About children
Child psychologists adapt therapy to each age, often using play and drawing, and work closely with parents. Common reasons for consultation include anxiety, fears, behaviour, learning difficulties and family changes. For minors, consent from those with parental responsibility is required.
Occupational therapists help people gain or recover independence in daily activities after an illness, injury or developmental difficulty: self-care, school, work and leisure. They often work with children with autism or sensory needs and with older adults.
Getting mental health care in Namibia
Public health system · Ministry of Health and Social Services public health services
Specialist public mental health care is concentrated at the Windhoek Mental Health Care Centre, a department of Windhoek Central Hospital with inpatient and outpatient services, and at the Oshakati Psychiatric Unit, which serves the northern regions. The Ministry is working to integrate mental health care into primary health care, but psychiatrists are few.
How to check that a professional is licensed
- Social Work and Psychology Board/Council of Namibia (Health Professions Councils of Namibia, HPCNA). Psychologists and social workers are registered by the Social Work and Psychology Board under the Health Professions Councils of Namibia. Check the practitioner's name and status in the board's e-register. Search the official register
- Medical and Dental Board of Namibia (HPCNA). Doctors are registered with the Medical and Dental Board under the HPCNA. Check the practitioner in the board's e-register. Search the official register
Urgent help in Namibia
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
- 116 · LifeLine/ChildLine Namibia
Information reviewed in November 2026 · Sources: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, hpcna.com, hpcna.com, hpcna.com
Signs to look out for
Children often show distress through behaviour and the body rather than words. It may be worth consulting a professional when a child has persistent fears or worries, frequent tantrums, sleep or eating changes, regression such as bedwetting again, headaches or stomach aches without a medical cause, withdrawal, school difficulties, or after a difficult event such as a separation, a loss or a move.
What helps: treatments and professionals
Therapy with children usually involves parents closely. Evidence-based approaches include cognitive-behavioural therapy adapted to age, parent training programmes, play-based therapy, family therapy and trauma-focused CBT after difficult experiences. Child and adolescent psychologists, clinical psychologists and family therapists are the main professionals; speech therapists, occupational therapists, educational psychologists or child psychiatrists may be involved depending on needs.
When to seek urgent help
Contact your local emergency services if a child is in danger, has been harmed, may have swallowed something toxic, or talks about wanting to die or hurt themselves, even at a young age. If you suspect abuse or neglect, seek help from child protection services or emergency services. Sudden changes in consciousness, speech or movement need immediate medical attention.
What you can do in the meantime
Keep predictable routines for sleep, meals and play, and limit screens, especially before bed. Spend some unhurried time each day with your child, following their lead in play. Name emotions together and stay calm when they are upset. Explain changes in simple, honest terms appropriate to their age. Look after your own well-being too, since children are sensitive to adult stress.
What does a occupational therapist do?
An occupational therapist helps people take part in the everyday activities that matter to them, from washing and dressing to studying, working, socialising or managing a home. Day to day they assess how a physical, mental health, developmental or cognitive condition affects daily life, then work on skills, routines, adaptations and equipment. They see children, adults and older people, often within multidisciplinary teams.
When to see a occupational therapist
Consider an occupational therapist when daily tasks have become difficult after an illness, injury or stroke, when a mental health condition makes routines and work hard to sustain, when a child has sensory, motor or self-care difficulties, or when an older person needs support to stay independent at home. For emotional therapy itself, a psychologist is usually the main professional.
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 Namibia cover psychological care?
Specialist public mental health care is concentrated at the Windhoek Mental Health Care Centre, a department of Windhoek Central Hospital with inpatient and outpatient services, and at the Oshakati Psychiatric Unit, which serves the northern regions. The Ministry is working to integrate mental health care into primary health care, but psychiatrists are few.
How do I check that a occupational therapist is licensed in Namibia?
Social Work and Psychology Board/Council of Namibia (Health Professions Councils of Namibia, HPCNA): Psychologists and social workers are registered by the Social Work and Psychology Board under the Health Professions Councils of Namibia. Check the practitioner's name and status in the board's e-register.