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.
Educational therapists (psychopedagogues) support children, teenagers and adults with learning difficulties such as dyslexia or attention problems, study techniques and school guidance, in coordination with families and schools.
Getting mental health care in North Macedonia
Public health system · Public health system (Ministry of Health and Health Insurance Fund): community mental health centres and hospital psychiatry
Public mental health care is delivered through community mental health centres and hospital-based psychiatric services, with referral between primary, secondary and tertiary care. The national strategy for 2018-2025 aimed to decentralise care and reduce reliance on psychiatric hospitals. According to WHO Mental Health Atlas 2020 data, insurance fully covers mental health services and psychotropic medicines. More information
How to check that a professional is licensed
- Chamber of Psychologists of North Macedonia (Комора на психолози). Only psychologists who hold a general and/or special licence issued by the Chamber may provide psychological services. A general licence requires a year of practice, a professional exam and entry in the Register of Psychologists, and a special licence requires additional specialised training. The Chamber publishes a list of licensed psychologists. Search the official register
- Doctors' Chamber of Macedonia (Лекарска комора на Македонија). The Chamber issues doctors' working licences and publishes a register of doctors and a list of doctors with valid licences. Search the official register
Insurance and coverage
According to WHO Mental Health Atlas 2020 data, insurance fully covers mental health services and psychotropic medicines in the public system.
Urgent help in North Macedonia
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: who.int, borgenproject.org, komoranapsiholozi.mk, lkm.org.mk
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 educational therapist do?
An educational therapist, known in Spanish as a psicopedagogo, helps children, teenagers and adults learn more effectively. Day to day they identify how a person learns, assess difficulties with reading, writing, maths, organisation or study skills, and design practical intervention plans. They work individually with students and coordinate closely with families and schools, adapting materials and strategies to each learner.
When to see a educational therapist
It can help when a student works hard but grades do not reflect it, struggles with reading or writing, finds it hard to organise or plan, needs support after a diagnosis such as dyslexia or ADHD, or is changing school stage. If there are significant emotional or behavioural problems, or a formal psychological diagnosis is needed, an educational or clinical psychologist should 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 North Macedonia cover psychological care?
Public mental health care is delivered through community mental health centres and hospital-based psychiatric services, with referral between primary, secondary and tertiary care. The national strategy for 2018-2025 aimed to decentralise care and reduce reliance on psychiatric hospitals. According to WHO Mental Health Atlas 2020 data, insurance fully covers mental health services and psychotropic medicines.
How do I check that a educational therapist is licensed in North Macedonia?
Chamber of Psychologists of North Macedonia (Комора на психолози): Only psychologists who hold a general and/or special licence issued by the Chamber may provide psychological services. A general licence requires a year of practice, a professional exam and entry in the Register of Psychologists, and a special licence requires additional specialised training. The Chamber publishes a list of licensed psychologists.