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 Lesotho
Public health system · Ministry of Health public health facilities and Mohlomi Mental Hospital
Mohlomi Mental Hospital in Maseru is the country's referral psychiatric institution for complex cases, and its outpatient services mainly treat depression and anxiety. Government officials state that mental health services are available free of charge through public health facilities. The sector is underfunded and short of specialised mental health professionals, and there is no modern psychiatric hospital or rehabilitation centre. More information
How to check that a professional is licensed
- Lesotho Medical, Dental and Pharmacy Council (LMDPC). Under the Medical, Dental and Pharmacy Order 1970, doctors must be registered with the Council, and practising without registration is an offence. The Council also receives complaints about misconduct or negligence by its registrants.
Urgent help in Lesotho
If your life or someone else's is in danger, call the emergency number now. These services can help at any time:
- 112 · Emergency services (police, ambulance, fire)
Information reviewed in November 2026 · Sources: lena.gov.ls, extranet.who.int, thereporter.co.ls
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 Lesotho cover psychological care?
Mohlomi Mental Hospital in Maseru is the country's referral psychiatric institution for complex cases, and its outpatient services mainly treat depression and anxiety. Government officials state that mental health services are available free of charge through public health facilities. The sector is underfunded and short of specialised mental health professionals, and there is no modern psychiatric hospital or rehabilitation centre.
How do I check that a psychotherapist is licensed in Lesotho?
Lesotho Medical, Dental and Pharmacy Council (LMDPC): Under the Medical, Dental and Pharmacy Order 1970, doctors must be registered with the Council, and practising without registration is an offence. The Council also receives complaints about misconduct or negligence by its registrants.