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.
Psychologists assess and treat emotional, behavioural and relationship difficulties through psychological therapy. They do not prescribe medication. In many countries clinical practice requires a specific qualification and registration with a licensing body, which Therapy247 checks.
Getting mental health care in Myanmar (Burma)
Public health system · Ministry of Health public hospitals
Mental health care is provided mainly through two psychiatric hospitals (Yangon and Mandalay), psychiatric wards of general hospitals and a small number of outpatient facilities. The system is highly centralised, with very little integration into primary care and no community approach.
How to check that a professional is licensed
- Myanmar Medical Council. All medical practitioners must be registered with the Myanmar Medical Council and hold a practising licence; fully registered doctors can apply for a specialist licence. Ask for the practising and specialist licence.
Urgent help in Myanmar (Burma)
If your life or someone else's is in danger, call the emergency number now. These services can help at any time:
- 192 · Ambulance
Information reviewed in November 2026 · Sources: who.int, en.wikipedia.org, myanmarmedicalcouncil.org.mm
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 psychologist do?
A psychologist spends most of the working day talking with people about what worries them and helping them change it. That includes assessing the difficulty, agreeing goals, and using structured psychological techniques in sessions with adults, teenagers, children, couples or families. Between sessions they prepare materials, write notes, and sometimes coordinate with doctors, schools or other professionals, always with your consent.
When to see a psychologist
It makes sense to see a psychologist when anxiety, low mood, stress, relationship problems, a loss or a difficult change start to affect your sleep, work or relationships, or when you simply want to understand yourself better. If symptoms are very severe, you may need medication, or there are signs of a medical cause, a psychiatrist or your doctor should be involved too.
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 Myanmar (Burma) cover psychological care?
Mental health care is provided mainly through two psychiatric hospitals (Yangon and Mandalay), psychiatric wards of general hospitals and a small number of outpatient facilities. The system is highly centralised, with very little integration into primary care and no community approach.
How do I check that a psychologist is licensed in Myanmar (Burma)?
Myanmar Medical Council: All medical practitioners must be registered with the Myanmar Medical Council and hold a practising licence; fully registered doctors can apply for a specialist licence. Ask for the practising and specialist licence.