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.
Psychotherapists are professionals trained in one or more models of psychotherapy (psychodynamic, systemic, humanistic, cognitive-behavioural…). The protected title and requirements vary by country; profiles show each professional’s training and registration.
Getting mental health care in Portugal
Public health system · Serviço Nacional de Saúde (SNS)
Psychologists work in SNS primary care centres (centros de saúde) and hospitals, accessed through the family doctor. Waiting times are long: the Ordem dos Psicólogos reported waits of about six months for a first psychology appointment. University students can obtain free sessions through the government cheque-psicólogo programme.
How to check that a professional is licensed
- Ordem dos Psicólogos Portugueses (OPP). Registration with the OPP is a legal requirement to practise psychology, privately or in the SNS. Search by name or cédula number in the OPP member search. Search the official register
- Ordem dos Médicos. Doctors, including psychiatrists, must be registered with the Ordem dos Médicos. Search the official register
Urgent help in Portugal
If your life or someone else's is in danger, call the emergency number now. These services can help at any time:
Information reviewed in November 2026 · Sources: ordemdospsicologos.pt, dn.pt
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 psychotherapist do?
A psychotherapist helps people understand and change emotional, relational and behavioural patterns through a structured therapeutic relationship. Their work is shaped by one or more models, such as cognitive-behavioural, psychodynamic, systemic, humanistic or integrative therapy. They meet individuals, couples, families or groups, usually in regular sessions, and spend time outside sessions on notes, preparation and their own supervision.
When to see a psychotherapist
Psychotherapy suits people who want to work in depth on recurring difficulties: anxiety, low mood, relationship patterns, self-esteem, the effects of past experiences or major life transitions. It can also help when you feel stuck without a clear diagnosis. If you need a formal diagnosis, a specific psychological assessment or medication, a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist may need to 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 Portugal cover psychological care?
Psychologists work in SNS primary care centres (centros de saúde) and hospitals, accessed through the family doctor. Waiting times are long: the Ordem dos Psicólogos reported waits of about six months for a first psychology appointment. University students can obtain free sessions through the government cheque-psicólogo programme.
How do I check that a psychotherapist is licensed in Portugal?
Ordem dos Psicólogos Portugueses (OPP): Registration with the OPP is a legal requirement to practise psychology, privately or in the SNS. Search by name or cédula number in the OPP member search.