psychiatric units in general hospitals, and there is a recognised shortage of psychiatrists. More information
How to check that a professional is licensed
- Iraqi Medical Association (Doctors' Syndicate, Niqabat al-Atibba). Doctors, including psychiatrists, are registered with the Iraqi Medical Association. Ask the psychiatrist for their syndicate registration.
Urgent help in Iraq
If your life or someone else's is in danger, call the emergency number now. These services can help at any time:
- 122 · Ambulance
Information reviewed in November 2026 · Sources: emro.who.int, emro.who.int, odihpn.org, shafaq.com
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 psychotherapist do?
A psychotherapist helps people understand and change emotional, relational and behavioural patterns through a structured therapeutic relationship. Their work is shaped by one or more models, such as cognitive-behavioural, psychodynamic, systemic, humanistic or integrative therapy. They meet individuals, couples, families or groups, usually in regular sessions, and spend time outside sessions on notes, preparation and their own supervision.
When to see a psychotherapist
Psychotherapy suits people who want to work in depth on recurring difficulties: anxiety, low mood, relationship patterns, self-esteem, the effects of past experiences or major life transitions. It can also help when you feel stuck without a clear diagnosis. If you need a formal diagnosis, a specific psychological assessment or medication, a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist may need to be involved.
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 Iraq cover psychological care?
Public mental health care is run by the Ministry of Health, whose 2015 National Mental Health Strategy aims to integrate mental health into primary health care with a community-based approach. WHO and the ministry train non-specialist staff in primary health care centres to identify and manage common mental disorders (mhGAP). Specialist inpatient care is concentrated in a few psychiatric hospitals in Baghdad (Ibn Rushd and Al-Rashad) and psychiatric units in general hospitals, and there is a recognised shortage of psychiatrists.
How do I check that a psychotherapist is licensed in Iraq?
Iraqi Medical Association (Doctors' Syndicate, Niqabat al-Atibba): Doctors, including psychiatrists, are registered with the Iraqi Medical Association. Ask the psychiatrist for their syndicate registration.