About LGBTQ+
LGBTQ+ affirmative professionals offer a safe, respectful space to explore identity, relationships, coming out, minority stress or discrimination, without pathologising sexual orientation or gender identity.
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 Serbia
How to check that a professional is licensed
- Ministry responsible for social protection, under the Law on the Conditions for Performing Psychological Activity (Official Gazette RS 25/96, 101/2005); ethics code issued by the Psychological Society of Serbia (Društvo psihologa Srbije). Psychological activity may be carried out by a psychology graduate who has passed the state professional exam, and some tasks require a specialisation. There is no psychologists' chamber or public licence register, so ask for the diploma and professional exam certificate.
- Serbian Medical Chamber (Lekarska komora Srbije). Doctors, including psychiatrists, need a licence from the Medical Chamber, which can be suspended or withdrawn. The Chamber publishes a list of licensed doctors.
Urgent help in Serbia
If your life or someone else's is in danger, call the emergency number now. These services can help at any time:
- 194 · Ambulancia (Хитна помоћ)
- 0800 309 309 · Национална СОС линија за превенцију самоубиства
Information reviewed in November 2026 · Sources: minrzs.gov.rs, kurir.rs, 021.rs
Signs to look out for
Being LGBTQ+ is not a mental health problem. However, discrimination, rejection, hiding who you are or living in an unsupportive environment can create stress that affects well-being. It may help to seek support if you feel anxious or low, isolated, unsafe, conflicted about your identity, struggling with coming out, facing family rejection, or affected by harassment or violence.
What helps: treatments and professionals
Look for affirmative therapy: psychologists, psychotherapists and other professionals who respect your identity and have training in sexual and gender diversity. Evidence-based approaches such as cognitive-behavioural therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy and family therapy can be adapted to address minority stress. So-called conversion therapies are harmful and rejected by professional bodies. Peer and community groups can complement professional support.
When to seek urgent help
If you are in immediate danger, have been assaulted, or are being threatened because of your identity, contact your local emergency services. Seek urgent help too if you have thoughts of suicide or self-harm, or if you have been thrown out of your home and have nowhere safe to go. Specialised LGBTQ+ organisations in many places can offer support and guidance.
What you can do in the meantime
Connect with people and spaces where you can be yourself, whether friends, community groups or trusted online communities. You decide when, how and to whom you come out; your safety comes first. Look for reliable, affirming information sources. Look after sleep, movement and routines, and limit exposure to hostile content online. Ask potential therapists directly about their experience with LGBTQ+ clients.
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
How do I check that a psychotherapist is licensed in Serbia?
Ministry responsible for social protection, under the Law on the Conditions for Performing Psychological Activity (Official Gazette RS 25/96, 101/2005); ethics code issued by the Psychological Society of Serbia (Društvo psihologa Srbije): Psychological activity may be carried out by a psychology graduate who has passed the state professional exam, and some tasks require a specialisation. There is no psychologists' chamber or public licence register, so ask for the diploma and professional exam certificate.