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 Samoa
Public health system · Ministry of Health / National Health Services, Mental Health Unit at Tupua Tamasese Meaole (TTM) Hospital
Public mental health care is centred on the Mental Health Unit at TTM Hospital in Apia, which admits people with acute mental health conditions and runs community outreach with partners such as Goshen Trust, whose halfway house helps patients return to the community. Specialist capacity is very limited: in October 2024 Samoa had a single full-time practising psychiatrist, with a second, overseas psychiatrist due to join the Ministry of Health.
How to check that a professional is licensed
- Medical Council, through the Registrar of Healthcare Professionals (Ministry of Health). Under the Healthcare Professions Registration and Standards Act 2007 the Registrar keeps registers of healthcare professionals, including medical practitioners, and the professional councils set standards and handle complaints. Psychiatrists practise as registered medical practitioners; no specific statutory register for psychologists was found.
Urgent help in Samoa
If your life or someone else's is in danger, call the emergency number now. These services can help at any time:
- 911 · Emergency (911)
Information reviewed in November 2026 · Sources: samoaobserver.ws, samoa.tradeportal.org
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 Samoa cover psychological care?
Public mental health care is centred on the Mental Health Unit at TTM Hospital in Apia, which admits people with acute mental health conditions and runs community outreach with partners such as Goshen Trust, whose halfway house helps patients return to the community. Specialist capacity is very limited: in October 2024 Samoa had a single full-time practising psychiatrist, with a second, overseas psychiatrist due to join the Ministry of Health.
How do I check that a occupational therapist is licensed in Samoa?
Medical Council, through the Registrar of Healthcare Professionals (Ministry of Health): Under the Healthcare Professions Registration and Standards Act 2007 the Registrar keeps registers of healthcare professionals, including medical practitioners, and the professional councils set standards and handle complaints. Psychiatrists practise as registered medical practitioners; no specific statutory register for psychologists was found.