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.
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 French Polynesia
Public health system · Centre Hospitalier de la Polynésie française (CHPF) – psychiatry
French Polynesia runs its own health system. Public psychiatric care is provided by the adult psychiatry and child psychiatry services of the Centre Hospitalier de la Polynésie française in Pirae, Tahiti. More information
How to check that a professional is licensed
- Agence de régulation de l'action sanitaire et sociale (ARASS). Psychologists must register their diploma with the ARASS before they start practising in French Polynesia.
- ARASS and the Ordre des médecins. Doctors must register their diploma with the ARASS and the Tribunal de première instance de Papeete, and must be enrolled with the medical order. Specialties must be recognised by the order.
- Agence de régulation de l'action sanitaire et sociale (ARASS). Speech therapists (orthophonistes) and occupational therapists (ergothérapeutes) must register their diploma with the ARASS to practise.
Urgent help in French Polynesia
If your life or someone else's is in danger, call the emergency number now. These services can help at any time:
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Information reviewed in November 2026 · Sources: chpf.pf, service-public.pf
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 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 French Polynesia cover psychological care?
French Polynesia runs its own health system. Public psychiatric care is provided by the adult psychiatry and child psychiatry services of the Centre Hospitalier de la Polynésie française in Pirae, Tahiti.
How do I check that a educational therapist is licensed in French Polynesia?
Agence de régulation de l'action sanitaire et sociale (ARASS): Psychologists must register their diploma with the ARASS before they start practising in French Polynesia.