About teenagers
Adolescence brings changes in identity, relationships and emotions. Therapy offers a confidential space to talk about anxiety, low mood, self-esteem, relationships or school pressure, with the involvement of the family when appropriate.
Family therapists work with the whole family or several of its members to improve communication, resolve conflicts and go through changes such as separations, losses or a child’s difficulties. They look at relationships rather than at one person alone.
Getting mental health care in Moldova
Public health system · Community Mental Health Centres (Centre Comunitare de Sănătate Mintală, CCSM) within primary care, funded through mandatory health insurance (CNAM)
Community mental health services are provided by 40 accredited community mental health centres, which operate in every district and municipality as part of primary care institutions. Family doctors screen for mental disorders and refer patients to these centres, which offer psychiatric, psychological and social consultations. Hospital care is provided by three psychiatric hospitals (Chișinău, Bălți and Orhei). Services are financed through the mandatory health insurance fund (CNAM). More information
How to check that a professional is licensed
- National College of Psychologists (Colegiul Național al Psihologilor), set up under Law No. 103/2025. Law No. 103/2025 on the exercise of the psychologist profession makes membership of the National College mandatory for practice, and private psychologists may work only with a certificate issued by the College. The College was still being set up in July 2026. It will keep a single public register of psychologists.
Urgent help in Moldova
If your life or someone else's is in danger, call the emergency number now. These services can help at any time:
- 112 · Emergencias
Information reviewed in November 2026 · Sources: ms.gov.md, logos-pres.md
Signs to look out for
Mood swings, wanting more privacy and clashes with parents are part of adolescence. It may be time to seek help when a teenager seems persistently sad, anxious or irritable, withdraws from friends, loses interest in activities, has big changes in sleep or eating, drops in school performance, uses alcohol or drugs, self-harms, or spends most of their time isolated online.
What helps: treatments and professionals
Approaches with good evidence for teenagers include cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), interpersonal therapy for depression, dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) adapted for adolescents when there is self-harm, and family-based therapies. Child and adolescent psychologists, clinical psychologists and family therapists usually lead the work; a child and adolescent psychiatrist may be involved when symptoms are severe or medication is being considered.
When to seek urgent help
Take any talk of suicide or self-harm seriously. If a teenager has a plan, has harmed themselves seriously, has taken an overdose or is in danger, contact your local emergency services or go to the nearest emergency department immediately. Seek urgent help too for signs of severe intoxication, sexual exploitation or online extortion, and do not leave them alone if at risk.
What you can do in the meantime
Keep communication open by listening more than lecturing, and choose relaxed moments, such as car journeys or meals, to talk. Respect their growing independence while keeping clear, agreed limits. Encourage sleep routines, physical activity and time away from screens. Show interest in their friends and activities. If they are reluctant to seek help, offer options and let them have a say in choosing.
What does a family therapist do?
A family therapist works with families as a system, seeing several members together or in different combinations. Day to day they help families improve communication, manage conflict, adapt to changes such as separation, illness, migration or the arrival of a child, and support a member who is struggling. They look at roles, rules and patterns in the relationships rather than blaming one person.
When to see a family therapist
Family therapy makes sense when tension at home is constant, when a child or teenager’s difficulties affect everyone, after a separation or blended-family transition, during a loss or serious illness, or when communication has broken down between generations. If one person has a severe mental health condition, family therapy can complement, not replace, individual treatment. Couple-only problems may suit couples therapy better.
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 Moldova cover psychological care?
Community mental health services are provided by 40 accredited community mental health centres, which operate in every district and municipality as part of primary care institutions. Family doctors screen for mental disorders and refer patients to these centres, which offer psychiatric, psychological and social consultations. Hospital care is provided by three psychiatric hospitals (Chișinău, Bălți and Orhei). Services are financed through the mandatory health insurance fund (CNAM).
How do I check that a family therapist is licensed in Moldova?
National College of Psychologists (Colegiul Național al Psihologilor), set up under Law No. 103/2025: Law No. 103/2025 on the exercise of the psychologist profession makes membership of the National College mandatory for practice, and private psychologists may work only with a certificate issued by the College. The College was still being set up in July 2026. It will keep a single public register of psychologists.